Sequel Ghostrunner 2 from 505 Games and One More Level is a game that improves on everything that its prequel did and then some. Check our Ghostrunner 2 review!
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Sequel Ghostrunner 2 from 505 Games and One More Level is a game that improves on everything that its prequel did and then some. I had fun taking on the challenge of Ghostrunner on PlayStation 4 back in 2020, smack in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. It offered an entertaining gameplay loop with fast-paced gameplay in which your powerful cyberninja could wreak havoc as you destroyed enemy after enemy while trying to stay alive since a single hit is all it takes to be defeated. It was followed up last year by the Ghostrunner Project_Hel DLC, which is a new story as a new character on a journey that bumped up the difficulty.
It’s now 2023, and we’re getting a full-fledged sequel that skips PlayStation 4 and lands straight on PlayStation 5. It’s been a year since the events of Ghostrunner, and Jack is back and ready for action. As you can tell from the trailer and screens in this Ghostrunner 2 review, the game is played from a first-person perspective, which means that those of you who are more susceptible to motion sickness might have a harder time taking this one for a spin. If you didn’t get to play the first Ghostrunner, you can go into the Extras menu and check out a recap of the “Previously in Ghostrunner” story.
After putting a stop to the Keymaster, the tyrant who ruled over Dharma Tower with a digital iron fist, Jack must once again jump into action, this time going beyond Dharma Tower to take on a dangerous AI cult. You’ll be working alongside the Interface Council to try and put a stop to the cult before it’s too late. Along with the abilities you used during your time with Ghostrunner, Jack will have some new abilities up his sleeve that will make the game’s flow feel even faster. Thanks to the power of the PlayStation 5, everything looks better, and the extra processing power has also been put to good use by having enemies that can adapt and react to how Jack fights.
If you played Ghostrunner or the Ghostrunner Project_Hel DLC, then you’ll have a good idea of how you’ll take on the journey that is Ghostrunner 2. You’ll be taking on the role of Jackk by using the left analog stick to run through each area as you use the right analog stick to control the camera, as you try to always stay one step ahead of your opponents. The game is a first-person action-platformer, and that means there will be a lot of jumping in your future, which is done by pressing the X button. The Circle button can be used to crouch. Pressing it while in motion will make your character slide.
Jack can also quickly dash either as he runs over some objects or to close a gap between his sword and an enemy foolish enough to try and stop him. You can slash away with the R2 button as you dice and slice your enemies. You can’t just slice your way to victory when there’s an area full of enemies, which is why it’s important that you know when to block by pressing the L1 button so that you can then use all your might when dealing the killing blow. Pressing the Square button will allow you to use your grapple, which is needed for some of the trickier platforming segments in the game, as well as to get closer to enemies when they least expect it.
The skills at Jack’s disposal will be mapped to the D-Pad so that you can quickly select the one that is needed and then use it by pressing the L2 button. Using your skills and always being on the move will be a must if you want to stay alive. Make a mistake, and you’ll be sent to the last checkpoint so that you can hopefully learn from said mistake so that you can press onward. Using a skill will consume some of your energy, which is the game’s way of balancing things. Defeat enemies to regain some so that you can continue with the cycle. The good news is that your energy will also replenish after a battle is won, so you can definitely go all-out and use every trick up your sleeve.
To spice things up, you’ll sometimes need to get on your cyberbike to traverse an area as you avoid obstacles and defeat the enemies who are too stubborn to take a hint. You won’t be able to jump on your cyberbike whenever you feel like it, but you will certainly get to enjoy them as they pop since they offer a nice change of pace. It helps to set the sequel apart from its prequel.
The game has a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy waiting to be added to your collection. The list is split into 15 Bronz trophies, 14 Silver trophies, and 4 Gold trophies for you to work on. That means there are plenty of objectives for you to work on, such as completing a level without dying, collecting all audiologs, defeating each of the bosses, buying your first upgrade chip, getting a 15x combo, completing a level without blocking, dying for the first time, defeat five enemies with a single exploding barrel, deflect ten bullets in a row, run over five enemies with your cyberbike, and complete a level without
Ghostrunner 2 is what you’d expect from a sequel: a game that takes what its predecessor did and improves on the whole thing. It’s a faster-paced experience with more abilities to use, a better-looking world that makes good use of the PlayStation 5’s processing power, and a story that expands on the lore and mythos of the cyberpunk world of Ghostrunner. Ghostrunner 2 is out tomorrow with a $39.99 price tag. You can also go all-in and buy the Ghostrunner 2 Brutal Edition, which goes for $69.99. This will give you access to the main game, extra skins for your sword and hand, hand hologram with PSN ID, aqua animated sword and hand skin, the design 24A motorcycle skin, and the season pass.
Disclaimer
This Ghostrunner 2 review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by 505 Games.
