I basically binged Ghostrunner 2 in just two sessions because I couldn’t put it down. The game takes everything great about the first one and makes it even better. The visuals are stunning, the cyberpunk world feels more alive than ever, and the gameplay is smoother and more refined.

It stays true to the original’s fast-paced action while adding fresh mechanics that keep things exciting. The new bike sections and expanded levels are incredible, and some of the cinematic moments are straight-up jaw-dropping. Running from a giant metal worm in one of the best chase sequences in gaming had me on the edge of my seat.

Between the insane level design, pulse-pounding soundtrack, and non-stop adrenaline, I just kept telling myself “one more level” until I realized I had played through almost the entire game in two sittings. If you love fast, stylish action games, Ghostrunner 2 is an absolute must-play.

Ghostrunner 2 takes the fast-paced, cyberpunk slashing of the original and expands on it in ways that often feel like distractions rather than improvements. While the core combat remains engaging, with multiple ways to dispatch enemies and interact with the environment, the game frequently gets in its own way, slowing down the pace with frustrating platforming, intrusive dialogue, and misguided open-world elements.

One of the most immediate and grating aspects of the game is the relentless radio chatter. Characters you likely don’t care about constantly fill the airwaves with unnecessary dialogue, breaking any sense of immersion. It’s persistent enough that I actively considered muting the voice volume entirely. Adding insult to injury, there are hub areas where you’re expected to walk around and talk to NPCs. In a game built around speed and fluid action, this feels wildly out of place.

Level design also struggles at times. The game uses bright lights to guide the player, but exits and pathways are often poorly telegraphed. This leads to moments of confusion, particularly in multi-layered arenas where it’s not always clear where to go next. For a game that supposedly prioritizes speed and flow, it’s baffling how often it halts your momentum.

When it sticks to combat, Ghostrunner 2 is at its best. The game provides multiple ways to approach encounters, allowing for creative kills using environmental hazards. Smashing a billboard onto enemies or riding a droid into them feels fantastic, and these moments are where the game truly shines. However, these sequences are too often separated by frustrating platforming sections that demand precision but feel inconsistent. There’s nothing worse than realizing mid-wallrun that you started too low and are doomed to fall, leading to repeated restarts.

The motorcycle sections are another point of contention. They boil down to either memorizing the correct path or restarting from a checkpoint until you get it right. Rather than adding to the experience, they feel like an unnecessary test of patience.

Aesthetically, the game is undeniably stylish, with neon-drenched environments and a strong synth-driven soundtrack that initially draws you in. However, visuals and music alone can’t save a game when the majority of its mechanics feel like obstacles rather than enhancements to the core experience.

Ultimately, I struggle to recommend Ghostrunner 2. While its combat is enjoyable, that’s only a small portion of what the game offers. The rest ranges from frustrating to outright annoying, making for an experience that feels like a step backward rather than forward. If you can tolerate the interruptions and forced pacing, you might find something to enjoy—but for me, it was a disappointment.

Too sweaty

The central hub you go to between missions to run around and talk to your allies kills all the pacing. The semi open world elements kill the momentum. The fist game was go, go, go. This one is do a mission, go back to the hub, talk to Oblivion NPCs to unravel a lukewarm story.

The new parkhour elements are kind cool but also just... not very fun?

It was clear within the first half hour that the first game is better