Ghostrunner 2 Speedrunning Challenge Explained

Anyone who has been playing the recently released Ghostrunner 2 is eligible to compete in a speedrunning competition, organized by publisher 505 Games and Speedrun.com. The challenge is currently ongoing, and will force players to master Ghostrunner 2's tricks and exploits, with the promise of a worthwhile reward waiting for the top performers.

One look at either Ghostrunner game should make the franchise's compatibility with speedrunning clear. The games are centered around fast movement, quick critical thinking, on-the-fly decision-making, and unforgiving combat scenarios. The combination of brutal difficulty, exponentially expedient traversal options, and straightforward structure make it a perfect match for speedrunners looking to test their mettle.

The recently released sequel to the 2020 game recaptures the breakneck pace of its predecessor, encouraging players to clear the game as efficiently as possible. Speedrunning may seem easy in Ghostrunner 2, given the game's naturally speedy pace, but there are plenty of talented speedrunners that have already shown just how complex the challenge can be. Currently, the Ghostrunner 2 world record speedrun is just over an hour; the game usually takes at least seven hours to complete traditionally, according to current available data. That said, there is a good incentive for speedrunners to try and beat the current record.

Ghostrunner 2 Speedrunners Can Win Up to $5,000

With the first Ghostrunner proving to be such a good fit with speedrunning enthusiasts, 505 Games and Speedrun.com have organized a speedrunning competition with a prize pool of $10,000 for Ghostrunner 2 players. Anyone who has access to the game can join, and the category is Any%, meaning that the only objective is to reach the end credits of the game as fast as possible. The top ten performers will receive the following monetary rewards:

Ghostrunner 2 has new features in addition to the ones that have returned from the first game, so this competition is sure to be challenging for new and veteran players alike. Another thing to consider is that Ghostrunner 2 was only released on October 26 of this year, so players are still in the early days of discovering potential exploits and glitches that would be useful in a speedrunning challenge. That said, there has already been plenty of gameplay footage revealed that show how players are leveraging the game's physics and level design to clear areas in record time, with many more exploits likely to be revealed before the competition closes on November 9.

Despite the fact that Ghostrunner 2 differs from its predecessor in a number of ways, there's reason to believe that having a solid level of skill and experience with the first Ghostrunner will be of use to competitors. The rankings are currently led by Blaidan, who is the current world record holder for the Any% speedrun of the first Ghostrunner. Blaidan may have an edge in the contest, as they have proven their ability with the franchise once before, although there is still plenty of time for another competitor to seize the number-one spot.

Although the competition already began, it doesn't end until November 9, which gives prospective competitors ample time to throw their hat in the ring. The game isn't too long, either, so players still have an opportunity to experience Ghostrunner 2's cyberpunk dystopia at their own pace before trying to give the speedrun an honest shot. The game has plenty going for it outside its speedrunning potential, so even those who choose to skip the competition have a good chance of getting something out of the game.

Ghostrunner 2 is available to play on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

MORE: 13 Best Games With Time Control Mechanics