Granblue Fantasy: Relink
- January 31, 2024
- Cygames, Inc.
- 26h median play time
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an exceptional game that captures the essence of the series wonderfully. With tons of characters to play and a hearty endgame to dive into, Granblue Fantasy: Relink will have you coming back for more.
"Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an action RPG where you explore the Sky Realm as the captain of a skyfaring crew. This special edition includes exclusive weapons, in-game items, and color packs to customize playable characters. Join forces with a dragon and a girl with mystical powers as you embark on a grand adventure."
Reviews
- story5,220 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a typical, albeit enjoyable, JRPG narrative filled with familiar tropes such as the "power of friendship." While the main story is relatively short, taking around 10-20 hours to complete, it serves primarily as a tutorial for the game's mechanics and leads into a more extensive endgame focused on grinding and multiplayer quests. Players appreciate the engaging combat and visuals, but some criticize the story for being predictable and lacking depth, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with the Granblue universe. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it is considered serviceable and entertaining enough to complement the gameplay experience.
“The narrative of Granblue Fantasy: Relink seamlessly ties into the broader Granblue Fantasy universe, with an engaging story full of twists and memorable characters.”
“The story balances emotional depth with moments of light-heartedness, ensuring that players stay invested in the journey.”
“Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an exceptional action RPG that shines in every aspect, from its stunning visuals to its dynamic combat and captivating story.”
“Also, the story and dialogue can be absolutely terrible, so bless the devs who came up with the idea to be able to skip every cutscene and get a quick summary of said scene.”
“The story was disappointing because it was very cliché, simple, predictable, and childish.”
“The main story is short and sweet at around 10 hours, but it was packed with very wonderful and less cringe compared to other JRPG games.”
- gameplay2,087 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" has been widely praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid combat, drawing comparisons to popular titles like Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy XIV. Players appreciate the diverse roster of characters, each with unique abilities that encourage experimentation and strategic play, while the cooperative multiplayer aspect enhances the overall experience. However, some reviews note that the gameplay loop can become repetitive, particularly in the endgame, and the story is often seen as lacking depth compared to the robust gameplay.
“The gameplay is fun, the stuff looks cool and it got me interested in the franchise's lore.”
“Whether you're an experienced Granblue Fantasy fan or new to the series, the game’s blend of traditional RPG mechanics with modern action elements ensures that there's something for everyone to enjoy.”
“Gameplay is great, love the mechanics stuff.”
“The gameplay loop is very grindy.”
“Gameplay: the gameplay mimics the mobile version as much as possible, with 4-men squad, difficulty scaling, character improvement through gear/raw number, and the grind.”
“However, while the mechanics are generally simple, and you can easily hack-and-slash your way through the game.”
- graphics1,039 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Granblue Fantasy: Relink* have received widespread acclaim for their stunning anime art style and vibrant visuals, which effectively translate the series' 2D aesthetic into a 3D environment. Players have praised the game's detailed character designs, fluid animations, and impressive combat effects, creating an immersive experience that enhances gameplay. However, some users noted optimization issues and a lack of extensive graphical settings, which could affect performance on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“The game is an absolute visual treat, with character designs and environments that remain faithful to the series’ established art style, while also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on current-generation consoles.”
“The visuals are breathtaking, capturing every detail with vibrant colors and animations that feel straight out of a high-quality anime.”
“Granblue Fantasy: Relink dazzles with its stunning visuals and engaging combat system.”
“The game is clearly not optimized for PC with the limited graphics options and no support for ultrawide.”
“The art style is soulless, the combat is similar to Dragon Quest's spin-off games, the story starts off really weak and isn't captivating at all, neither are the locations for that matter.”
“The port leaves a bit to be desired as it's bare bones for specific PC options with just vague descriptors for each graphical setting.”
- grinding862 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" has received mixed feedback from players. Many reviews highlight that while the main story is relatively short (around 10-15 hours), the endgame content is heavily grind-focused, often requiring players to repeatedly farm for materials, sigils, and weapons, akin to the mechanics found in games like Monster Hunter. While some players enjoy the grind and find it rewarding, others feel it becomes tedious and repetitive, especially due to low drop rates and the necessity to optimize multiple characters. Overall, the game caters well to those who appreciate grinding as a core gameplay element, but it may deter players who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“Overall, strongly recommended for anyone looking for an action RPG / boss hunting type of game that is not too grind-heavy, and with pretty graphics.”
“Non-boss quests are pretty fun and not tedious given that it's like playing a 'warriors' game, and boss quests feel like you're doing an MMO raid.”
“The game is not very grindy.”
“The only aspect of this game that I take issue with is that its 'endgame' grind, which is farming for specific sigils for your build, can be extremely time-consuming and outright mind-numbing.”
