In the city of Hekseville, reconstruction is progressing after the incident caused by the former mayor, D’nelica. After a gravitational disturbance is reported in the floating district of Neu Hiraleon, Kat travels there with her gravity shifting partner Raven, and Syd, a police officer, to investigate. Following a fight with mysterious androids, the three are sucked into a gravitational vortex and transported to a different world, along with the entire district. The events of the game begin when Kat and Syd arrive in the impoverished Banga Village. They befriend a girl named Cecie, who also arrived in mysterious circumstances, and work to mine Gravity Ore, traveling into Rift Planes to harvest it to sell to unscrupulous trader Vogo Sun. After preventing his attempt to shortchange the village, they travel to the floating city of Jirga Para Lhao for supplies. There, they realize that the city's rich are oppressing its poor through military force, and the use of Raven, who has been brainwashed to believe she is called Night Gale.
Players are able to choose among three gravity styles: the original style from the first game, Lunar and Jupiter. Lunar is light and increases Kat's speed and her ability to jump higher. Jupiter makes Kat feel heavy, giving her attacks more impact. Players can change between gravity styles using the touch pad. The Nevi return in Gravity Rush 2, along with other enemies, such as human soldiers, some of whom operate combat mechs. Fellow Gravity Shifter Raven, who appeared as an antagonist for most of the first game, becomes an AI-controlled ally who can fight with Kat during certain battles.