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Gravity Rush 2

Gravity Rush 2 is a 2017 action-adventure video game developed by Japan Studio and Project Siren and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 4.^[1]^[2] As the sequel to the 2012 title Gravity Rush, it centers on protagonist Kat, an amnesiac girl with the ability to manipulate gravity, who finds herself stranded in a new floating mining town called Jirga Para Lhao following a catastrophic gravity storm that separates her from her home and initially strips her of her powers.^[3]^[4] The game's narrative explores Kat's quest to regain her abilities, uncover her origins, and confront existential threats to the universe alongside allies like the former antagonist Raven and the mechanic Syd, blending themes of identity, friendship, and cosmic mystery.^[3]^[5] Gameplay revolves around innovative gravity-shifting mechanics, allowing players to shift the direction of gravity to traverse environments, engage in dynamic combat against foes and massive bosses, and solve environmental puzzles in a vast open world.^[2] Kat can master three distinct gravity styles—her original balanced approach, a light style for swift, low-gravity maneuvers, and a heavy style for powerful, high-gravity slams—enhancing exploration and aerial combat in the game's cel-shaded world inspired by French comics and Japanese manga.^[3]^[4] Released on January 18, 2017, in Europe, January 19 in Japan, and January 20 in North America, Gravity Rush 2 expands significantly on its predecessor with a larger scale, more side activities like mining challenges and street fights, and improved visuals optimized for the PS4.^[1]^[6] The title received critical acclaim for its creative mechanics, artistic direction, and engaging story, earning an aggregate score of 80 on Metacritic, though some noted its episodic structure and occasional technical issues.^[2] It is backward compatible on PlayStation 5, allowing modern players to experience its unique physics-based adventure.^[7]

Gameplay

Core mechanics

Kat possesses the unique ability to manipulate gravity, allowing her to shift the direction of her fall at will, which enables fluid, flight-like movement across environments by aligning gravitational pull toward any surface or vector. This core mechanic permits her to "pull" or "push" herself toward walls, ceilings, or distant objects, facilitating seamless traversal in three dimensions without traditional jumping or climbing limitations. The system relies on a gravity gauge that depletes during sustained shifts or advanced maneuvers, requiring periodic recharging through brief grounding on stable surfaces or natural falling to restore the meter.^[8]^[9]^[7] The primary open-world hub, Jirga Para Lhao, is a sprawling, vertically oriented mining settlement suspended in the sky, composed of multiple layered districts ranging from impoverished lower slums built with corrugated metal to bustling upper industrial zones. This design emphasizes extreme verticality, with gravity shifting essential for navigating towering structures, chasms, and interconnected platforms, while destructible environmental elements like breakable barriers and debris respond dynamically to the player's physics-based interactions. Exploration encourages free-roaming discovery, enhanced by photo-based treasure hunts that reveal hidden gems scattered throughout the city's nooks.^[8]^[10] Missions integrate tightly with these mechanics, comprising 27 main story episodes and over 40 side quests that blend narrative progression with open-ended challenges, typically spanning 20 to 40 hours of total playtime depending on completion level. Transitions between exploration and objectives occur without loading screens, allowing players to shift from free navigation to task-focused sequences mid-stride. Environmental puzzles further leverage gravity manipulation, such as using stasis fields to suspend and reposition objects like blocks or machinery to access new areas or resolve blockages, promoting creative problem-solving within the physics framework.^[8]^[11]

Combat styles

In Gravity Rush 2, combat revolves around three distinct gravity styles that alter protagonist Kat's movement, attack power, and tactical options, allowing players to adapt to diverse enemy encounters. The original style serves as the balanced default, providing standard gravity manipulation for versatile melee combos and aerial maneuvers without specialized strengths or weaknesses.^[12] Lunar style reduces gravity's pull, making Kat lighter and more agile with enhanced speed, higher jumps, and floatier controls ideal for anti-air combat against flying foes.^[13] In contrast, Jupiter style increases gravity's force, slowing Kat's mobility but amplifying her weight and strike damage for devastating ground-based assaults effective against infantry clusters.^[12] Players switch between styles mid-combat using the DualShock 4 touchpad: swiping up activates Lunar style, swiping down engages Jupiter, and the original reverts automatically or via neutral input, enabling fluid transitions to exploit enemy vulnerabilities without interrupting combos.^[14] Each style integrates with Kat's core gravity shifting for positioning, such as launching into aerial strikes in Lunar mode before grounding with Jupiter for follow-ups. Upgrades for these styles are unlocked through skill categories such as Fighting, Gravity Kick, Stasis Field, and style-specific abilities, purchased with Precious Gems collected from missions and exploration, enhancing attributes like combo length, special move potency, and abilities such as homing vortex throws in Lunar style or seismic surges in Jupiter style.^[15] The game's enemies include ethereal Nevi creatures that hover and swarm, human soldiers deploying in groups, and massive mechs requiring targeted weak-point attacks; Lunar style counters aerial Nevi with rapid pursuits and area-denial stasis throws that linger to slow groups, while Jupiter excels against ground-based soldiers and mechs by delivering heavy, crowd-clearing stomps and charged blasts.^[16] In select boss battles and co-op segments, ally Raven provides assistance through synchronized gravity shifts, amplifying Kat's style effects like joint anti-air barrages in Lunar or reinforced ground pounds in Jupiter to overwhelm larger threats.^[17]