“The endgame is way too grindy, and you can now pay to alleviate part of that grind.”
“Grinding for drops simulator.”
- music658 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional soundtrack, which features compositions by renowned artists Nobuo Uematsu and Tsutomu Narita. Players appreciate the variety of tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere, from soothing town themes to exhilarating battle music that heightens the excitement during boss fights. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
“The music is phenomenal, fights are fun, and the game just overall feels satisfying.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely amazing.”
“The music is engaging, though it may be time for Japanese games to shift away from the nostalgia piano/symphony style which seems ubiquitous in anime-inspired games.”
“The music is lacking and honestly it's just missing music half the time to set the mood.”
“Honestly I don't even remember most of the soundtrack so it doesn't stand out as either especially good or bad, but it doesn't detract.”
“80% of the music is from the base game which I have been listening to for a million times already; if you're okay with it and not annoyed like me, there is no problem.”
- optimization305 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal issues, particularly on high-end systems. However, several users have noted significant performance drops in busy areas and a lack of support for ultrawide resolutions, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for all hardware configurations. Overall, while some players enjoy a flawless experience, others face frustrating performance hiccups, suggesting that further optimization updates may be necessary.
“The gameplay and performance are also very well polished, which is also the reason for this game to be played for hours.”
“The game runs smoothly, all the characters have interesting kits and are fun to play.”
“It's a well-optimized character action JRPG with lots of characters and a focus on grinding co-op or with bots.”
“Game is fantastic but the optimization for PC seems to be absolutely terrible.”
“My rig has a 4090 and going from 4k 120fps locked constantly to Steam Deck performance about made me have a seizure.”
“It is clear as day that the devs do not listen to player feedback nor do they playtest any of their content whatsoever and release them while being clearly unoptimized.”
- character development104 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the depth and growth of characters throughout the story, while others feel it falls short, lacking meaningful interactions and backstory. Many appreciate the stunning character designs and unique personalities, but some criticize the overall narrative for being predictable and not fully utilizing the potential for character exploration. Overall, while the visuals and combat mechanics are highly regarded, the character development aspect is seen as an area that could have been significantly improved.
“There's a light plot twist that adds an extra layer of intrigue, and the character development throughout the game is satisfying, as you witness their growth and changes over time.”
“Its stunning anime style and character development make it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
“The character development is very good (even in the parallel stories), the characterization and dubbing is excellent.”
“Character development is also pretty weak, and I wished more was shown about how the crew came together.”
“Characters introduced throughout the main scenario aren't given enough screen time for character development.”
“Story is not engaging, could have used any amount of meaningful character development.”
- replayability97 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, driven by a diverse roster of over 20 unique characters, cooperative gameplay, and a wealth of quests and post-game content. Players appreciate the engaging combat mechanics and character progression systems, which encourage repeated playthroughs and team customization. However, some reviewers express concerns about potential repetitiveness and the need for additional content updates to maintain long-term interest.
“Its co-operative options and diverse cast of characters enhance its replayability, while its roots in the Granblue Fantasy universe will delight fans of the franchise.”
“Exploring the world, collecting gear, leveling up characters, and discovering hidden secrets all add to the game's replayability.”
“Every character has their own unique movesets, skills, and roles, which adds to a greater layer of replayability and customization, especially for making teams of your favorite characters.”
“Less enemies, less customization, less story, less twists in said story, less replayability, less maps, less players to play with, less interaction with the in-game world.”
“The latest update introduced an interesting fight with worthless rewards and little replay value.”
“The problem I have is that there isn't any endgame content/replayability.”
- stability81 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally well-received, with many players reporting a smooth experience and minimal bugs or glitches. While some users experienced occasional crashes or minor issues, particularly with online play and specific cutscenes, these were often overshadowed by the game's overall polish and performance. Many players noted that recent patches have significantly improved stability, making it a solid choice compared to other recent titles plagued by bugs.
“The game runs smoothly (I'm running 120 fps, 1080p on an RTX 30-series) and it's been bug-free for me so far.”
“I, fortunately, did not experience any of the issues encountered in the negative reviews, and it has been a bug-free experience so far.”
“Game runs great, plays great, and holds steady frame rates.”
“There is no point in playing this game as long as it's so buggy that it will literally corrupt your save for no apparent reason.”
“Can't get past the company logo splash screen and crashes // can't boot up the game // can't get past chapter 1 Rolan cutscene to continue main story as it freezes the game and hard crashes it // other cutscenes doing the same thing // game stops booting at all after said cutscenes hard crashes it // blackscreen.”
