Granblue Fantasy: Versus

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,776 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Game Cover
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Review – Beauty In Simplicity
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"Granblue Fantasy: Versus" is a fighting game set in the vibrant world of the popular Granblue Fantasy franchise. It combines fast-paced combat with RPG elements and features high-quality graphics and sound. The intuitive game system is accessible to both console and mobile gamers, making it a great choice for newcomers and veterans alike.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,776 reviews
gameplay157 positive mentions
grinding29 negative mentions
  • gameplay413 mentions

    The gameplay of "Granblue Fantasy: Versus" is characterized by its accessibility and simplicity, making it a great entry point for newcomers to fighting games, while still offering depth for veterans through its focus on footsies and neutral play. Players appreciate the intuitive mechanics, including cooldowns on special moves and a dedicated block button, which enhance strategic gameplay. However, some critiques highlight the game's slower pace and limited complexity compared to other titles in the genre, alongside concerns about its online matchmaking and community engagement.

    • “So, this is honestly a great fighting game, especially for casual and newbies out there because the gameplay and mechanics are much more simplified. Although it's not an easy game, as you still need to master it if you decide to play on higher difficulty or online against someone with a higher rank.”
    • “The combat mechanics are equally noteworthy, with every character's set of moves showing meticulous craftsmanship, featuring subtle animations and precise controls.”
    • “An emphasis on footsies, a generous buffer system, and optional one-button special move inputs makes the game very kind to beginners, while still rewarding intelligent play and mechanical skill with wall-bounce and juggle combos.”
    • “The gameplay is slow; the AI just can't play the game because it's that slow.”
    • “The gameplay is too basic, and I'm already zzzzzz....”
    • “If you want to get this game to get to know in-game combat gameplay, it's worth it only if it's discounted. Don't bother buying it when there's no discount/sale because the game's active player base is legit deserted except for four players who are only fighting themselves.”
  • graphics282 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning anime-inspired visuals, fluid animations, and vibrant character designs, which many reviewers describe as some of the best in the fighting game genre. Players appreciate the aesthetic appeal, with detailed art styles and impressive sound design enhancing the overall experience. While the visuals are generally praised, some users noted minor issues with graphical clarity and performance on lower-end systems, but overall, the game's presentation is considered a major highlight.

    • “The visuals are nothing short of stunning, with character designs and animations that capture the essence of the anime aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the music and sound design are wonderful as well.”
    • “Granblue Fantasy Versus takes the already incredible art style of the original Granblue Fantasy mobile game and translates it into the most impeccable anime-styled animation and visuals in 3D that can only be matched by other games by the same developer.”
    • “The resolution maxes out at 1080p, which takes a significant hit to its graphical clarity, and the overall details on non-character elements are just not very good.”
    • “It's very potato-friendly due to how the game was designed graphics-wise.”
    • “2080ti user here... but this screen tearing wants me to tear open a new hole to whoever is responsible for the graphics department on the devs' site.”
  • story248 mentions

    The game's story mode, often described as a blend of RPG and beat-em-up elements, offers an engaging narrative set in the Granblue Fantasy universe, though it may feel repetitive and lacks depth in character development for newcomers. While the visuals and music are praised, the presentation leans heavily on a visual novel style that some players find less appealing. Overall, the story is considered enjoyable for fans of the franchise, but it may not captivate those unfamiliar with the original material.

    • “The story mode serves as a tutorial to introduce the combat system, the different characters, and the lore (lots of lore), and honestly, I wish more games did something like this.”
    • “The characters are awesome, the music is brilliant, the art is beautiful, the animations are badass, and the RPG story was absolutely fun to play through.”
    • “The RPG mode is truly fantastic; I love beat 'em ups and never was a super keen fan of the so-called 'story modes', this game, however, truly delivers a great story and even more a fully fledged RPG system.”
    • “The plot is pretty barebones and bland, although you do get an idea of characters’ personalities.”
    • “The story mode is a waste of time but you have to do it to get some cool weapon skins you might like.”
    • “The storytelling is lackluster, consisting of talking head dialogue and exposition.”
  • music181 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its epic soundtracks, character themes, and overall quality, often highlighting the contributions of renowned composers like Nobuo Uematsu. Players appreciate the diverse and memorable tracks that enhance the gameplay experience, although some note that the soundtrack can feel repetitive over extended play sessions. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and a captivating soundtrack creates an immersive atmosphere that resonates well with fans.

    • “Finally, Final Fantasy's composer did a great job with the music on this one.”
    • “The music helps to build up the character you're fighting, or the one you're fighting as if you choose your pick's theme.”
    • “The game's visuals and OST is the most gorgeous thing I've seen and heard, probably the best of every fighting game out there so far.”
    • “Music was kinda forgettable for me.”
    • “Disappointing music/sound design.”
    • “The music is there, no more, no less.”
  • character development31 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is highlighted by stunning visuals and intricate designs that resonate with the anime aesthetic, earning praise for their beauty and detail. While many players appreciate the character designs and animations, some express dissatisfaction with gameplay mechanics and the presence of paywalled content. The character designs are generally regarded as a strong point, contributing to the game's appeal, despite mixed feelings about combat systems and character options.

