Gorn 2 PSVR2 Review. Free Lives returns to the gladiator arena with Gorn 2, a sequel that embraces everything fans loved about the original while adding a welcome layer of polish. It’s still a messy sandbox of flailing limbs and slapstick murder, but this time it comes with more structure, more toys, and a better sense of progression. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it confidently upgrades the formula. And for the kind of game Gorn wants to be, that’s more than enough.
Gorn 2 PSVR2 Review (PS5) – Familiar Carnage Finely Tuned
Combat remains the star of the show — chaotic, exaggerated, and endlessly entertaining. You’ll still tear arms off and crush skulls in a physics-fuelled ballet of violence. It’s hard not to laugh as enemies ragdoll around like meat piñatas. There’s a unique charm to the rubbery gore and dumb, grunting AI, and on PSVR2, it all feels tighter and more responsive.
U Wot M8?
It’s not a total overhaul, but compared to the original, this is a noticeably smoother ride. Improved tracking and faster input response make everything feel more deliberate. Swings connect more consistently, movement feels less floaty, and enemies behave with just enough predictability to keep the action flowing. It’s still dumb fun — just now with sharper edges.
The biggest upgrade is the new campaign structure, which brings a clearer sense of momentum to the carnage. Instead of jumping between random arenas, you now fight through five themed realms, each ruled by one of the sons of the God of the Afterlife. There’s still not much story, but every area introduces new enemies, weapons, and traps gradually. That subtle pacing shift helps it feel like a journey, not just a pile of scraps.
Big Stick Energy
Progression has seen a meaningful boost. Stage-specific challenges and unlockable weapons give the game a stronger sense of forward motion. It’s not deep — there are no skill trees or branching paths — but it does just enough to encourage experimentation and replayability. If you’re chasing every unlock or aiming for Endless and Custom mode mastery, there’s more to chew on than before.
Visually, Gorn 2 benefits from PSVR2’s horsepower. The cartoon violence still leads the charge, but improved lighting and more stable performance help sell the absurdity. It still has that budget-game roughness, but now it feels more confident in its style. If the original’s look didn’t win you over, this won’t either — but there’s no denying it runs and plays better.
A Plethora Of Gore
New traps and absurd weapons help the bloodbath feel fresher for longer. Buzzsaws, spike floors, meat hooks and magical power-ups open up more ridiculous possibilities mid-fight. These aren’t game-changing additions, but they do make the sandbox feel less repetitive. The novelty still fades eventually, but the moment-to-moment action holds up thanks to these small tweaks.
Tis’ but a scratch
Extra modes like Endless Waves and Custom Fights expand the replay value without dramatically altering the experience. Custom Mode is especially welcome, letting you tailor battles in creative ways. It adds just enough spice to the post-campaign grind to keep it engaging. Gorn 2 is still best enjoyed in short, chaotic bursts, but it’s easier to return to than its predecessor.
Fatality
One disappointing omission is the local multiplayer feature from the original Gorn, where a second player could control enemies via a DualSense. It wasn’t essential, but it added a silly, party-game flavour that fit the tone perfectly. Its absence makes the sequel feel slightly less playful in group settings — a small but noticeable step back.
Gorn 2 doesn’t try to reinvent the original; instead, it trims the fat, adds flavour, and sharpens the core loop. It’s a sequel that knows exactly what it is and leans into it with more confidence. For returning fans, this is a blood-splattered upgrade that hits all the right notes. If the first game was your kind of chaos, Gorn 2 is simply a better, more polished version of that same madness.
Gorn 2 is out now for PSVR 2.
Review code kindly provided by publisher.