Highlights
- Ghostrunner 2 aims to separate itself from its predecessor with changes to gameplay, world-building, and narrative, expanding upon the framework of the first game.
- Ghostrunner 2 introduces thrilling motorcycle gameplay that emphasizes reaction time and serves as visually appealing set-piece moments that can change the flow of a level, while still maintaining the simplicity and challenge of the first game.
- The sequel includes more downtime alongside its twists to the high-octane combat, featuring a new hub area where players can interact with NPCs.
One More Level's Ghostrunner 2 aims to recapture the frenetic, controller-gripping gameplay of its predecessor, but it also shakes up the formula quite a bit. While the sequel might seem very similar to 2020's Ghostrunner upon first glance, the developer has made strides to separate Ghostrunner 2 from the first game in areas pertaining to gameplay, world-building, and narrative.
The first Ghostrunner game was a breakout hit, especially among fans of indie games who enjoy a highly polished challenge. The title is extremely gameplay-focused, with very few cutscenes or moments where control is taken away from the player. This design decision proved to be a good one, as the unforgiving and fast-paced combat of Ghostrunner, coupled with its satisfying traversal mechanics, made for a game that was addictive, brutal, and complex. There was a story underlying the perfection-demanding gameplay, but it was told almost exclusively through radio communications, with virtually no NPCs to interact with face-to-face. It also featured a handful of brief, isolated environmental puzzles, but the focus of the game was on the combat and movement. While this worked for the first game, Ghostrunner 2 is expanding upon this framework.
Ghostrunner 2 Seems to Feature More Variety
Ghostrunner 2 aims to expand its cyberpunk setting through different gameplay opportunities. Some of these unique scenarios offer downtime, which could help with the pacing of the overall experience, while others maintain the series' signature high-octane gameplay, just with a few different twists that keep things fresh.
Perhaps the most significant change Ghostrunner 2 brings to the formula is the new hub area. Between certain missions, protagonist Jack will visit a sort of makeshift headquarters, where the player can interact with friendly NPCs and explore an environment that is ostensibly free from hostility and risk. This is a major departure from Ghostrunner's core gameplay loop, which didn't feature many opportunities to relax and take in the story. Time will tell just how content-rich this hub area is, but its mere existence already stands in stark contrast with the rest of the package. While some players may find these narrative-focused environments lackluster in comparison to the non-stop action of the first Ghostrunner, it will likely help break up the gameplay and hopefully allow the player to connect with Ghostrunner 2's NPCs.
Ghostrunner 2's reveal trailer made a splash with the reveal of the game's motorcycle, which seems to up the ante when it comes to thrilling traversal gameplay. Movement in Ghostrunner is mostly parkour-inspired, with the agile protagonist leaping from wall to wall, sliding under obstacles, and grappling into and out of safety. The motorcycle gameplay takes the design philosophy of this movement system and presses the fast-forward button, shuttling the player along linear tracks with little to no opportunity to catch their breath. The result is a selection of gameplay segments that place a higher focus on reaction time than precision, while serving as impressive and visually appealing set-piece moments that can change the flow of a level.
Part of what makes the first Ghostrunner so appealing is its simplicity. While there are various exploits and tricks Ghostrunner players can use to make the game easier or flashier, the experience is mostly straightforward, with the challenge revolving more around achieving perfection than adapting to a number of different scenarios. The sequel attempts to recapture that sense of brutal simplicity, but the content on offer also expands the framework of the game. This lets Ghostrunner 2 recreate the successes of its predecessor, while keeping the experience even more engaging via diverse gameplay and narrative moments.
Ghostrunner 2 is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