Exploration and missions

In Gravity Rush 2, exploration emphasizes a vast open world that encourages players to navigate layered, vertically oriented environments using Kat's gravity-shifting abilities. The game's map is approximately 2.5 times larger than that of its predecessor, featuring expansive areas like the mining town of Jirga Para Lhao and the returning city of Hekseville, with multiple districts stacked in altitude for dynamic traversal.^[18] Players can unlock fast travel points by interacting with Warp Manholes scattered throughout the cities, allowing quick relocation between districts once discovered, though these must be manually located without map markers.^[19] Hidden areas, such as tucked-away alleys in residential zones or elevated platforms above industrial sectors, reward thorough searching with collectibles like moon stones and treasure chests that contribute to upgrades.^[10] Side missions form a core part of the exploration loop, offering diverse objectives that deepen character backstories and provide practical rewards. These quests, accessed via speech bubbles on the map from NPCs in specific locations, often involve time-sensitive challenges, such as racing against environmental hazards or gathering resources under constraints, alongside narrative-driven tasks like assisting locals with personal dilemmas.^[20] For instance, some missions involve collecting Precious Gems—a currency dropped by enemies or found in the environment—to upgrade Kat's health, stamina, or special abilities via the skill trees, with full enhancements requiring approximately 87,000 Precious Gems.^[4]^[21] Other examples include photo challenges where players capture specific scenes or subjects, such as scenic landmarks or quirky residents, to earn Dusty Tokens used for cosmetic unlocks; these photos are asynchronously shared with other players for rating, fostering a cooperative element.^[22] Racing mini-games add variety to exploration, integrated as optional challenges that test navigation skills across the terrain. Accessed through designated spots in the cities after progressing in the story or side missions, these include freestyle races emphasizing aerial maneuvers, sliding races along surfaces, and style-specific variants using Lunar or Jupiter gravity modes to reach checkpoints within time limits. Completing them yields gold medals for high scores, contributing to overall progression without being mandatory for the main storyline.^[4] Post-game content extends replayability through dedicated challenge modes unlocked after the main story, focusing on high-difficulty trials and competitive elements. These modes feature leaderboards for races and combat trials, as well as treasure hunts where players locate hidden caches using clues, all tied to server-based asynchronous multiplayer for global comparisons.^[23] However, following the server shutdown on July 18, 2018, features like photo reviewing, Dusty Token rewards from online interactions, and dynamic leaderboards became unavailable, limiting some rewards to offline play while preserving local challenge access.^[24]

Setting and story

World and setting

Gravity Rush 2 is set in a surreal, gravity-defying world where massive floating islands serve as habitable metropolises suspended above a mysterious planet's surface. The primary location is Jirga Para Lhao, a vast mining city characterized by stark vertical stratification that mirrors its rigid class system. The city consists of four layers: the lowest, Lei Elgona, with ramshackle slums; the middle layer, Lei Colmosna, featuring bustling marketplaces; the upper layer, Lei Havina, with opulent mansions inhabited by the elite, who oversee a militarized bureaucracy; and the highest, Avarash au Govena, the seat of the ruling Council. The upper echelons consist of opulent mansions inhabited by the elite, who oversee a militarized bureaucracy; the middle layers feature bustling marketplaces teeming with middle-class vendors and workers; and the lower depths, known as Lei Elgona, house the impoverished underclass in ramshackle slums of corrugated metal and wooden huts, often dismissed as criminal elements by official propaganda. This division underscores the city's themes of social inequality and economic disparity, with the lower districts miles below the vibrant upper areas, emphasizing the game's exploration of verticality and societal divides.^[25]^[26]^[27] The universe's lore revolves around pervasive gravity anomalies that destabilize the environment, stemming from invasions by the Nevi—oily, shadowy creatures with red eyes and tentacle-like appendages that resemble distorted earthly animals, such as fish or birds, but twisted into alien horrors. These anomalies force humanity to rely on enormous floating structures, including the giant gravity stones, which act as gravity-stabilizing anchors supporting cities like Jirga Para Lhao and the returning Hekseville from the first game. The Nevi's disruptions create a backdrop of constant peril, with miners in specialized deep-diving suits extracting resources from the planet's lower, alien landscapes amid these threats. This cosmic instability ties into multiverse elements, as the story expands the scope beyond the original game's confines, introducing parallel realities and interdimensional shifts.^[5] The setting connects directly to the broader Gravity Rush series, with Jirga Para Lhao representing a new hub in an alternate universe accessed after events in Hekseville, the European-inspired city from the 2012 original. A prequel anime short, Gravity Rush: The Animation - Overture, produced by Studio Khara, bridges the narrative gap between the first game and its sequel, exploring transitional lore without delving into the main events. Visually, the world employs a distinctive cel-shaded art style that evokes 1950s retro aesthetics fused with science fiction, drawing influences from French comic artist Moebius and Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki for its whimsical yet gritty urban designs—bright, colorful anime-inspired districts contrast with the drab, sprawling slums, enhancing the thematic depth of class and otherworldliness.^[5]^[28]

Plot summary

Kat and her companion Dusty, along with friend Syd, are transported through a mysterious gravity vortex shortly after the events of the first game, landing far from their home in Hekseville. Stranded in a new world dominated by the floating industrial city of Jirga Para Lhao, Kat loses her gravity-shifting powers initially and must work as a miner in the oppressed lower-class Banga settlement to scrape together funds for a way back. This setup thrusts her into a stratified society ruled by the exploitative upper-class Council, setting the stage for her gradual rediscovery of her abilities.^[5]^[29]^[30] As Kat regains her powers during a monster attack, she becomes entangled in central conflicts: liberating the downtrodden workers from their oppressors' control, battling hordes of shadowy Nevi creatures that threaten the city, and confronting a mad scientist antagonist whose experiments endanger the world. These struggles highlight themes of social inequality and resistance, with Kat using her gravity manipulation to fight government forces and terrorist groups alike. Reuniting with key allies like Raven strengthens her resolve, allowing her to tackle escalating threats.^[5]^[31]^[4] The narrative progresses through major arcs involving the uncovering of multiverse dangers posed by unstable gravity rifts and cosmic entities, culminating in a high-stakes confrontation amid a massive black hole. This climax forces Kat to navigate interdimensional chaos to protect reality itself. The story resolves with profound implications for the series, incorporating time displacement that alters Kat's circumstances and leaves lingering questions about her origins and future.^[5]^[32]

