Ghostrunner 2 Review – XBox Series X

A Cyberpunk Slice of Life

Ghostrunner 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2020’s breakout action first-person slasher, thrusts players once again into the shoes of Jack, a cyber-enhanced ninja, as he navigates a dystopian future with a deadly combination of grace, speed, and lethal precision.

With deliciously-named developer One More Level promising to deliver an enhanced version of the original’s core elements – fast-paced parkour traversal, brutal combat, stunning visuals, and an immersive soundtrack – and elevated with a more involved story, Ghostrunner 2 dials up all of the aspects revered in the original, as well as some surprising changes.

 

 

Neon Nightmare

One of the standout features of Ghostrunner 2 is its captivating visual design. The game immerses players as they sprint, leap and dismember in a vibrant and meticulously detailed cyberpunk setting, contrasting the oppressive, crumbling Dharma Tower with the lively, colorful outside world.

The game’s dynamic lighting and reflections are dripping with character, bringing the environments to life with realistic and dynamic visuals. The character models, particularly Jack’s cybernetic physique and his signature sword, are not only well-designed but also fluidly animated.

Despite these visual strengths, Ghostrunner 2 has been promised to receive ray-tracing on both PC and console (in due course), an element that certainly improved the look of the original but came at a significant cost.

When it comes to graphics modes, Ghostrunner 2 arrives with three distinct settings for players on Xbox Series X – Quality Mode, Performance and High Frame Rate.

The first offers the most sumptuous visuals at a dynamic 4K, outputting at 30fps. Performance Mode is the other upscaled 4K mode offering a 60fps target and slightly reduced visuals, whilst speed demons are welcome to opt for just 1080p and frame rates of up to 120fps for displays that can handle it.

Always great to have variety, so the options were welcome – however we found ourselves enjoying a good balance of looks and pace in performance mode.

 

 

Flowetry In Motion

The gameplay of Ghostrunner 2 unquestionably stands as the game’s crowning achievement. The game seamlessly weaves platforming (no mean feat in first-person), puzzle-solving, and twitchy yet elegant combat into an exhilarating experience that demands quick reflexes, precision, and strategic thinking.

Adopting a merciless trial-and-error approach, the game’s sheer pace and difficulty necessitate numerous deaths until players uncover the optimal approach to tackle each combat scenario. While this can be frustrating, the sheer satisfaction of executing a flawless balletic sequence of bullet-deflecting mayhem far outweighs the difficulty.

New mechanics and features have been seamlessly integrated into the core gameplay loop, introducing diversity and complexity as well as a way to ingratiate new players.

For instance, players can now employ a grappling hook to swing across gaps and reach uncharted territories. A range of abilities—time manipulation, bullet deflection, and straight-up lasers —provides versatility in handling various situations. The inclusion of more diverse enemy types and memorable boss encounters adds depth, demanding distinct tactics and honed skills.

There’s also the addition of vehicular combat, with sections that see Jack hop onto a Tron-inspired motorbike and dole out two-wheeled justice at a breakneck pace, all the while dodging obstacles. A novel addition, and a welcome bit of variety from the admittedly creative and free-flowing level design.

Another welcome addition is a more fleshed-out story and accompanying world of the Ghostrunner. Picking up a year after the events of the first title, we join the beautifully named Interface Council, a motley crew of like-minded individuals looking to bring down the oppressors of the residents of Dharma Tower – humanity’s last refuge in a ravaged world.

Nonetheless, Ghostrunner 2 isn’t without its flaws, which might irk some players. The game’s unforgiving nature can lead to frustration, even the first level commands deft handling of Jack’s suite of deadly skills to progress.

The occasionally obscure objectives and unclear directions can render progress confusing, and the absence of features like a map, tutorial, or difficulty settings limits accessibility.

 

 

Synthwave Symphony

The auditory experience of Ghostrunner 2 emerges as another highlight. The game features an exceptional soundtrack, once again composed by the talented Daniel Deluxe, known for his work on the original Ghostrunner. The synthwave tracks in the soundtrack are in perfect harmony with the cyberpunk theme, enhancing the game’s mood and atmosphere.

Energetic, catchy, and atmospheric, these tracks elevate the gameplay and immersion to new heights, whilst a selection of new artists rounding out the roster like Dan Terminus and We Are Magonia makes for a diverse soundscape that only enhances immersion – definitely a game where decent headphones or a tidy home cinema setup improve on excellence.

In addition to the soundtrack, Ghostrunner 2 boasts high-quality sound effects that provide realism and feedback, ensuring that every action and movement feels tangible. The sound of Jack’s sword slicing through foes, the resonance of his footsteps on various surfaces, the rhythm of his breathing as he vaults and leaps, and his voice during interactions with other characters are all meticulously crafted to immerse players in the game’s world. While the voice acting is generally commendable, some lines do occasionally border on the cheesy – although entirely fitting the B-Movie aesthetic.

Verdict

Ghostrunner 2 unequivocally proves itself a worthy successor. It masterfully maintains the elements that fans cherished, while introducing new features and mechanics that expand the gameplay’s depth.

Fans of the original will see their patience rewarded as the game steadily doles out both a refined version of punishing, pulse-pounding Ghostrunner gameplay, but with enough flourishes in level design and elaborations on weapons and traversal (some more welcome than others) that make this a true example of a sequel that improves in all key areas – making Ghostrunner 2 one of the best action games for 2023, in what is an incredibly strong year for gaming.