Granblue Fantasy: Relink

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.

86%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

93% User Score Based on 20,742 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 49 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $57.90

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About

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+10

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,791 reviews

story2.4k positive mentions

grinding1.7k negative mentions

The game features high replayability with a diverse roster of over 20 unique characters, co-op gameplay, and extensive post-game content.
Stunning visuals and engaging combat mechanics are highlighted as major strengths, creating an immersive experience.
The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the atmosphere and overall enjoyment of the game.

The story is often criticized for being short, predictable, and filled with typical anime tropes, lacking depth and originality.
Many players find the endgame content excessively grindy and repetitive, leading to a sense of monotony.
The game suffers from optimization issues, particularly on PC, with reports of performance drops and limited graphical options.

story
10,473 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
5%
The story of *Granblue Fantasy: Relink* is generally described as short, predictable, and filled with typical anime tropes, often likened to a "power of friendship" narrative. While it serves as a basic introduction to the game's world and characters, many players feel it lacks depth and originality, making it more of a tutorial for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative experience. However, the engaging combat, stunning visuals, and extensive post-game content are highlighted as the true draws of the game, with many players recommending it primarily for its gameplay rather than its story.
- “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 pretty standard for a JRPG, and the plot is incredibly generic and doesn't try to subvert or remix common JRPG tropes/story beats in the slightest.”
gameplay
4,184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
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 and playstyles, which adds depth and variety to the gameplay experience. However, some critiques highlight the grindy nature of the gameplay loop and the repetitive endgame content, suggesting that while the combat is enjoyable, it can become monotonous over time. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize gameplay and action over a complex narrative.
- “The gameplay is fun, the music is great (especially the chapter 5 boss fight)!”
- “The gameplay loop is similar to that of monster hunter, but having a faster pace and instead of crafting new armor you manage a party of different members with their unique skill trees, weapons, and sigils.”
- “The gameplay is extremely addictive, feeling both agile and fluid—essential for a game you'll be spending countless hours on.”
- “Gameplay loop was very grindy.”
- “Ultimately, whether you end up spending 10 or 100+ hours in this game will depend entirely on whether or not you get hooked on this gameplay loop.”
- “However, the gameplay loop at the end game seems like Cygames tried to copy Monster Hunter without really understanding what made it truly great and instead put in as much junk sigil farming as possible over very few specific boss fights.”
graphics
2,095 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
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 rich 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 limitations in graphical options and optimization issues, particularly on PC, which could detract from the overall visual experience.
- “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 is a visually stunning masterpiece that captivates players like myself with its gorgeous graphics and an engaging albeit short main storyline that leaves you craving for more.”
- “The game is clearly not optimized for PC with the limited graphics options and no support for ultrawide.”
- “Refunded because it runs poorly and there's no meaningful graphical options to adjust.”
- “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.”
grinding
1,727 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" is a significant point of contention among players, with many noting that while the initial gameplay is engaging, the endgame becomes excessively grindy. Players can expect to spend hundreds of hours farming for weapons, sigils, and character upgrades, often repeating the same quests and battling similar bosses, which can lead to a sense of monotony. However, those who enjoy grinding, particularly in a cooperative setting, may find the experience rewarding and addictive, especially given the game's fun combat mechanics and character variety.
- “Overall, strongly recommended for anyone looking for an action RPG / boss hunting type of game that is not too grinding-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.”
- “You'll reach a point in the game where the artificial difficulty becomes ridiculous forcing you to grind your brain into oblivion, I fell asleep from time to time doing repetitive grinding because it was so boring.”
music
1,324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
32%
1%
The music in "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional soundtrack, which features compositions by renowned artists like Nobuo Uematsu and Tsutomu Narita. Players highlight the music's ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with calm town themes and exhilarating boss fight tracks that elevate the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is described as top-tier, memorable, and a significant strength of the game, contributing to its engaging combat and beautiful visuals.
- “The music is top tier as well as everything else in it.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, especially the end credit OST.”
- “The music goes hard, as is to be expected from a Granblue game (I am actually listening to 'End of Ragnarok' while writing this).”
- “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.”
- “The story kinda sucks, the music is lacking and honestly it's just missing music half the time to set the mood.”
- “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 getting annoyed like me, there is no problem.”
optimization
611 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
58%
8%