Characters

Kat is the protagonist of Gravity Rush 2, a young woman suffering from amnesia who possesses the extraordinary ability to shift gravity, enabling her to walk on walls, fly, and manipulate her surroundings in combat and exploration. Transported from Hekseville to the mining settlement of Banga following a gravity storm, Kat adapts by working as a miner to support herself and her friends, demonstrating her growth from a carefree heroine to a more responsible protector who actively aids the community against threats like Nevi incursions. Her design features a stylish, practical outfit suited for mining and action, emphasizing her agile and determined personality.^[33] Dusty serves as Kat's inseparable companion, a small, feline-like creature with luminous, twinkle-patterned fur that acts as the conduit for her gravity-shifting powers. Non-verbal and affectionate, Dusty remains by Kat's side throughout the game, influencing her abilities by changing form to enhance different gravity styles, such as lunar or Jupiter modes, and playing a pivotal role in both story progression and side quests without direct dialogue.^[33] Syd is Kat's reliable ally and tech enthusiast, a former police officer from Hekseville who is transported to Banga alongside her and Dusty. Skilled in mechanics and invention, Syd provides essential support through gadgets and repairs, often joining Kat in missions to combat enemies or solve environmental puzzles, while his humorous and laid-back demeanor offers contrast to the game's intense action.^[33] Raven returns as a key ally, a enigmatic gravity shifter who wields dual powers allowing her to control both upward and downward gravity, distinguishing her from Kat's style. Initially portrayed as a rival in the previous game, Raven's arc in Gravity Rush 2 sees her transition to a cooperative partner, collaborating with Kat on major threats and revealing deeper insights into the world's lore through her unique perspective and backstory. Her sleek, gothic design and confident personality highlight her evolution from antagonist to trusted comrade.^[34] Dr. Brahman emerges as a primary antagonist, a brilliant yet unhinged scientist whose experiments with gravity and Nevi technology drive much of the conflict. Portrayed as soft-spoken and philosophical on the surface, Brahman manipulates events from the shadows, deploying robotic defenses and angelic constructs to achieve his enigmatic goals, making him a formidable intellectual foe to Kat and her allies.^[35] Military leaders in the game represent oppressive forces within the setting's hierarchy, enforcing strict control over resources and populations through armed patrols and advanced weaponry, often clashing with Kat during missions that involve protecting civilians or uncovering conspiracies. These characters underscore themes of authority and resistance, serving as recurring human adversaries alongside supernatural threats.^[33] The Nevi queen entity functions as a central antagonistic force, an otherworldly being commanding hordes of scarab-like Nevi monsters that invade from rifts, posing existential dangers to the world. This enigmatic queen drives large-scale battles, requiring Kat to harness her powers at full potential, and ties into broader revelations about the universe's balance.^[33] Supporting the cast is Addie (also known as Cecie), a young, reserved child adopted by settlement leader Lisa, who becomes a sidekick figure in various side quests. Shy and daydream-prone, Addie integrates into Kat's adventures through herding tasks and personal stories that explore themes of family and growth, providing emotional depth and lighter moments amid the main narrative.^[33]

Production

Development

Development of Gravity Rush 2 began following the 2012 release of the original Gravity Rush, with Keiichiro Toyama returning as director at Sony Interactive Entertainment's Japan Studio, in collaboration with Project Siren (also known as Team Gravity).^[18] The project aimed to build on the first game's gravity-shifting mechanics while exploring deeper character development for protagonist Kat, emphasizing her maturity and personal growth.^[18] The sequel was first teased at the 2013 Tokyo Game Show with a brief trailer, presented under its Japanese working title Gravity Daze 2 and hinting at continued adventures in a floating world.^[36] Full details emerged at the 2015 Tokyo Game Show, where Sony confirmed the title as Gravity Rush 2 and its exclusive development for PlayStation 4, marking a shift from the Vita-exclusive original. In October 2016, Sony announced a delay from its planned December release to January 2017, citing the need for additional polishing despite smooth overall production. Key challenges during production involved significantly expanding the game's world to 2.5–3 times the size of the original, incorporating densely populated cities inspired by real locations in Mexico and Asia, alongside independently floating islands.^[18] The team faced technical hurdles in simulating realistic physics for these larger environments, including new gravity-shifting styles like Lunar and Jupiter modes, to maintain seamless exploration and combat.^[18] Another significant aspect was integrating asynchronous multiplayer features, such as shared treasure hunts, challenge leaderboards, and photo reviewing, which required robust server infrastructure; however, these online elements proved unsustainable, leading to the shutdown of servers in July 2018 after a fan campaign delayed the initial January closure.^[24]^[37] Visual and stylistic influences drew from anime series like Kamen Rider and Sailor Moon for the cel-shaded aesthetic, combined with comic book inspirations such as Jean Giraud's Mœbius works and The Incal, to enhance the game's vibrant, otherworldly atmosphere and dynamic action sequences.^[18] These elements were refined to leverage the PS4's capabilities, allowing for more intricate particle effects and fluid animations in gravity-based traversal and battles.^[38] Following the completion of Gravity Rush 2, director Keiichiro Toyama departed Japan Studio in December 2017 to establish his own independent studio, resulting in the dissolution of Project Siren/Team Gravity.^[39]

Design and audio

The visual design of Gravity Rush 2 prominently features a cel-shaded style for characters, characterized by bold outlines, hard-edged shadows, and vibrant colors that evoke the aesthetic of Franco-Belgian bande dessinée comics. This approach contrasts with more realistic backdrops, creating a hybrid look that blends comic book flair with immersive environments inspired by 1950s retro-futurism, including mid-century architecture reimagined in floating cities and mining towns.^[40]^[41]^[42] As a PlayStation 4 exclusive, the game, developed over five years, leverages advanced physics capabilities enabling sophisticated interactions such as manipulating objects and shattering destructible environments—like stone pillars that crumble into usable debris for combat. This engine supports expansive open-world traversal with dynamic lighting effects, parallax occlusion mapping for added depth, and stable 30fps performance, enhanced on PS4 Pro via geometry upscale for pseudo-4K resolution.^[43] The soundtrack, composed by Kohei Tanaka, integrates orchestral arrangements with blues and jazz elements to reflect the game's retro-futuristic vibe, alongside electronic and cinematic motifs that heighten action sequences and emotional moments. It received five nominations in the 2018 NAVGTR Awards, including for Camera Direction in a Game Engine and Game Engineering.^[44]^[45] Voice acting is provided in full dubs for both Japanese and English languages, with notable performances including Sanae Kobayashi as Kat in Japanese, and Cherami Leigh in English. Motion capture was employed for character animations, coordinated by specialists to ensure fluid and expressive movements that align with the gravity-shifting mechanics.^[46]^[47]

