Sony is readying a big push on one of its bigger holiday releases, starting with a fan favorite by announcing that it will release Gravity Rush 2 for PlayStation 4 on December 2. The game features a heroine named Kat and her companion, Raven (who happens to be a cat), as she battles enemies using her special power: manipulating gravity so that sides of buildings and ceilings turn into walkable platforms. The game is the follow-up to Gravity Rush Remastered, which released for the PlayStation 4 in February, adapted from the PlayStation Vita version.
While Sony is still riding high on the success of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, that isn’t keeping it from promoting this particular cult-favorite game in an innovative way, as it’s working on an anime program that will tie in with it.
Titled Gravity Rush: The Animation—Overture, the series will focus on Kat’s misadventures between the first game and the second. It’s being put together by Studio Khara, the same team responsible for the popular Japanese anime Rebuild of Evangelion. The series is expected to release before Gravity Rush 2 comes out in an effort to build up hype for the sequel.
Considering how fans are enjoying a variety of anime programs at the moment, including the dozens available across services like Netflix and CrunchyRoll, the tie-in for a program with Gravity Rush is a solid idea. Plus, it’s a tactic that’s been quite successful for other companies in the past that have released animated programs alongside game releases.
For instance, Electronic Arts released separate home video movies to coincide with their Dead Space and Mass Effect titles, with both Dead Space: Downfall and Mass Effect: Paragon Lost getting strong reception from fans. In addition, Sega promoted its heroine Bayonetta with her own Japanese anime film, Bloody Fate, which got equally positive reviews on its release back in 2013 while bringing the star back into the spotlight as Nintendo prepared to launch Bayonetta 2.
It’s a move that helps flesh out the characters and worlds to new players while generating interest in the games. Considering the game’s art style and presentation, it seems right at home for a Japanese anime-style program.
Those who pre-order the game will also have access to other Gravity Rush-based goodies, including bonus costumes for Kat and a nine-track soundtrack—giving players something more to indulge in besides the anime.
