Ghostrunner 2
A first-person action platformer with one-hit kills and vehicular combat.
Ghostrunner 2 is a first-person action platformer from developer One More Level and publisher 505 Games. It launched on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 26 October 2023, following up the 2020 original to positive critical reception.
Players control Jack, a highly agile character who dashes, jumps, wall-runs, and slides through deadly environments. A grappling hook lets him swing across gaps, and the "Sensory Boost" ability briefly slows time for aerial strafing. A new stamina meter limits how often he can dash and deflect attacks. Jack’s main weapon is a sword, but he also gains special abilities—like the Shuriken, which fires electrical throwing stars that stun enemies or hit distant switches. Both Jack and his foes have minimal health, dying in a single hit.
The story sends Jack beyond the Dharma Tower to stop a cult of cyber ninja AI. The sequel adds vehicular combat: on certain levels, Jack rides a motorcycle, fighting enemies and dodging obstacles. Levels are more open-ended, letting players plan their own approach before engaging. Upgrades purchased as the game progresses enhance Jack’s abilities, though the motorcycle cannot be upgraded.
After the previous game, Dharma Tower is in chaos. With the Architect and Keymaster gone, factions fight for control. Jack, mysteriously reactivated after destroying the Architect and the Cybervoid, works with the rebel Climbers to form a governing council. The Hammers faction grows more dangerous under a new leader, Ahriman. Jack is sent to stop them from seizing the tower’s reactor but arrives too late. Ahriman is revealed to be a Ghostrunner, part of a group called the Asura (alongside Rahu and Madhu). They use the reactor to revive their deactivated leader, Mitra. Jack defeats Ahriman with help from human soldier Adrian Bakunin, who is then arrested by the Climbers.
Bakunin explains that the Asura were the first Ghostrunners, created by Adam and Mara as enforcers, but they went rogue. The council leader, Connor Muller, sends Jack to investigate a cult worshiping the Architect. Jack infiltrates the cult’s cathedral, recruiting hacker Kira. He finds Rahu, who can freely control Cybervoid and may have saved Jack from deletion. With Kira’s help, Jack incapacitates Rahu and retrieves his decapitated head.
At Climber HQ, Mitra breaks in, kills Muller, and steals Rahu.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Ghostrunner 2
- Developer
- One More Level
- Publisher
- 505 Games
- Director
- Radosław Ratusznik
- Producer
- Tadeusz Zuber · Grzegorz Niedziela
- Programmer
- Grzegorz Greger
- Artist
- Wojciech Wilk
- Writer
- Maximilian Sandmann · Jan Gąsior
- Composer
- Daniel Deluxe · Dan Terminus · Gost · Arkadiusz Reikowski · We Are Magonia
- Platforms
- PlayStation 5 · Windows · Xbox Series X/S
- Designer
- Lukasz Wabik
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game is played from a first-person perspective. The playable character Jack is very agile, able to traverse dangerous environments by dashing, jumping, wall-running, and sliding. He can also use a grappling hook and 'Sensory Boost', which briefly slows down time. A stamina meter dictates how frequent players can dash and deflect attacks. While a sword is the primary weapon, Jack has access to special abilities such as the 'Shuriken', which can stun enemies and hit distant switches. Both Jack and his enemies have very limited health and can be killed in one hit. Ghostrunner 2 introduces vehicular combat, allowing Jack to ride a motorcycle during certain levels. Levels are more non-linear, with players able to plan their own routes. Players can purchase upgrades for Jack's abilities, but the motorcycle cannot be upgraded.
Reader's Guide
Ghostrunner 2 received 'generally favorable' reviews on Metacritic and strong approval on OpenCritic, recommended by 81% of critics. In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave it a total score of 32 out of 40. The game was nominated for 'Best Action Game' at The Game Awards 2023. Lauren Bergin of PCGamesN scored the game 9/10, calling it 'one of my favorite games of the year.' The game was developed by One More Level, based in Poland, with game director Radoslaw Ratusznik describing it as an 'evolution' of the original. The team introduced gameplay enhancements to make it more approachable, such as an active blocking mechanic. Samurai Jack was cited as an inspiration by lead gameplay designer Lukasz Wabik. The motorcycle was added because the team felt it aligned with the game's fast-paced combat and cyberpunk aesthetic. A demo was released for PlayStation 5 on 15 September 2023.
Did You Know?
- The game introduces a stamina meter that dictates how frequently players can dash and deflect attacks.
- Jack's motorcycle cannot be upgraded, unlike his other abilities.
- A demo for Ghostrunner 2 was released for PlayStation 5 on 15 September 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ghostrunner 2?
Ghostrunner 2 is a first-person action platformer built around one-hit-kill sword combat and high-speed parkour. One More Level developed it and 505 Games published it, with a launch on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on October 26, 2023 as a sequel to the 2020 original.
What are Ghostrunner 2's core movement and combat mechanics?
You control Jack, who dashes, wall-runs, slides, and swings on a grappling hook through lethal arenas. A Sensory Boost briefly slows time so you can strafe mid-air, and a stamina meter caps how often you can dash or parry. The sword is your primary tool, and the game also throws in vehicular combat segments.
Why is Ghostrunner 2 considered a notable entry in 2020s platforming?
It pushed the first-person parkour-and-sword formula into a more structured, level-based platformer while adding grappling-hook traversal and vehicle sequences the original lacked. Critics responded positively, crediting it for refining the 2020 debut's momentum into a tighter, more varied experience.
On which platforms can you play Ghostrunner 2?
The game is available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S. There are no versions for older-generation consoles or mobile devices.
More in Platform Games of the 2020s, Part 1 1-24
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