Ghostrunner 2: Overview & Critic Reception

By ParryStack · research-based overview · Updated Oct 2026 · Action

This is a research-based overview compiled from publisher information, official patch notes and published critic reception. It is not a hands-on review and ParryStack assigns no score of its own. How we research and verify · Report an error

Critic reception

Metacritic (critic aggregate): 81 (PC) · 80 (PS5) · 79 (Xbox Series X)

Source: Metacritic, checked 12 Oct 2026. These are third-party critic scores, not ParryStack ratings.

Summary

A first-person, one-hit-kill action game with sword combat, wall-running and motorcycle levels; Metacritic lists 80–81 depending on platform.

Combat and movement

Ghostrunner 2 is a first-person action game built on one-hit deaths for both Jack and most enemies. Movement uses dashing, jumping, wall-running, sliding and a grappling hook, and a stamina meter limits how often you can dash and deflect. Sensory Boost briefly slows time for air strafing. MP1st's review singles out Shuriken (it can kill or stun enemies, target explosive barrels and barriers, and create grapple points), Shadow (a decoy copy of Jack) and Tempest (a force push, mostly used on objects) among the abilities, plus ultimate abilities and upgrade chips unlocked by collecting Memory Shards.

Level design and motorcycle sections

Levels are more non-linear than in the first game, so you can plan your own routes (Wikipedia). The motorcycle is used in outdoor levels for combat and obstacle avoidance and cannot be upgraded. MP1st highlights a sequence in which Jack evades a giant robotic sandworm and then drives inside it. Boss fights are multi-part with checkpoints, and the same review dislikes the final boss changing the parry timing.

Story and world

The story takes place in and around Dharma Tower, where factions fight for control. The Asura, the first Ghostrunners, are the main threat, with Rahu, Madhu and Mitra as named leaders; Ahriman, leader of the Hammers faction, is defeated early (Wikipedia).

Performance

We have not benchmarked the game and give no frame-rate figures. One review notes that on PS5 there are no long loading screens after death, so restarts are quick (MP1st). Check current patch notes and Steam reviews for the state of your platform.

Reception and content after launch

Metacritic lists 81 on PC and 80 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. OpenCritic reports that 81% of critics recommend it. Post-launch, the Season Pass (listed at $19.99 on the Xbox Store) covered cosmetic packs: the Ice Pack arrived on 7 December 2023, the Dragon Pack on 8 February 2024, and the roadmap also listed a Heat Pack, an Endless Moto Mode and an Anniversary Pack (MP1st roadmap). We have not confirmed the release of the later items.

Pros & Cons

✔ Pros
  • One-hit design makes every encounter about route and timing
  • More non-linear levels than the first game
  • Motorcycle levels add variety to the parkour
  • Quick restarts after death (no long loading screens on PS5, per MP1st)
✘ Cons
  • The final boss changes the parry timing, which one reviewer disliked (MP1st)
  • The motorcycle cannot be upgraded
  • High difficulty may not suit everyone

Sources & fact-check

Release facts, mechanics and boss details on this page were checked against these sources on 12 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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