Release

Initial release

Gravity Rush 2 was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment as a PlayStation 4 exclusive.^[7] The game launched in Europe and Australia on January 18, 2017, followed by Japan on January 19, 2017, and North America on January 20, 2017.^[48]^[49] Originally slated for a December 2016 release, development director Keiichiro Toyama announced a delay to January to ensure further quality improvements.^[50] Marketing efforts highlighted the game's gravity-shifting mechanics through a trailer debuted at E3 2016, showcasing protagonist Kat's enhanced abilities and co-op elements with Raven.^[51] To build anticipation and bridge the narrative gap from the original Gravity Rush, Sony produced a tie-in anime prequel titled Gravity Rush: The Animation - Overture, a two-part original video animation released on December 26, 2016, exclusively on the PlayStation YouTube channel.^[52] The anime depicts events immediately following the first game, introducing key plot developments for the sequel.^[52] The title was offered in both physical and digital editions via the PlayStation Store.^[7] A limited edition bundle, available in select regions including Asia and Japan, included the full game disc, a Blu-ray disc compiling the Overture anime and a director's cut of the soundtrack, plus downloadable content vouchers for exclusive costumes.^[53] This edition emphasized the multimedia aspects of the franchise, appealing to collectors interested in the integrated animation and audio content.^[54]

Ports and DLC

Gravity Rush 2 received a free story-based downloadable content pack in early 2017. "Another Story: The Ark of Time – Raven's Choice," released on March 21, allowed players to control the character Raven in a self-contained narrative exploring her backstory and efforts to rescue the Lost Children from a wormhole, expanding on her role as Kat's ally.^[55]^[56] Additional cosmetic DLC packs, such as the Phantasy Star Online 2 collaboration released on February 2, provided new outfits and photo props for Kat but did not alter core gameplay.^[57] The game's online services, including multiplayer challenges, treasure hunts, leaderboards, and user-generated content sharing, were discontinued on July 19, 2018, after Sony extended the original January 18 shutdown date by six months in response to fan petitions.^[23]^[58] Offline single-player modes, side missions, and local features remained fully playable post-shutdown, preserving access to the majority of the game's content. As of November 2025, no official ports or remasters of Gravity Rush 2 beyond its initial PlayStation 4 exclusivity have been released for platforms like PlayStation 5 or PC, though unconfirmed reports from early 2024 suggested a remastered edition was in development for those systems with a potential summer launch that did not materialize.^[59]

Reception

Critical response

Gravity Rush 2 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregator Metacritic, where it holds a score of 80/100 based on 94 reviews, with 83% rated positive.^[2] Reviewers frequently praised the game's refined gravity-shifting mechanics, which allow protagonist Kat to manipulate direction and momentum in innovative ways, enhancing exploration and traversal in its vibrant, multi-layered open world.^[4] The combat system was highlighted as a significant improvement over the original, incorporating new styles like Lunar (speed-focused) and Jupiter (heavy-hitting) that add depth and excitement to battles against diverse enemies.^[4] Additionally, the story's lighter, more adventurous tone, combined with strong character development—particularly for Kat and her relationships—was commended, as were the emotional, narrative-driven side quests that provide meaningful insights into the world's inhabitants.^[60] Critics noted some persistent issues, including a clunky camera that often struggles to keep up with Kat's acrobatic movements, leading to disorientation during fast-paced sequences.^[60] Missions were sometimes described as repetitive, relying on fetch quests or similar objectives that dilute the sense of novelty despite the expansive environments.^[42] The asynchronous multiplayer features, such as online treasure hunts and ghost challenges, were seen as underdeveloped and underutilized, failing to integrate seamlessly with the core single-player experience.^[61] IGN awarded the game an 8.4/10, lauding its "exciting combat" and "excellent side activities" that refresh the formula while expanding Kat's universe.^[4] Polygon included Gravity Rush 2 in its top 50 games of 2017 at number 19, appreciating its unique mechanics and social themes like income inequality, though it critiqued the camera's inconsistencies.

Commercial performance

Gravity Rush 2 debuted with 102,630 physical units sold in Japan by mid-February 2017, according to Media Create data, reflecting a solid but not blockbuster launch for the platform-exclusive title.^[62] Worldwide, the game achieved modest commercial results, with estimates placing total sales around 500,000 units by 2018, including both physical and digital copies. Japan led in physical sales, where physical units dominated early figures, while digital downloads provided a notable boost in North America and Europe, though overall regional performance varied. By late 2018, player ownership reached approximately 800,000, boosted by PS Plus offerings in Asia and elsewhere, with continued growth through PS5 backward compatibility as of 2025.^[49]^[63]^[64]^[7] Sony Interactive Entertainment did not classify the title as a major commercial success, with its performance falling short of expectations for a high-profile first-party exclusive and contributing to uncertainty about the franchise's long-term viability, ultimately leading to no direct sequel. Contributing factors included the game's strict PlayStation 4 exclusivity, which limited its audience reach, and stiff competition from contemporaries such as Nier: Automata, which launched shortly after and outsold it significantly in global markets.^[65]

Accolades

Gravity Rush 2 received several nominations and recognitions from major gaming awards organizations and publications following its 2017 release. It was nominated for Best Action-Adventure Game in IGN's Best of 2017 Awards, highlighting its innovative gravity-based mechanics and open-world exploration.^[66] Additionally, the game's soundtrack earned a nomination for Best Original Music in the same IGN awards, praised for its blend of jazz and orchestral elements that complemented the game's whimsical tone.^[67] Destructoid also nominated it for Best PS4 Game of 2017, recognizing its strong platform-exclusive performance amid a competitive field.^[68] In the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR) Awards for 2017 games, held in 2018, Gravity Rush 2 secured five nominations, including Camera Direction in a Game Engine for its dynamic shifting perspectives and Direction in a Game Cinema for narrative cutscenes.^[45] Other nominations encompassed Control Design, 3D; Costume Design; and Original Light Mix Score, Original Music.^[69] Although it did not win in these categories, the nominations underscored the game's technical achievements in visuals and audio. The game ranked 19th on Polygon's list of the 50 best games of 2017, commended for its diverse female protagonists and themes of social inequality integrated into fluid gameplay.^[70] It has also appeared in various "underrated" or overlooked titles compilations, such as Kotaku's discussions of underappreciated PlayStation exclusives, due to its unique art style and mechanics that flew under the mainstream radar.^[71] The accompanying promotional anime tie-in, including the short film Gravity Rush: The Animation - Overture and the Gravity Cat commercial, received acclaim for its high-quality animation blending 2D and 3D techniques. The Gravity Cat short won Gold in Film Craft - Production Design/Art Direction and Silver in Film Craft - Direction at the 2017 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.^[72] It also earned multiple Clio Awards in 2017 for its creative animation and storytelling.^[73]