    • “The visuals are nothing short of stunning, with character designs and animations that capture the essence of the anime aesthetic.”
    • “Character designs are immaculate and gameplay systems are engaging.”
    • “As this is my first fighting game, it's been a blast to see your own character development in a video game.”
    • “The character design is awful; I don't know that ArcSys has much power over that, but nobody screams at me to play them. With 11 base characters on the roster and 2 that were day one DLC on PC, it feels like they ripped out the season pass characters for the sole reason of selling it to you.”
    • “Day one DLC, 2 fighters already behind a paywall, horrible character design.”
    • “I'm not very fond of the character designs, nor the defensive options it provides, nor the input reading for keyboard, which sometimes feels a bit delayed.”
  • grinding29 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the RPG mode and side-scrolling levels tedious and repetitive, often requiring excessive time investment for minimal rewards. While some enjoy the grind for character customization and gear min-maxing, others express frustration over the necessity of grinding for DLC content and the overall netcode issues that exacerbate the experience. Despite these complaints, the boss fights and character mechanics are highlighted as enjoyable elements that can make the grind feel worthwhile for dedicated players.

    • “DLC content that you need to pay for, that you're not even guaranteed to get if you don't put hours into grinding the game, isn't tolerable.”
    • “End game of RPG mode requires unreasonable grinding (level >80 and Beelzebub medals).”
    • “It's basically your standard issue grindy mobile game content with a fighter skin.”
  • optimization27 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth combat and good performance on high-end systems, others experience significant issues such as stuttering, input delay, and the need for extensive tweaks to achieve playable frame rates. The online experience suffers due to a small player base and lack of crossplay, leading to inconsistent matchmaking and lag. Additionally, some users have encountered bugs and performance drops in specific modes, indicating that optimization varies widely depending on hardware and settings.

    • “Runs very well: this might depend on your computer, but the game is very well optimized.”
    • “Performance-wise, I have no complaints whatsoever.”
    • “The port itself is surprisingly well-made with some pretty amazing optimization work, well done!”
    • “A netcode tweak or rollback option is needed in this game just like many FGC players keep on asking for. While I am still testing the BBCF rollback beta, it has proven to have mediocre stability compared to having stuttering play.”
    • “If you don't have a very high-end computer, you're pretty much required to play GBVS on low settings or suffer extreme performance loss, which means that the game doesn't look nearly as good as one might hope.”
    • “The port is poorly optimized and many people have trouble running it.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty character interactions, and numerous pop culture references that keep players entertained. Many reviewers highlight the amusing character designs and funny dialogues, making the gameplay experience enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, the game's humor adds a delightful layer to its puzzle mechanics, appealing to those who appreciate a lighthearted approach.

    • “But what really sets this game apart, in my opinion, is the humor.”
    • “The writing is clever and witty, and with characters like Bobbies and plenty of pop culture references and inside jokes, I found myself laughing throughout.”
    • “This game has lots of cute and funny characters; I would 10/10 play it again.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization of the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers labeling it as exploitative and a "cash grab," particularly due to its reliance on gacha mechanics and in-game purchases. While some appreciate the character pass, the overall sentiment is that the monetization detracts significantly from the game's value and experience.

    • “In-game purchase/DLC: the character pass is good; it contains valuable content.”
    • “There are other fighting games on this platform that feel just as good to play, but don't have that kind of slimy monetization.”
    • “7 out of 10; it would've been an 8 if it wasn't for the microtransactions.”
    • “This game is a cash grab.”
    • “Shameless cash grab.”
    • “Really garbage and exploitive monetization which has been par for the course since this game first released.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game's characters and world, particularly appreciating the wholesome nature of characters like Ladiva. However, the RPG mode is criticized for lacking emotional depth, and technical issues, such as online lag and phantom button presses, detract from the overall experience, preventing the game from reaching its full potential.

    • “Ladiva's too fabulous and wholesome.”
    • “Very fun game - unlike many other fighting games wherein juggling and stopping your opponent from touching the ground is the meta, this one actually lets players fight on a more level field.”
    • “It's a fantastic game that got me hooked on a world and characters I once avoided like the plague because there's no goddamn way I'm touching another gacha game.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse character roster, each with unique abilities and the ability to level up and customize with new skins. The RPG mode offers a solid casual experience, enhanced by a gacha system for loot, making it enjoyable to play with friends and encouraging repeated playthroughs. Overall, the replay value is a significant factor in its appeal.

    • “RPG mode is a solid casual experience and can be fun with friends, taking advantage of the gacha system of obtaining loot, which is a good way to increase replayability.”
    • “The replay value alone makes it worth the purchase.”
    • “It has a lot of replayability.”
    • “With a diverse roster of characters, each with their unique abilities and playstyles, the game provides plenty of variety and replay value.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game exhibits significant stability issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, where users report random freezes and controller recognition problems. Additionally, keyboard support is inconsistent, with some buttons malfunctioning, indicating a lack of polish in the porting process. Despite these issues, the game performs well in terms of scalability.

    • “The game runs great and is very scalable.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
    • “The performance is consistent, allowing me to enjoy long sessions without any interruptions.”
    • “On Steam Deck, I experienced random freezes when accessing the move list and going back to home from a fight in every session.”
    • “If you don't use the exact few types of controllers they tested, chances are it won't get recognized or will be buggy.”
    • “The game is very buggy and cheaply put together/ported.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Granblue Fantasy: Versus

Play time

25hMedian play time
54hAverage play time
10-120hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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