While Gravity Rush is transcendental, it still proved quite a surprise to see that the game’s so-called “Complete Guide” is indeed a complete guide – literally containing every bit of information or art one could desire.
It’s The Complete Guide
Gaming guides do contain quite useful details most of the time, yet it’s truly one of a kind to see a guide as ridiculously comprehensive as that of Gravity Daze – which is rather fitting actually as it sustains the atmosphere of arete quality which the game has singlehandedly managed to establish around itself, whilst also keeping up the novel feel for which it is renowned.
Valuable knowledge is found in two forms of medium within this tome – the text contained inside is heavily explanatory, although that predominately speaks for itself, the true surprise arrives in how expansive the visuals are, exhibiting extensive illustrations of absolutely every aspect of the game, from characters, to settings, and even signage.
Speaking strictly of quantity, the number of actual production material boasted within this book not even rivals, but completely surpasses even what is found in most artbooks – and on the note of quality, it would be laughable to even put anything on par with Gravity Rush in that respect, as if the same doesn’t apply to others as well. Indeed, it says “Complete Guide” on the front cover of the volume in all capital typography – yet it is only till one turns a few pages before coming to realize that the book’s title is certainly not exaggerating.
Yet before even moving as far as the first page, one will be struck with awe simply at the sight of the stunning art piece adorning the book’s face – a truly gorgeous work featuring the heroine’s visage up-close, with vivid, captivating colors, as well as lines and shadow lavishing in their gentle demeanor.
Now moving to the first page within the book, it’s not merely that the artwork is of an unparalleled master caliber – yet the emotion packed behind every scene is simply overwhelming.
Just beyond the front cover of the guidebook, one will be met with a monumental sight – the start of it all.
An Apple Unforgettable
Within the game, we receive the scene in first person – yet now we see it here in third, our adventurous heroine stands atop a platform elevated inexplicably high in skies, only a short distance away from her castle. It’s immensely curious as to what exactly led her to take this miniature stroll in the clouds – yet also, one must ask a more unusual question, from where did her clothing come?
Recalling the game, a calamity was said to have ensued which traumatized her royalty – and thus, of course, this scene is post-tragedy. That in mind, what sort of incident would inspire a queen to venture off, alone, and whilst dressed in an ensemble certainly not of her status? The vehement rage for a sequel is merely growing past the pinnacle as one continues to wonder just what truth there is behind this.
Focusing on another aspect of the display, this is where it all begins, as was aforementioned – yet how?
Our heroine picked at an apple till it fell, subsequently rolling off the platform and down into a void of gravity storms, and a world unknown – at that point however, that’s where all goes blank. The apple is seen rolling within the pavements of Heksville – and likewise, our heroine doesn’t remember anything prior to awakening within her new home. As for us, we see no more than her lightning descent into the place.
It’s unclear how Kat fell from the platform – and one can simply do no more than insinuate the most plausible ordeal, meaning that perhaps, she slipped whilst making a grasp for the apple. Considering another possibility however, it is known that something horrible did occur during her time as queen – she switched out of her royal outfit as one can see, and with her time relaxing on the platform, perhaps this was a sort of “final consideration”
In other words, recall how the apple looks to fall a good while off the platform within the opening cutscene of Gravity Rush, with the camera shifting slightly as if Kat were glancing at it just slightly, before the camera then moves elsewhere – our heroine might have intentionally dived, hoping to commit suicide as result of grief and sorrow from the horror of her collapsed regime.
Of course, from there she would have went on to learn of the other locations along the world tree – as well as the fact that she can control gravity, which ultimately means her fate was not of death, assuming such a scenario were indeed the case.
Page 1 Hasn’t Even Begun…
Contemplation can keep spiraling near endlessly, and in a manner all so enjoyable, from merely what is literally the first page after the cover exterior – a page which isn’t even past the table of contents yet.
Carrying onward, one can see a rather solid showcase of our heroine’s former home, the mystical castle, in the form of conceptual imagery from a possibility that never was – a slight variant on the world pillar. Some assorted artworks open the book, which is then followed with character enlightenment – and the book truly exhibits every single variant or detail there is to see of them.
A mentionable facet, this “Complete Guide” is definitely very rewarding in general – although it’s worth specifically praising the face patterns, the different visage artworks which accompany speech within the game, arranged beautifully in rows within the book, as they truly act as a fantastic feature of the creative dialogue presentation within Gravity Rush. Indeed, not even the Metal Gear Solid series has managed comic style communications to such a lofty extent of exquisite.
Further moving along, the special transformation of heroine and cat is quick within the game – thus one wouldn’t have thought much of it. Yet when seeing the Kat and Dusty combo in a manner optimized for admiring, as is the case within this marvelous book, one will then come to realize how amazing it looks indeed – yet also how fascinating as well. It’s inevitable that one will ask themselves what is it which makes Kat capable of this otherworldly power – although the answer to that, of course, is still something not to be found just yet.
Now another item to boggle the mind are the various renditions of Alias which were not drafted in the final production – regardless of how his looks were played, the fellow remains completely ambiguous in appearance, as well as personality. Hopefully however, if a second title of Gravity Rush does arrive, it will unveil the identity under the gasmask.
On another note, it should certainly be evident now – the book is comprehensive to no end, and for a series as Gravity Rush, such means that it will be impossible, plain preposterous, to spend any less than an hour or so per page glaring and pondering.
The character art will be one of the most engaging aspects, as will be the various concept works of scenery, and even the Nevi database – and while one might think at first that the storyboard collection, the entire replaying of every scene seen within the game, will be a section more quickly skimmed through, one will merely become lost in reliving the glorious interactive masterpiece which is Gravity Rush.
A game revolutionary, with a guidebook equally so.
Aug 16, 2012 @ 3:24 CDT
By the looks of it, Gravity Rush seems a great game. Yet another reason for me to obtain a PS Vita for my birthday (besides P4: Golden) :)
Aug 16, 2012 @ 9:19 CDT
A very great game.