Gravity Rush 2
- January 20, 2017
- SIEA
Gravity Rush is solid fun on the PS4 with a really fun protagonist, enjoyable gaming mechanics and a way to become involved in interactive anime... just be wary, the controls can be annoying at times.
"Gravity Rush 2" is a single-player action game with a spectacular story. The player controls Kat, a gravity queen who can manipulate gravity, in her search for answers about her origin. With the help of Raven, she must master three unique gravity attack styles to defeat a new danger threatening the universe. The game offers a mind-bending adventure with exciting enemies and massive bosses.
Reviews
- Gravity Rush 2 features a beautifully crafted open world with vibrant graphics and a unique art style that enhances the overall experience.
- The gameplay mechanics, particularly the gravity-shifting abilities, provide a fun and innovative way to traverse the environment and engage in combat, making it a refreshing experience.
- The story is engaging, with well-developed characters and emotional depth, particularly in how it expands on Kat's backstory and her relationships with other characters.
- The camera controls can be frustrating, especially during aerial combat and gravity sliding, leading to disorienting gameplay experiences.
- Some side missions feel repetitive and drawn out, detracting from the overall pacing and enjoyment of the game.
- There are occasional technical issues, such as frame rate drops and problems with mission direction, which can hinder the gameplay experience.
- story108 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game is conveyed through engaging comic book-inspired cutscenes and a well-structured mission system, with color-coded maps that enhance navigation. Players appreciate the depth of the main character's origin and the charm of the world, although some side missions can feel repetitive and detract from the main narrative flow. Overall, the story is considered captivating and enjoyable, especially for those familiar with the first game, but it occasionally suffers from pacing issues and unclear mission objectives.
“The characters have great designs, the world is vast and filled with a sense of wonder, and the story fully fleshes out its main character in her own secret origin.”
“Gravity Rush 2 is a fantastic game; I think that the way the story is told is fascinating and unique.”
“Everything from the world, characters, story, music, art, and aesthetics are captivating.”
“The mission design is atrocious, with very vague directions on where to go for numerous missions.”
“The missions themselves aren't much better, with the worst stealth missions I've ever seen.”
“Quests are repetitive and the main story doesn't flow well.”
- gameplay45 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its unique gravity-shifting mechanics, which provide a refreshing and enjoyable experience, particularly in traversal and combat. While some players find certain missions and mechanics frustrating or limiting, the overall consensus is that the game offers a fun and engaging experience, enhanced by improved graphics and design elements. Newcomers will appreciate the smooth introduction to the mechanics, making it accessible while still challenging for seasoned players.
“This starting premise is a great way for newcomers to be introduced to Kat and ease into the game’s mechanics.”
“The core gameplay of changing the direction of gravity to fall instead of flying is unique and fun, and is by far the best part of the experience.”
“The gameplay is smooth and fun.”
“However, I really think the game falls short in gameplay and doesn't improve on much.”
“The core mechanic this game is based around is barely used.”
“The game is entertaining as an anime experience, but the story is weak and the movements of the gameplay get tiring after a while.”
- music18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with a standout song featuring lyrics that resonates with players. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's diversity, ranging from classical to jazz, and its perfect alignment with the game's atmosphere and narrative. Overall, the music is considered a significant contributor to the game's artistic and immersive qualities.
“The music is really good and reflects the situation perfectly.”
“The characters are well-written and likeable, the visuals are gorgeous, and the soundtrack is quite unlike anything I've heard in a game.”
“Fantastic game with an absolutely fantastic soundtrack as well.”
“Or you may find it strange that she would have such a particular song in her head at all while not recalling the song that plays when you make that apple fall from the tree in the first game.”
“Do not forget about that opening song in Gravity Rush 1 when you made that apple fall off that tree.”
“I have the song even though I have no idea what they're saying.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, watercolor-like aesthetic reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and other classic titles, creating a vibrant and captivating visual experience. Players appreciate the beautiful character designs and the overall art style, which enhances the emotional depth of the narrative and gameplay. The combination of colorful visuals and a unique art direction contributes to a truly special gaming experience that stands out in recent years.