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 encounter 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.”
- “It's super optimized and is really enjoyable.”
- “The game's performance is truly outstanding, boasting seamless gameplay at 1440p resolution and 120 frames per second on ultra settings.”
- “Game is fantastic but the optimization for PC seems to be absolutely terrible.”
- “The game is clearly not optimized for PC with the limited graphics options and no support for ultrawide.”
- “Horrible optimization (my 4090 was pegged at 90% to run this at 1440p 120fps - laughable).”
character development
209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
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 engagement and screen time for many characters. The stunning character designs and visuals are consistently highlighted, but there are complaints about the overall narrative being predictable and not fully utilizing the potential for character exploration. Overall, while the game excels in aesthetics and combat, the character development aspect could have been more robust and impactful.
- “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.”
- “With excellent combat and cinematography, Granblue Fantasy Relink provides strong character development and epic encounters throughout its 20-hour campaign and many more hours after that.”
- “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.”
replayability
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The game boasts high replayability, driven by a diverse roster of over 20 unique characters, co-op gameplay, and a wealth of quests and post-game content. Players appreciate the ability to explore different character builds and strategies, enhancing the overall experience. While some express a desire for more content updates and character additions, the existing gameplay offers substantial replay value, making it a solid investment for both solo and multiplayer sessions.
- “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 problem I have is that there isn't any endgame content/replayability.”
- “It's a good game for the story, but that is really short. The sugar rush feeling I had playing it the first time around was amazing, but frankly I'd have taken my money back for anything that had more replayability if I knew they would pad out the game with irrelevant boring content past the launch like they did.”
stability
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
1%
63%
Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback from players. While many report a smooth experience with little to no bugs or crashes, others have encountered significant issues such as freezing during cutscenes and problems with online play. Recent patches have addressed some of the initial bugs, leading to a generally more stable experience, but some players still experience frustrating technical difficulties.
- “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.”
emotional
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of "Granblue Fantasy: Relink" is characterized by a blend of heartfelt storytelling and light-hearted moments, engaging players through relatable characters and a captivating soundtrack. While some players found the narrative to be somewhat basic and lacking in depth, many expressed that it evoked genuine feelings, with several moments leading to tears and nostalgia. Overall, the game successfully creates a wholesome experience that resonates emotionally, despite critiques of its pacing and story complexity.
- “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.”
- “I got goosebumps and was emotionally attached to these characters I had only just learned about a couple of days back.”
- “This game made me feel human and that my life's mission is complete... 10/10 would listen to the OST non-stop for three days straight again.”
- “Boring story”
- “Pretty good combat, boring story.”
- “- Boring story (but can be completed in 10-15 hours)”
monetization
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
77%
20%
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, concerns have arisen as some players report the introduction of microtransactions post-launch, which has led to disappointment and accusations of the game becoming a cash grab. Overall, while the game initially offers a full experience without additional costs, the potential for future monetization remains a contentious issue among the community.
- “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 gives 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 p2w microtransactions after launch, together with 'new content' that isn't actually new, as we had previews of that boss fight three years ago.”
- “Not only that but a month after launch they decide to add microtransactions in form of 'packs' for those stuck in the grind to get items.”
humor
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
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 or deeply unfunny. Despite some generic dialogue and awkward translations, the game manages to deliver amusing moments, particularly through its quirky characters and unexpected situations. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a lighthearted charm to the experience.
- “The game is beautiful, characters are charming and funny, and the story seems pretty good so far.”
- “This game is a blast, the voice lines are hilarious, and the side stories are varied and interesting.”
- “The tutorial battle's ending made me laugh out loud, 'they didn't!' because they did.”
- “Teeth-grindingly generic and deeply unfunny in the worst way possible.”
atmosphere
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
48%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, vibrant world and attention to detail, effectively immersing players in a beautifully crafted fantasy universe. The music complements the setting well, while lively NPC interactions enhance the overall experience, making towns feel dynamic and engaging. Reviewers highlight the game's art direction and visual style as phenomenal, contributing to an impeccable presentation that captivates players throughout their journey.
- “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. I won't say the story is anything outstanding, but the atmosphere within towns and cities was amazing. The world felt super lively; most random NPCs have been voiced and are 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 things especially stood out the first time you get into 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.”