Legacy

Cultural impact

Following the closure of Japan Studio in 2021, Gravity Rush 2 has been increasingly recognized as an underrated gem within the gaming industry, with fans and critics highlighting its innovative gameplay and narrative depth as overlooked contributions from the studio.^[74] The game's unique gravity-shifting mechanics and expansive world-building have prompted widespread calls for a remaster or port to modern platforms, allowing newer audiences to experience its ambitious scope.^[75] This posthumous appreciation stems from the studio's disbandment, which amplified discussions about preserving its legacy amid Sony's restructuring. Fan campaigns have played a pivotal role in extending the game's online lifespan and advocating for its preservation. In 2018, a concerted effort under the hashtag #DontForgetGravityRush successfully delayed the shutdown of Gravity Rush 2's servers from January to July, granting players additional time to access exclusive online content and missions.^[76] This short-term victory underscored the dedicated community, which later launched petitions on platforms like Change.org to unlock server-locked items offline, emphasizing the game's enduring appeal despite its initial commercial underperformance.^[77] The title's influence extends to its celebration of diverse representation through protagonist Kat, a strong, light-brown-skinned female lead whose empathetic and resilient personality has been praised for subverting typical heroine tropes in action-adventure games.^[78] Her character, blending naivety with determination, has inspired discussions on inclusive storytelling, positioning Gravity Rush 2 as a benchmark for empowering female protagonists in Japanese-developed titles.^[79] While direct inspirations on subsequent games' gravity mechanics remain niche—such as noted similarities in titles like Wuthering Waves—the game's fluid, physics-based navigation has contributed to broader industry interest in unconventional movement systems.^[80] Recent media coverage, particularly YouTube retrospectives in 2025, has further cemented Gravity Rush 2's cultural resonance by examining Japan Studio's legacy and the game's narrative ambition. Videos such as "The Most Underrated Modern Game (and the Genius of Japan Studio)" highlight its thematic exploration of class inequality and cosmic lore, framing it as a lost masterpiece worthy of revival.^[74] These analyses often emphasize the title's vibrant art style and emotional storytelling, fostering a growing cult following that views it as emblematic of creative risks in gaming.^[81] A prequel anime short titled Gravity Rush: The Animation - Overture was released on December 26, 2016, as a 20-minute OVA split into two approximately 10-minute parts that bridges the narrative between the original Gravity Rush and its sequel. Produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment and Felix Film, the animation features protagonist Kat confronting a new threat involving gravity manipulation, setting up key plot elements for Gravity Rush 2. It was made available for free on the official PlayStation YouTube channel and as a digital download.^[82]^[83] The series has inspired various supplementary media, including official art books and soundtracks. The Gravity Daze Series Official Art Book (titled Douya Rejavi Saaeju: Yorokondari Nayandari in Japanese), published by Kadokawa in March 2017, compiles 256 pages of character designs, concept art, and world illustrations from both Gravity Rush titles, highlighting the unique cel-shaded aesthetic and gravity-based environments.^[84] The Gravity Rush 2 Original Soundtrack, composed by the SIE Sound Team and released by Aniplex in February 2017, spans 73 tracks across four discs, blending orchestral scores with jazz influences to evoke the game's floating cityscapes and action sequences. A deluxe edition included additional bonus tracks and artwork.^[85] Kat and her companion Dusty have appeared in crossover content, notably as a downloadable playable character in the 2012 fighting game PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, where Kat utilizes her gravity-shifting abilities in battles against other Sony franchise icons; this DLC was released for free in January 2013.^[86] Merchandise tied to Gravity Rush 2 includes collectible figures such as the figma Gravity Kat 2.0 action figure by Max Factory and Good Smile Company, released in 2017, which stands 135 mm tall and includes interchangeable parts for Lunar and Jupiter styles, along with Dusty; it recreates Kat's dynamic poses from the game. Other items encompass plush toys of Dusty and high-end statues from Prime 1 Studio, showcased in official exhibitions.^[87]^[88] A live-action film adaptation of the Gravity Rush series, directed by Anna Mastro and produced by Sony Pictures, entered pre-production in 2022, with brief concept footage featuring gravity-defying action and the franchise logo revealed at CES 2024; as of 2025, the project remains in development without a confirmed release date.^[89]^[90] No direct sequel to Gravity Rush 2 has been officially announced as of November 2025.^[91]