“Characters generally have softer features that are more in line with Studio Ghibli’s art style.”
“Graphics: it feels like you are running through a watercolor manga.”
“The visuals are gorgeous, and the soundtrack is quite unlike anything I've heard in a game.”
“Graphics: it feels like you are running through a watercolor manga.”
“In reference to other games, I can see Jet Set Radio for the cell-shaded graphics and Skies of Arcadia for the floating cities.”
“The graphics are colorful.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the series is profound, culminating in a heartbreaking ending that resonates deeply with players, evoking strong feelings akin to those experienced in other iconic games. Many users report being moved to tears, highlighting the game's ability to create a lasting emotional connection.
“A heartbreaking ending for a masterpiece series doomed for obscurity.”
“And it's not going to end with her waking up in her home down in the pipe under Auldnoir, but I'll leave you to discover that heart-wrenching conclusion on your own.”
“Plus, it nearly made me cry, and only four other games have done that (Final Fantasy X, Mother, Mother 2, and Mother 3).”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game successfully balances its darker themes with a fun and humorous tone, featuring entertaining moments, particularly with the character Kat. Overall, players appreciate the blend of great gameplay and humor throughout the experience.
“Despite some of the darker themes, the game has a very fun and humorous tone!”
“Great gameplay and some funny moments with Kat!”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Gravity Rush 2 is praised for its impressive diversity and immersive locations, maintaining the high standards set by its predecessor. Reviewers highlight that the game's atmosphere, alongside its gameplay, soundtrack, and story, contributes significantly to its overall excellence.
“Now that I have covered the light spoilers, let's move on to the game itself. The locations and diversity in atmosphere in Gravity Rush 2 are as amazing as in the first game.”
“This didn't impact my score much because the game itself is a masterpiece in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, soundtrack, and story.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization for the base PS4 version of the game has been criticized, particularly in the transition from Jirga Para Lhao to Hekseville, indicating that Japan Studios did not adequately ensure performance stability.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report minor stability issues, including occasional glitches like getting stuck in tight spaces, but these are generally considered manageable and do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience.
“There are a few glitches that can be easily overlooked, such as when your head gets stuck in the roof in tight spots.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay, including freezing and unexpected errors.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the character development is prominently showcased, allowing players to form strong connections with the characters throughout the game.
“The graphics are amazing, and the character development is much more obvious, allowing you to build strong connections along the way.”
“The depth of character development really enhances the storytelling, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
“I love how the choices you make influence character growth, leading to meaningful relationships and impactful story arcs.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that while the game is playable on PS4, the region-locking of DLC can hinder replayability, as players may not have access to additional content based on their region. This limitation can affect the overall experience and motivation to replay the game.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that while some side missions can become tedious, this grinding aspect does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Some of the side missions get a bit tedious, but it doesn't take much away from the overall game.”
“The grinding feels repetitive and can become a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“I found myself spending too much time on grinding, which detracted from the overall experience.”
Critic Reviews
Gravity Rush 2 Review – A Step Up From Its Predecessor
Gravity Rush 2 is a game designed for those who are looking for a lot of fun in a little package. There is never a shortage of tasks to accomplish - even if they are sometimes boring - and combat that takes getting used to but overall this game will leave a smile on your face.
80%Gravity Rush 2 Review
Even though the core of Gravity Rush 2 remains largely unchanged, you'll be hard pushed to find a fresher open world title in a sea of Grand Theft Auto and Assassin's Creed clones. Kat's traversal mechanic is still among the most satisfying that the sandbox genre has to offer, and an endearing cast of characters means that you'll actively want to spend time in their world. The combat and mission structure may still be this series' biggest shortcoming, but colourful scenarios mean that you'll stick around long enough to see the sizeable story and its many side-quests through. So, while not everyone will be dazed by what this release has to offer, the sequel should at the very least ensure that existing fans continue singing Kat's chorus.
70%Gravity Rush 2 review: "An original, inventive world held back by rote mission design"
When Gravity Rush 2 sticks to its strengths, it soars; it’s a shame that its stale mission design and clumsy controls keep it from getting too high off the ground.
60%