Released in 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Gravity Rush 2 takes the foundation laid by its predecessor and expands on it in every way. Developed by Japan Studio and directed by Keiichiro Toyama, the game continues the adventures of Kat, the gravity-shifting heroine, as she explores new locations, meets new characters, and uncovers even more secrets about the world around her. With its ambitious open-world design, improved gravity-shifting mechanics, and a vibrant, expanded story, Gravity Rush 2 offers players a grander, more immersive experience. But does it live up to the innovative promise of the original?
This review will explore the key elements of Gravity Rush 2, from its gameplay and story to its visual presentation and sound design, while also touching on what makes it a worthy sequel.
Story and Plot: Expanding Kat’s World
A Journey Beyond Hekseville
Gravity Rush 2 picks up where the original game left off. Kat, alongside her loyal companion Dusty and her friend Syd, finds herself swept away to a mysterious floating city called Banga Village. This new setting provides a fresh backdrop for Kat’s adventures, where she works as a miner and continues to use her gravity-shifting abilities to help the people around her. However, as she unravels the mysteries of this new world, Kat is drawn back to Hekseville, her old home, where political turmoil and hidden threats await.
The sequel’s narrative is more complex and grander in scale than the first game, delving deeper into the origins of Kat’s powers and the fate of the world. Kat’s role as a protector grows as she finds herself entangled in conflicts that span entire cities, with powerful enemies and allies alike. While the story introduces some new characters and subplots, it also provides satisfying closure for long-standing mysteries from the first game.
Characters and Relationships: New Faces and Old Friends
Kat remains the heart and soul of the game, with her infectious optimism and determined spirit driving the narrative forward. In Gravity Rush 2, her relationships with the people around her—both new faces and returning characters—are given more depth. Raven, Kat’s former rival and fellow gravity shifter, plays a larger role in this game, with their friendship evolving as they work together to save the world.
Other new characters, like the Banga Village leader Lisa and the enigmatic Vogo, help flesh out the game’s world, adding new layers of intrigue to the story. The expanded cast brings both humor and drama to the plot, keeping players invested in the outcome of Kat’s journey.
Gameplay: Mastering Gravity Like Never Before
Expanded Gravity-Shifting Abilities
The core gameplay mechanic in Gravity Rush 2 is, of course, gravity shifting, but the sequel introduces a wealth of new features that enhance the experience. Kat can still fly through the air, walk on walls, and deliver devastating gravity kicks to enemies, but now she has access to two new gravity styles: Lunar and Jupiter.
- Lunar Style: This style makes Kat lighter and more agile, allowing her to jump higher and move faster. It’s perfect for quick, nimble movements and precise platforming.
- Jupiter Style: In contrast, the Jupiter style makes Kat heavier and more powerful, enabling her to deliver crushing attacks that can obliterate enemies and objects. It’s slower but packs a punch in combat situations.
These new styles add depth to both exploration and combat, allowing players to switch between them on the fly depending on the situation. This dynamic system makes combat feel fresh and varied throughout the game.
Combat: A Refined and Fluid Experience
The combat system in Gravity Rush 2 builds on the foundations of the first game, refining the mechanics to make battles more fluid and engaging. Kat’s gravity kicks are faster, and the addition of the new gravity styles allows for more strategic play. Players can use the Lunar style to dodge enemy attacks with ease, then switch to the Jupiter style for a heavy counterattack.
The game also introduces more varied enemy types, from the returning Nevi to human enemies and massive bosses. These new enemy designs require players to think tactically, using Kat’s full range of abilities to gain the upper hand. While the combat can occasionally feel chaotic, it’s undeniably satisfying to take down enemies using Kat’s gravity-defying moves.
Open-World Exploration: A Bigger, More Diverse World
One of the biggest changes in Gravity Rush 2 is the sheer size of the world. The game’s open world is significantly larger than in the first game, featuring multiple cities and environments to explore. Each area is distinct, with its own unique architecture, culture, and atmosphere. From the industrial, gritty feel of Banga Village to the sprawling, cosmopolitan Hekseville, Gravity Rush 2 offers a richly detailed world that feels alive and immersive.