References

[1]
Gravity Rush 2 Release Information for PlayStation 4 - GameFAQs
Rating 80% (94) Platform: PlayStation 4 ; Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World ; Developer: SCE Japan Studio ; Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment ; Release: January 20, 2017.
[2]
Gravity Rush 2 Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 80% (100) Gravity Rush 2 feels like a true sequel to the original game. Kat feels and looks amazing, the world she lives in is astounding and the OST and sound design ...
[3]
Gravity Rush™ 2 - PlayStation Store
Another mind-bending adventure awaits gravity queen Kat as a new danger emerges to threaten the fabric of the universe itself.
[4]
Gravity Rush 2 Review - IGN
Rating 8.4/10 · Review by Miranda SanchezJan 10, 2017 · Kat's return in Gravity Rush 2 is refreshed by the great new gravity styles and excellent side activities.
[5]
Gravity Rush 2 review - Polygon
Jan 10, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 is a game about throwing yourself off of buildings for a good cause. It's not the first of its kind, of course.<|separator|>
[6]
https://www.vgchartz.com/game/86436/gravity-rush-2/?region=All
[7]
Gravity Rush™ 2 - PlayStation
... Gravity Rush 2, previously scheduled for January 18, 2018, has been rescheduled to take place on Thursday, July 19th, 2018 at 1000 PM PT. Only online ...
[8]
Gravity Rush 2 Review - GameSpot
Rating 9/10 · Review by Peter BrownJan 10, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 exceeds expectations, filling in lingering gaps while simultaneously telling a new story. It also crucially doubles down on depth and scale.Missing: plot summary<|control11|><|separator|>
[9]
Controls - Gravity Rush 2 Guide - IGN
Jan 18, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 controls are similar to Gravity Rush Remastered. Use R1 to float, R1 again to shift gravity, and square for basic attacks. ...
[10]
Walkthrough - Gravity Rush 2 Guide - IGN
Jan 19, 2017 · Welcome to Gravity Rush 2's biggest new location: Jirga Para Lhao. It is here where the world begins to open up, placing the mining settlement ...
[11]
Gravity Rush 2 – The Best Power Ups - Prima Games
Jan 12, 2017 · These categories include Fighting Skill, Gravity Kick, Stasis Shield, Evasion, Gravity Slide, and Special Attacks. ... Gravity Gauge Recovery ...
[12]
Gravity Rush 2 Coming to North America on PS4 - PlayStation.Blog
Oct 27, 2015 · In the sequel to the acclaimed PS Vita original, you'll have brand new gravity-shifting options and combat mechanics at your disposal.
[13]
Gravity Styles - Gravity Rush 2 Guide - IGN
Jan 18, 2017 · Kat will be granted one of two alternate Gravity Styles: Lunar Style and Jupiter Style. There are positives and negatives to each of these styles.Gravity Styles · Lunar Style · Jupiter Style<|control11|><|separator|>
[14]
Gravity Rush 2 Wiki – Everything you need to know about the game
Nov 16, 2015 · You can get into Luna style by flicking the touch pad up, and into Jupiter style by flicking it down. Luna Style not only increases Kat's speed ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[15]
'Gravity Rush 2' Power Up Guide: How To Mine Precious Gems And ...
Jan 17, 2017 · Powering up your Gravity Kick will increase the distance a kick travels, allow for more combo chains or increase the area of effect for the Jupiter Style Surge ...
[16]
'Gravity Rush 2' Combat Guide | Lunar And Jupiter Stance Tips, More
May 9, 2017 · 'Gravity Rush 2' is full of action. Use this guide to make the most of the game's combat system, including both Lunar and Jupiter stances.
[17]
Gravity Rush 2 review: Picking up the little things - Ars Technica
Jan 10, 2017 · Lunar gravity makes Kat more mobile and less damaging. At the same time, it adds a teleport to her flying kick that can be followed up with ...
[18]
Gravity Rush 2: Bigger Worlds, Little Details, Silly Side Quests
Jun 24, 2016 · Gravity Rush 2 is really about development and maturity –Kat is mischievous, but she's also a great person and we wanted to go into that more and find out who ...
[19]
Gravity Rush 2: Unlock Fast Travel With These Warp Locations | Maps
Jan 21, 2017 · To activate a Warp Manhole, all you need to do is walk over it. The icon will then appear on your map, and the warp point will glow in-game.
[20]
Side Missions - Gravity Rush 2 Guide - IGN
Jan 23, 2017 · Side missions in Gravity Rush 2 tell stories, expand the world, and provide health, gravity, and collectibles. They are location-specific and ...
[21]
How 'Gravity Rush 2' Gets Players to Cooperate Through Photography
Jan 24, 2017 · If someone successfully uses your photo, you're rewarded with Dusky Tokens, which unlocks new gestures, costumes, equippable talismans, and more.Missing: exploration elements challenges racing
[22]
Gravity Rush 2 Online Services Closing a Year After Release - IGN
Sep 28, 2017 · Sony is shutting down the online functionality for Gravity Rush 2 a year after its initial release. Fans will be locked out of most of the online features come ...
[23]
https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/gravity-rush-2-online-services-closing-a-year-after-release
[24]
A Deeper Conversation About Class and Inequality in 'Gravity Rush 2'
Jan 27, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 moves our main characters to a new floating locale, Jirga Para Lhao, where your first interaction with the city is a vibrant, bustling ...Missing: setting developer interview
[25]
Chapter 2: Jirga Para Lhao - Gravity Rush 2 Guide - IGN
Jan 19, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2's story focuses heavily on the conflicts among the destitute poor occupying corrugated metal shacks on Lei Elgona at the bottom ...
[26]
The Anime Prequel To Gravity Rush 2 Is Now Available In Full - Kotaku
Gravity Rush the Animation ~Overture~, a 17-minute short that seeks to tie the the original Vita game and upcoming sequel together, is now available on.
[27]
https://gravityrush.fandom.com/wiki/Jirga_Para_Lhao
[28]
Gravity Rush 2 (Video Game 2017) - IMDb
Rating 7.3/10 (219) Gravity Rush 2 is an Action-Adventure-Fantasy game where Kat and Syd are far from Hekseville after falling through a Gravity Vortex, and Kat must find her way ...
[29]
Gravity Rush 2 review - EGM
