Gravity Rush 2: A 'beautiful' sequel in an overlooked series

After a five-year absence, the fantasy world of Hekseville is back as Gravity Rush 2 prepares to launch.

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Gamers control Kat, the hero from the original game, as she begins to regain her powers following a violent gravity storm. Players can make Kat fly across the map by manipulating gravity – an ability she gets from her cat companion Dusty - and discover different missions around the vibrant city.

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The game incorporates various influences from Japanese role-playing and action games, combined with a visual style similar to an anime comic. Kat's abilities can be upgraded by collecting gems distributed across the map, while new outfits give a more personalised experience.

But can Gravity Rush 2 build on the success of the original and live up to fans expectations?

Forbes says the first instalment was unfairly overlooked on the PlayStation Vita, although a remastered version on PlayStation 4 "partly rectified this".

Luckily, it adds, Gravity Rush 2 is a "fantastic sequel" thanks to its "unique gravity based mechanics".

Players also have an "enormous amount of side missions" that are "almost all great fun and surprisingly varied" and will suck them into the "immense" game.

GameSpot says the combat mechanics feels similar to the original, which is both "exciting and unusual". Kat also learns two new combat styles, one which allows for better auto-targeting and another that lets her "hit harder", but the site feels the camera can "get temperamental on occasion" during tense fights.

With 20 core missions and 40 side missions, "boredom is never an issue", continues GameSpot. However, while basic missions never feel like "content filler", stealth missions can "wear thin" as they are not particularly challenging and fail to play on Kat's strengths.

Gravity Rush 2 also features a new treasure hunt mode, an interesting mechanic to invite players to "explore different parts of the city", IGN says, as photographing hidden areas can unlock "a few extra gems".

There are a few "story hiccups" and an occasionally frustrating camera, but these are not enough to hinder the excitement of Gravity Rush 2, adds the site, concluding that "well written side quests" and Kat's array of powers will keep players coming back for more.

What makes the game unique is its ability to surprise the player by constantly adding new powers and moves for Kat, says Trusted Reviews. The two combat styles both have their "advantages and limitations" and keep the exciting pace of the game going "after many hours".

The "mercifully brief" stealth missions and the occasionally frustrating camera angles can be forgiven, the site adds, as Gravity's "quirky charm" and "beautiful visual style" make it easy to fall in love with the game. The "punchy" comic-book scenes and Kat's continuously optimistic personality are also infectious and liven up the already "entertaining" campaign.

The Guardian, however, finds the missions are "far too repetitive" and can "feel like chores", particularly the stealth missions, which are both "inexplicable" and "tedious" to play through.

Playing the original Gravity Rush and watching the two-part anime movie posted on PlayStation's YouTube channel are also necessary to have "any hope of understanding the plot", it adds.

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Gravity Rush 2 launches on 20 January for £44.99 and is a PlayStation 4 exclusive.