“Just as everyone else is echoing: the game is a buggy mess and constantly crashes at the slightest interaction.”
- emotional53 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" is characterized by a blend of heartfelt storytelling and light-hearted moments, which keeps players engaged throughout their journey. While some players found the narrative to be somewhat basic and lacking in depth, many highlighted its ability to evoke genuine feelings, with memorable character interactions and emotional side quests that resonated deeply. Overall, the game offers a wholesome experience that can elicit laughter and tears, making players feel connected to the characters and their adventures.
“The story balances emotional depth with moments of light-heartedness, ensuring that players stay invested in the journey.”
“It ran me through the emotional wringer.”
“The story takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride with every chapter; you can never predict what kind of feeling you get as you progress along the story.”
“Boring story.”
“Pretty good combat, boring story.”
“Boring story (but can be completed in 10-15 hours).”
- monetization49 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the initial lack of microtransactions and gacha mechanics, allowing for a more enjoyable experience without pay-to-win elements. However, some users express disappointment over the recent introduction of microtransactions and DLC ads, which detracts from the game's value as a full-priced title. Overall, while the game initially offers a refreshing break from typical monetization practices, concerns about future monetization strategies remain prevalent among players.
“I also enjoy that this game generally doesn't have microtransactions, so it's extremely possible to beat without purchasing anything except for the initial cost to play the game.”
“It feels like they took an action gacha game and ripped out all the monetization from it and gave you a fun game to grind.”
“A full game that's giving everything without gacha or microtransactions is very rare nowadays.”
“The monetization strategy is absurd.”
“The game is great, but the business managers decided to force in pay-to-win microtransactions after launch, together with 'new content' that isn't actually new, as we had previews of that boss fight three years ago.”
“They added pay-to-win microtransactions before adding basic quality of life features that the game desperately needs.”
- humor48 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the characters and voice lines charming and funny, while others criticize the self-aware humor and localization issues as being unintentionally hilarious. Some moments, such as quirky character interactions and absurd dialogue, provide genuine laughs, but the overall comedic quality can vary significantly, leading to both delightful and cringeworthy experiences. Despite its flaws, the game's lighthearted tone and amusing moments contribute to an enjoyable experience for many players.
“The game is beautiful, characters are charming and funny, and the story seems pretty good so far.”
“It's fun but... probably the most unintentionally hilarious dialogue I have ever experienced, with some cheesy, mustache-twirling monologues thrown in here and there.”
“The story is good and the dialogue is funny!”
“Teeth-grindingly generic and deeply unfunny in the worst way possible.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, vibrant world and attention to detail, with music and art style effectively enhancing the immersive experience. Players appreciate the lively towns filled with engaging NPCs and the overall charm that complements the gameplay. The combination of stunning graphics, well-crafted environments, and a lighthearted tone contributes to an unforgettable atmosphere that resonates with both newcomers and seasoned JRPG fans.
“The game’s atmosphere is rich and vibrant, pulling players into a beautifully crafted fantasy universe.”
“This game has exceeded my expectations as this was my first JRPG I have ever played through to the end. The atmosphere within towns and cities was amazing; the world felt super lively, with most random NPCs voiced and doing their own thing, like two NPCs playing in a puddle and chatting away or a group of kids play-fighting outside the church. These details especially stood out the first time you enter these towns.”
“If you're the sort of person who could be suckered in by the characters and atmosphere of a franchise and be lured into trying a gacha game, then I'd recommend giving this a pass, as Granblue Fantasy is a franchise built around its titular mobile gacha game, and gacha is big cringe.”
“However, what I can comment on is the story and the general atmosphere that is created here.”
“In terms of presentation and atmosphere, Relink is impeccable and exactly how the world of Granblue Fantasy was meant to be enjoyed.”
Critic Reviews
Granblue Fantasy: Relink Review – Brave the Skies
Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers an extremely polished experience featuring beautiful visuals, an exhilarating combat system, an intricate character progression system, a solid single-player campaign, an inviting multiplayer, and a wide array of both quests and different playable characters sure to keep you around even after completing its storyline.
90%Granblue Fantasy Relink Wears Its Heart on Its Sleeve
A grand adventure in the skies awaits! Form a party of four from a diverse roster of skyfarers and slash—or shoot or hex—your way to victory against treacherous foes in this action RPG. Take on quests solo or with the help of others in up to 4-player co-op play! Reviewed on PC. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Granblue Fantasy Relink is a game that wears its heart on its sleeve with its sincere narrative and engrossing combat.
70%Granblue Fantasy: Relink (PS5) Review
Granblue Fantasy: Relink might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to storytelling in a JRPG, but as far as fun multiplayer experiences go, Relink soars to new horizons.
80%