Gravity Rush 2 (review)

 After playing the original Gravity Rush on the PlayStation Vita, like many fans I was at first distraught from the fact that the sequel would be coming to the PlayStation 4, however, such as many die-hard fans of the first one, I simply got over the idea as it is still part of the PlayStation family. I understand vita fans feel as if they were slapped on the face, as if though PlayStation were deliberately spitting on the community in its own way saying "this would never sell on vita, so we are solely dedicated the second-one to the money-maker that has a larger player-base being that of the PS4." Unfortunately I can't vouch if everybody still feels the same way post release, nor am I sure if those who actually gave it chance enjoyed the action/adventure extravaganza which is Gravity Rush 2. The game in its entirety is wonderful, feeling as if though a third wasn't in the works, because the entire game as a whole feels like a complete package, wrapping up any loose ends to the first Gravity Rush game.

The switch from vita to its big brother PS4 diffidently felt old at the beginning, but over time with some brilliant game mechanics, controlling the main character Kat was easy to understand and control. There were some occasional camera stutters here-and-there, but same could be said for the original, and although its ashamed it couldn't be improved upon the next one, what does player expect when its a game centered upon the concept of gravity-manipulation. The overall experience felt magnificent, never before in a video game has it ever felt non-cumbersome to navigate ones protagonist around an open-world game, mainly to the games main way of getting from one place to another through flinging Kat from one stage of the area to another. Speaking of the world, the place is amazing; so much detail was placed in what feels like a B-budget game, obtaining the experience of a triple A, first-party title.  The side missions are up to par with that of the story missions, which says a lot consideration how much story there in Gravity Rush 2. 

The amount of precised detail added to the games functionality is truly outstanding. Now I'm not sure if bringing over the games gravity features were easy to incorporate into the PS4 as they were built from the ground up for vita, however, it carries over nicely into the second title, minus the few hiccups every now-and-then as previously mentioned. Still as far as any gravity game title goes, Kat's adventure is by far the least cumbersome and the most intuitive.

The world is vast and incredible filled with so much going on, there is even a selfie camera functionality added to game so when your ever running around the games playground, you can take a picture of anything including Kat with her multitude of gestures that can either be unlocked through either the main story or side missions, which once again are extremely entertaining. The online is there, but after a while may prove insignificant to the experience, although I did have a blast for what is was, still continue to do play every time I dive right into the open sand-box of floating islands.

 There are a few big powers added to the Kat's adventure; activated by the hardly used control touch-pad. By swiping up starts up a light-blue gaming style, propelling Kat into high altitudes. Swiping down makes Kat more heavier, giving the sensation that I was stronger and more powerful, however that is shortly lived as you unlock a more destructive force as that of the Panther Mode which is simply too awesome to describe. And if you'd like to switch back to normal mode, its just a touch-pad click away. Now before heading straight into the campaigns lore, it should be noted that this is a Japanese anime-like game, and as I'm sure many cult-fans know what means being that the game is incredibly convoluted, but not understandable as the game reveals all its secretes by the very end. Honestly, although the revealing of everything is great in its own way, it also feels puzzling as I don't think a third in the franchise can be made. Gravity Rush 2 just feels like a nice bow-tied gift for the fans, also that the only point of entry for old-timers, is that of purchasing the more expensive counterpart of the vita, being the PlayStation 4.

Before addressing the games story, I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the fact that SONY made a short animation explaining the quick-link between the the first adventure to where Kat starts off the the sequel. Anyways Kat has apparently landed in a small remote area after a gravity-storm, where the inhabitants need to collect ore as there primary means of export, and as many J-games go, the story goes way more expansive from there. We later find Kat's friend Raven, then find out there's a huge gap between the rich and more (giving the game a more understanding tone), and much like any game that incorporates time (which can easily to lose ones audience). Somehow I managed to grasp the story, and once one does it puts all the pieces into place. I would have to say the only negative with the story has to be how most sections seem as if though they were self-contained into sections. What appear to be the final moments in the game, end up being long epic battles that keep on going. This can be taken for what it is, long boss fights with surreal gravitas, or overstaying/tedious fights. However. I didn't mind as much do to my large experience in video games, but if your looking for a title featuring powerful females as the main characters, and a robust system with dare I say a little bit of fan-service, this is a terrific game for both any new-comers, but most importantly fans for the original Gravity Rush. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

 Tips & Tricks:

• This game eventually becomes a check-box 
• Trophies may take a while, but seem do-able 
• Overall gives off an enjoyable experience