Exploration is a major part of the game, with side missions, treasure hunts, and challenge missions scattered throughout the world. Kat’s gravity powers make traversing the landscape a joy, as players can zoom across the sky, dive between buildings, and uncover hidden areas with ease. The larger world gives players more freedom to explore and encourages them to fully engage with the environment.
Side Quests and Missions: Adding Depth to the World
The side missions in Gravity Rush 2 offer a variety of objectives that range from combat challenges to character-driven stories. While some side quests are light-hearted and humorous, others delve deeper into the game’s lore and world-building, allowing players to learn more about the people and places around them. Completing side missions rewards players with valuable upgrades and gems, which can be used to improve Kat’s abilities.
Challenge missions return as well, testing players’ gravity-shifting skills in time trials and combat scenarios. These missions are often difficult but rewarding, providing a nice break from the main story.
Visuals and Art Style: A Vibrant World in Motion
A Stunning Art Direction
Visually, Gravity Rush 2 is a feast for the eyes. The game’s cel-shaded art style gives it a unique, hand-drawn look that makes it stand out from other open-world games. The environments are beautifully rendered, with vibrant colors and detailed textures bringing the cities and landscapes to life. Each location feels distinct and immersive, from the bustling streets of Hekseville to the ethereal floating islands of the Rift Planes.
The game’s use of verticality is also impressive, with buildings stretching high into the sky and deep caverns hidden below. Kat’s ability to shift gravity allows players to explore these vertical spaces in ways that feel natural and fluid. The sense of scale when flying between towering structures or diving into the depths of a city is awe-inspiring, creating a truly immersive experience.
Dynamic Visual Effects and Attention to Detail
The dynamic visual effects in Gravity Rush 2 enhance the overall experience. Whether it’s the swirling dust and debris as Kat launches herself into the air or the sparkling light trails she leaves behind, the game’s attention to detail is remarkable. The visual effects help reinforce the feeling of weightlessness and movement, making every gravity shift feel impactful.
The game’s comic book-style cutscenes also return, adding a playful and artistic touch to the storytelling. These cutscenes are well-animated and fit seamlessly into the overall aesthetic of the game.
Soundtrack and Audio: A Symphony of Adventure
A Mesmerizing Score by Kohei Tanaka
The music in Gravity Rush 2, composed by Kohei Tanaka, is as captivating as ever. The orchestral score perfectly captures the mood of the game, with sweeping melodies that evoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Each area in the game has its own unique musical theme, from the upbeat tunes of Banga Village to the more somber and mysterious tracks that play during story moments.
The soundtrack enhances the emotional impact of key scenes, making them feel more epic and memorable. The music is not only a background element but an integral part of the game’s atmosphere, elevating the overall experience.
Sound Design and Voice Acting
Gravity Rush 2 continues the use of the fictional language introduced in the first game, adding charm and personality to the dialogue. While the game does not have full voice acting, the characters’ expressive voices and the gibberish language help bring the world to life.
The sound design is equally impressive, with the swoosh of Kat’s movements through the air and the thundering impact of her gravity kicks adding to the sense of power and speed. The game’s audio design further immerses players in the action, making every gravity shift feel satisfying.
Challenges and Replayability: More Than Just a One-Time Adventure
New Game+ and Post-Game Content
For players who want to continue their adventure after completing the main story, Gravity Rush 2 offers a New Game+ mode. This mode allows players to replay the game with all their previous upgrades and abilities, making it easier to tackle tougher missions and enemies. Additionally, the game features post-game content that adds more challenges and story missions, providing plenty of reasons to keep playing.
The sheer size of the world and the number of side missions and collectibles mean that players can easily spend dozens of hours exploring everything the game has to offer.
Conclusion: A Gravity-Defying Sequel That Soars High
Gravity Rush 2 takes everything that made the original game special and amplifies it. With expanded gravity-shifting mechanics, a larger and more detailed world, and a deeper, more complex story, the game delivers a satisfying and thrilling adventure. Kat remains an endearing and relatable protagonist, and the gravity-shifting gameplay continues to feel fresh and innovative.
While the game’s ambitious scale can
occasionally lead to some minor pacing issues, the overall experience is one of wonder and excitement. For fans of the first game and newcomers alike, Gravity Rush 2 offers an unforgettable journey through a world where the laws of gravity no longer apply. It’s a must-play for anyone looking for a unique and visually stunning action-adventure game.
