I was thrilled to finally get some hands-on time with Cygames’ latest RPG, Granblue Fantasy: Relink. Although I had been exposed to various media related to the franchise and read other writers’ previews on our site, I hadn’t had the chance to play it myself until now. As a spin-off of the widely acclaimed mobile/browser game Granblue Fantasy, Relink aspires to transform the game’s rich fantasy world and characters into a substantial console RPG experience. This opportunity came at an event preceding The Game Awards, where I spent an extended period playing Relink. As someone who occasionally dabbles in RPGs and a critic wary of buying into the hype, I was pleasantly surprised.
For those unfamiliar with the original Granblue Fantasy, it is a series created by industry veterans that features a sprawling fantasy world with a blend of steampunk and medieval influences, filled with colourful characters and sweeping locales. The mobile game was very narrative-focused, guiding the player through the many aspects of the universe, but Relink takes the reins off and lets players freely explore the world while engaging in thrilling real-time combat against screen-filling beasts and baddies. There is real talent at the helm, and that is visible through every choice made in this release.
Relink has clearly been designed both for existing Granblue fans and total newcomers like myself—although I have watched the anime first released in 2016. The opening hours introduce a cast of charming heroes with distinct personalities, including your choice of male or female protagonist. It is hard not to enjoy the characters, each with a deep back story and complex motives for being a part of your crew. The story eases you in without assuming prior franchise knowledge while dropping hints about a grander underlying mythology that should delight longtime fans.
“The Cygames team has nailed the action RPG formula here and presented it as an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master set of systems that work wonderfully together.”
While the narrative takes center stage here, Relink’s moment-to-moment gameplay is all about its well-refined combat. The Cygames team has nailed the action RPG formula here and presented it as an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master set of systems that work wonderfully together. Battles employ a free-flowing action system where you directly control your chosen hero, chaining together light and heavy attacks into flashy combos. It feels great to carve through hordes of enemies, swapping between multiple equipped weapons on the fly, like going from a pair of blades to a hefty battleaxe.
I loved how easy the combat was to get the hang of, quickly sorting out how to chain attacks and use the team mechanics and powers to take down some powerful enemies. Similar to what you can find in Final Fantasy XVI, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is action-focused, with you controlling your selected character while your team fights alongside you. You can help guide your team in single-player, but it is all about utilizing the strengths and weaknesses of your team for battles.
When going into a battle, you need to select the members you want to venture into the fray with. One of them needs to be the custom player insert of the captain, with the rest of your roster adjustable based on what you need for that particular fight. I really enjoyed how this all worked, giving the players the options to be as defensive or offensive as they want to be. It also is great to build out a squad that you personally enjoy, especially with so many unique characters available in the game.
“Boss fights take things to the next level within Granblue Fantasy: Relink, demanding equal parts strategy and quick reflexes.”
As with many RPGs similar to this, Boss fights to take things to the next level within Granblue Fantasy: Relink. With these battles involving many phases and the need to work as a team, the tight combat system shines, demanding equal parts strategy and quick reflexes. This is where one misstep can cause total disaster but also where some of the best moments of the gameplay really shine. You need to study attack patterns while nimbly dodging, guarding, and retaliating. Successfully vanquishing these epic battles provides an awesome sense of accomplishment and gives great rewards to a team that works closely together.
On top of the story mode, Granblue Fantasy: Relink boasts a separate co-op-focused Multiplayer component called Quests that can take over 20 hours to complete. This mode also supports AI companions, so you can play solo or fill out your squad as needed. Between the main story and multiplayer, we are talking over 40 hours of questing.
Not happy to be done with a simple 20-30 hour story, the team at Cygames has plenty of end-game content waiting for when you are done with the main story. While it all can be played alone, these are sections that are made for teams looking to get the most from Granblue Fantasy: Relink. They can be done in a range of teams, including you doing solo, and give dedicated players ways to flex their RPG combat muscles.
I only got a small segment of these end-game areas, with members of the development team working together to take down a dragon, but it was captivating to watch. We’re talking about high-level challenges tailored around a party of four live players. This endgame loop aims to offer at least 40 hours of replayable late-game content, allowing you to push your squad’s abilities to the limit while acquiring rare loot.
As someone who loves what JRPGs bring to the genre, I’m confident in saying Granblue Fantasy: Relink has all the markings of a new classic in the making. It nails all the expected checkboxes: a likable cast, an expansive fantasy world, an epic storyline, and a combat system that’s as challenging as it is fun. But it’s Relink’s ambitious investment in co-op that could give it an edge over peers and has the potential to leave a real mark on the industry.
Slated for release on February 1, 2024, Relink will be coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. This gives it the potential for a nice install base across console and desktop gamers. For RPG fans, Granblue Fantasy: Relink should absolutely be on your radar. It has all the makings of another timeless adventure, one best experienced while swapping stories and conquests with friends. I, for one, can’t wait to fully dive in and get lost in this grand new fantasy.