Jan 10, 2017 · Doing that—or taking photographs in general and having them rated by other players—earn you Dusty tokens, which will help you unlock new outfits ...
[30]
Gravity Rush 2: The Kotaku Review
Jan 10, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 is an open-world superhero game that tells the tale of Kat, a mysterious woman who fell from the sky at the start of 2012's Gravity Rush.
[31]
The New Characters and Places in Gravity Rush 2 - PlayStation.Blog
Aug 24, 2016 · In case there was any doubt, Gravity Rush 2 retains the beautiful open world structure and gorgeous comic-book presentation that fans fell in ...
[32]
Main Characters [Gravity Rush 2] - Samurai Gamers
Jan 19, 2017 · A mysterious girl with the same powers as Kat, Raven started out as a rival to Hekseville's Gravity Queen. She eventually becomes an ally and ...
[33]
Characters in Gravity Rush 2 - TV Tropes
Characters from Gravity Rush 2. For the main characters, head to the ... Mad Scientist: He believes time is a merciless force and wishes to preserve ...
[34]
TGS: Gravity Rush Sequel Incoming? - IGN
Update: teaser video now online. Sony might have just teased a sequel to its popular 2012 Vita game at TGS.
[35]
Gravity Rush 2 Online Server Shutdown Delayed - IGN
Jan 14, 2018 · However, as spotted by Reddit user Hartia, Sony has now delayed the server shutdown to July 18 at 10pm PT (July 19 at 1am ET/6am UK/4pm AET).Missing: multiplayer | Show results with:multiplayer
[36]
From Vita to PS4: Sony on Gravity Rush 2 - MCV/DEVELOP
Jan 17, 2017 · “Gravity Rush 2 is the first in the series to be built specifically for PS4,” Sony's product manager Jon Edwards tells MCV. “It embraces the ...
[37]
Gravity Rush's love affair with the 'bande dessinee' art style - Engadget
May 2, 2012 · Gravity Rush's art draws heavily from the Franco-Belgian comic book style bande dessinee, which is marked by exaggerating elements that the ...
[38]
Gravity Rush: The Franco-Belgian Tradition, via Japan - MoeGamer
Jun 8, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2: hard-edged shadows, cel-shaded characters and realistic backdrops combine for a very distinctive look. Despite being a city ...
[39]
Gravity Rush 2 Review: A Strong Attraction | Shacknews
Rating 8/10 · Review by Jason FaulknerJan 19, 2017 · ... Rush 2. Review for. Gravity Rush 2. 8. Pros. Tight control scheme; Attractive cel-shaded art style; Unique gravity mechanics; Inventive-sounding ...
[40]
Tech Analysis: Gravity Rush 2 | Eurogamer.net
Jan 17, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 impresses most with massive floating cities to zip through and plenty of destructibles around every corner.
[41]
Checking the Score: Gravity Rush 2 - Hardcore Gamer
Feb 6, 2017 · The soundtrack of Gravity Rush 2 continues on with, encompassed by its lively mix of blues and jazz alike.
[42]
Gravity Rush 2 Receives 5 Nominations in the NAVGTR Awards
Mar 5, 2018 · Gravity Rush 2 Receives 5 Nominations in ... Soundtrack Receives “Dramatic Sound” Award in the PlayStation Game Music Grand Prize Awards.
[43]
Gravity Rush Original Soundtrack Receives "Dramatic Sound ...
Jun 17, 2018 · In the same list, the Gravity Rush 2 OST was ranked 12, while the Gravity Rush OST ended on place 14.
[44]
Gravity Rush 2 credits (PlayStation 4, 2017) - MobyGames
Tomonobu Kikuchi (RightTracks Inc.) Voice Recording. Voice Recording Director ... Motion Capture Actors Coordinator, Wataru Koga. Motion Capture Actors, Akira ...
[45]
Gravity Rush 2 (2017 Video Game) - Behind The Voice Actors
Jan 20, 2017 · Kat voice Kat voiced by · Sanae Kobayashi ; Raven voice Raven voiced by · Sayaka Kinoshita ; Syd voice Syd voiced by · Go Shinomiya.Missing: English | Show results with:English
[46]
Gravity Rush 2 | Release Date Update - WellPlayed
Thus, after careful deliberation, we have decided to change the release date. Gravity Rush 2 will now launch on 18th January 2017 in Europe and 20th January in ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[47]
Gravity Rush 2 for PlayStation 4 - Sales, Wiki, Release ... - VGChartz
Developer. SIE Japan Studio ; Genre. Action-Adventure ; Release Dates. 01/20/17 Sony Interactive Entertainment 01/19/17 Sony Interactive Entertainment 01/20/17 ...
[48]
Gravity Rush 2 pushed back to 2017 | Eurogamer.net
Oct 6, 2016 · The new release date will be January 20th 2017, and to soften the blow the previously announced premium DLC will be made available for free. "I ...
[49]
Gravity Rush 2 Trailer - E3 2016 - IGN
Jun 13, 2016 · Gravity Rush 2 Trailer - E3 2016. The newest Gravity Rush 2 trailer show's off Kat's powerful gravity abilities. Share. Download Video.
[50]
Gravity Rush 2 Drops Onto PS4 December 2 - PlayStation.Blog
Jul 18, 2016 · Gravity Rush 2 marks the return of gravity shifters Kat and Raven (now a powerful ally), ex-cop Syd, and introduces a bevy of new characters.
[51]
Gravity Rush: The Animation - Overture (special)
Plot Summary: The TV special episode portrays what happened to Kat and Raven after the events of the first game but before the events of the second game.
[52]
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=18944
[53]
Gravity Rush 2 - Limited Edition - PlayStation 4 [TW] - VGCollect
Gravity Rush 2 - Limited Edition ; Description: includes: · Gravity Rush 2 · Gravity Daze The Animation Ouverture · DLC flyer. DLC flyer has a code printed that ...
[54]
Gravity Rush 2: The Ark of Time - Raven's Choice - PlayStation Store
Free deliveryThis FREE DLC features a brand new story for Gravity Rush 2 focusing on Kat's partner, Raven. Alone, Raven must battle to save the Lost Children who were left ...
[55]
PSX 2016: Free Gravity Rush 2 DLC Lets You Play As Raven - IGN
Dec 3, 2016 · Raven's DLC lets you play a story from her past. ... The first story DLC for Gravity Rush 2 stars Kat's ally and fellow shifter, Raven. Gravity ...<|separator|>
[56]
Gravity Rush 2 Online Servers Shut Down Next Month - Game Informer
Jun 18, 2018 · The game's online servers will shut down on July 18. Sony announced a little while back that they would be shutting down the servers for their single-player ...<|separator|>
[57]
Gravity Rush 2 Is Reportedly Being Remastered for PS5, PC
Mar 5, 2024 · A new report claims that Gravity Rush 2 is being remastered for the PS5 and PC. Developed by the now-defunct Sony Japan Studio and released in 2017.<|separator|>
[58]
'Gravity Rush 2' Review: Falling On Its Feet - Forbes
