GORN, developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital, made a name for itself in the virtual reality (VR) space with its hilariously violent, physics-driven gladiator combat. Players stepped into the role of a cartoonishly exaggerated warrior, pitted against hordes of bumbling but deadly enemies in an arena filled with all manner of brutal weaponry. With a unique blend of slapstick humor and visceral action, GORN became a standout title, proving that VR could be both chaotic and fun. The game also innovated with its local multiplayer feature, allowing one player to take on the role of a gladiator in VR while another controlled an enemy using a traditional gamepad, leading to countless hours of ridiculous mayhem.
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Building on the success of its predecessor, GORN 2 has been officially announced, promising to be “bigger, wilder, and stronger than ever before.” Developed by Cortopia Studios in collaboration with Free Lives, the sequel is set to launch later this year on Meta Quest, SteamVR, and PlayStation VR2. The announcement trailer showcases an even more polished and exaggerated art style, with improved animations, new weapons, and larger-than-life battles that push the absurdity to new heights.
Spending an hour with a preview of GORN 2, I was thoroughly impressed by its improvements. The game has taken everything that made the first installment a blast and refined it even further. Animations are smoother, level design is more intricate, and the characters have more personality than ever before. Playing GORN 2 feels like being thrown into an over-the-top, hyper-violent, yet oddly charming animated version of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator—if it had been directed by a deranged Disney animator.
The gameplay of GORN 2 expands on the core mechanics of the original while introducing new layers of depth and interactivity. The first mission alone throws waves of enemies at you, each varying in size, armor, and weaponry. Your arsenal is hilariously diverse, ranging from traditional swords and shields to bows and arrows, giant pieces of steak that can be used as bludgeoning weapons, and, of course, your own fists—which can send foes flying into the stratosphere with a single well-placed punch. The arenas themselves are filled with deadly environmental hazards that can be used strategically, ensuring that every fight feels dynamic and unpredictable. The controls feel intuitive, and the developers have mastered the perfect balance of physics-based combat, allowing weapons to behave like playful, oversized pool noodles while still delivering satisfying impacts.
One of the most exciting aspects of GORN 2 is that it retains the spirit of the original while refining its mechanics for a more immersive and polished experience. The game runs smoothly on both SteamVR and Quest 3, with no noticeable performance issues on either platform. Whether playing wirelessly on the Quest or pushing the game to its full potential on a high-end PC VR setup, the experience remains fluid and enjoyable.
GORN 2 is exactly what VR should be all about—pure, unfiltered fun that embraces the medium’s strengths without overcomplicating things. In an industry where many VR developers are still struggling to find the right balance between realism and enjoyment, GORN 2 stands out as a shining example of what makes virtual reality gaming so special. It’s thrilling, absurd, and genuinely hilarious, proving that there’s still a place for ion-driven VR experiences in the current gaming landscape. With its release, GORN 2 gives me hope that developers are still willing to push the boundaries of VR gaming and deliver something truly memorable.