Jan 15, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 is a bright and visually arresting game. The score, again composed by Kohei Tanaka, is also great and uses leitmotif for each strata of the city.
[59]
Media Create Sales: 2/6/17 – 2/12/17 - Gematsu
Feb 15, 2017 · [PS4] Gravity Rush 2 (SIE, 01/19/17) – 3,953 (102,630); [PS4] Final Fantasy XV (Limited and Bundled Editions Included) (Square Enix, 11/29/16) ...
[60]
A Closer Look at Gravity Rush 2's Sales Numbers
Feb 26, 2017 · Japan. In Japan, the latest results from Media Create and Famitsu put Gravity Rush 2 (Gravity Daze 2) at a little over 100k in Japan.
[61]
Gravity Rush 2 Sells a Disappointing 148K Units First Week at Retail
Feb 20, 2017 · Breaking down the sales by region, the game sold best in Japan with 74,016 units sold (50%), compared to 38,272 units sold in the US (26%) and ...Missing: worldwide | Show results with:worldwide
[62]
Best Action-Adventure Game - Best of 2017 Awards Guide - IGN
Dec 20, 2017 · Best Action-Adventure Game of 2017 Nominees. Assassin's Creed Origins - From <a href="http://www. View 10 Images. Gravity Rush 2 - From <a ...
[63]
Best Original Music - Best of 2017 Awards Guide - IGN
Dec 20, 2017 · Gravity Rush 2 - "Staccato strings, a bright trumpet solo, and a grand. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - "You may not come away. Mario ...
[64]
Nominees for Destructoid's Best PS4 Game of 2017
Dec 11, 2017 · These are the nominees for Destructoid's Best PS4 Game of 2017: Gravity Rush 2 · Horizon Zero Dawn · NieR: Automata · Nioh · Persona 5 · Tekken ...
[65]
2017 Awards - NAVGTR
Fifty-nine of sixty competitive categories were awarded recognizing achievement in animation, art direction, character design, controls, game design, game ...
[66]
https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Action-Adventure_Game
[67]
One Of PlayStation's Most Overlooked Games Could Be Coming To ...
Mar 4, 2024 · According to a recent rumor, a Gravity Rush 2 remaster is in development for PS5 and PC. Seven years after its release, and three years after the closure of ...
[68]
ShowYanagisawa - 柳沢翔
Gravity Rush 2 “Gravity Cat”. Cannes Lions 2017 —Film Craft – Production Design/Art Direction— GOLD; Cannes Lions 2017 —Film Craft – Direction— SILVER; Cannes ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[69]
Gravity Cat
Gravity Cat was an award winning promotional short film by HAKUHODO and Tohokushinsha Film Corporation to advertise Gravity Rush 2 in early 2017.
[70]
The Most Underrated Modern Game (and the Genius of Japan Studio)
May 25, 2025 · history and genius of Japan Studio & Gravity Rush 2 in this video essay. 0:00 Intro & Team ASOBI 1:18 Japan Studio on PS1 2:31 Japan Studio ...Missing: development size
[71]
Gravity Rush 2 - The Most Underrated Modern Game ... - YouTube
Jul 18, 2021 · ... Japan Studio has been disbanded, let's take a look at the history and genius of Japan Studio & Gravity Rush 2 in this video essay. OTHER ...Missing: development | Show results with:development
[72]
The Campaign to Keep Gravity Rush 2's Servers Online Continues
Jul 5, 2018 · Gravity Rush 2's servers were scheduled to be shut down on 18th January, but a fan campaign kept them alive until 18th July.
[73]
Give Gravity Rush 2 players access to the in-game content locked by ...
Aug 10, 2020 · Give Gravity Rush 2 players access to the in-game content locked by the server shutdown. ... We're not asking you to sign this petition as Gravity ...
[74]
Gravity Rush's Kat Is A Gaming Heroine We Shouldn't Forget
Apr 16, 2021 · At the centre of this sits Kat - a bubbly heroine who suddenly finds herself christened with superpowers. Little is known about Kat's origins ...
[75]
Falling Upwards: Gravity Rush as guide for the complex ... - Medium
Feb 28, 2017 · Gravity Rush is full of moments where as opposed to a male power fantasy Kat is made to deal with mundane situations. She begins the game ...
[76]
Gravity shifting mechanic and area design similarities - Facebook
Mar 27, 2025 · Got to the new area and was very pleasantly surprised to see something similar to the best game I've ever played. Someone working on this game ...
[77]
The Unsung Masterpiece - Gravity Rush - YouTube
Apr 14, 2025 · One thing worth noting is that there is actually a manga based on the first few chapters of Gravity Rush 2, but I didn't really find it all ...
[78]
https://www.thegamer.com/gravity-rush-kat/
[79]
https://medium.com/mammon-machine-zeal/falling-upwards-gravity-rush-as-guide-for-the-complex-intersections-of-womens-lives-b86c5eda692
[80]
Gravity Rush Series Official Art Book: Douya Rejavi Saaeju ...
Rating 5.0 (1) · Free delivery over $150Mar 21, 2017 · 256 pages of spectacular artwork such as character illustrations as well as numerous image boards and visuals of the series' unique world.
[81]
GRAVITY RUSH 2 Original Soundtrack Japan Deluxe Edition
GRAVITY RUSH 2 Original Soundtrack Japan Deluxe Edition. SIE Sound Team. 73 SONGS • 3 HOURS AND 8 MINUTES • FEB 22 2017. Play. Purchase Options.
[82]
First PlayStation All-Stars DLC: Gravity Rush, Starhawk - IGN
Nov 15, 2012 · Two DLC characters for PlayStation All-Stars have been announced, and they are free.<|control11|><|separator|>
[83]
figma Gravity Kat 2.0｜Good Smile Company
The figma includes multiple expressions, Dusty the cat, 'Lunar/Jupiter' styles, a stand, and a bonus 'Hand Holding an Apple'. It is 135mm tall.
[84]
An Overview of Prime 1 Studio Museum 2018's Gravity Rush 2 ...
Oct 6, 2018 · The exhibition shows Prime 1 Studio's statues as well as other officially licensed merchandise. One of those licenses includes Gravity Rush 2.Missing: media anime books
[85]
Why On Earth Are We Getting A Gravity Rush Movie? - TheGamer
Jan 11, 2024 · Sony reminded us during its CES 2024 presentation in Las Vegas that it is currently working on a film adaptation of Gravity Rush.
[86]
Here's our first look at Sony's Gravity Rush film | Eurogamer.net
Jan 9, 2024 · Sony has provided a very brief first look at its Gravity Rush film project, courtesy of a quick clip shown during the company's CES 2024 press conference.
[87]
PlayStation Has the Perfect Excuse to Revive One Dormant IP in the ...
Jan 15, 2025 · There is still a Gravity Rush live-action adaptation in the works, and they could see it within the next year or two.