Granblue Fantasy: Versus

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,044 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Game Cover
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Review – Beauty In Simplicity
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"Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Standard Edition" is a thrilling fighting game that offers both single and multi-player modes for up to 2 players. Engage in epic battles and forge your glory as you master an array of unique characters and their abilities. The game encourages you to "Forge your glory in the flames of battle," offering a challenging and engaging experience for fans of the genre.

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

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,044 reviews
gameplay171 positive mentions
grinding33 negative mentions
  • gameplay447 mentions

    The gameplay of *Granblue Fantasy: Versus* is characterized by its accessibility, featuring simple mechanics that are easy for newcomers to grasp while still offering depth for veterans. The combat emphasizes footsies and neutral play, reminiscent of traditional fighting games like *Street Fighter*, with a cooldown system for special moves that encourages strategic thinking. However, some players find the gameplay to be somewhat basic and lacking in complexity compared to other titles in the genre, and issues with online play and netcode have been noted as drawbacks.

    • “The mechanics are smooth and streamlined for new players, but the gameplay is fast-paced and competitive enough for fighter veterans.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are intuitive and challenging without being frustrating, and the graphics and sound design are top-notch.”
    • “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....”
    • “The gameplay itself gets pretty repetitive quickly because the system is limited and there is so much paid content.”
  • graphics304 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning anime-inspired visuals, vibrant character designs, and smooth animations. Players appreciate the game's ability to capture the essence of the Granblue universe while maintaining a high level of detail and aesthetic appeal, making it one of the best-looking fighting games available. Overall, the graphics are described as beautiful, polished, and a significant draw for both newcomers and seasoned players alike.

    • “The visuals are nothing short of stunning, with character designs and animations that capture the essence of the anime aesthetic.”
    • “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 graphics are stunning and beautiful as Arc System Works continues to work a magic seemingly only they know.”
    • “Months ago I would have written a comprehensive review, but there is no value in purchasing this game anymore over its sequel, Rising, which expands upon the gameplay, graphics, progression, and content significantly despite using the same assets.”
    • “The resolution maxes out at 1080p, which takes a significant hit to its graphical clarity (I know it's because of the drawn art, but still), and the overall details on non-character elements are just not very good.”
    • “2080 Ti 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.”
  • story280 mentions

    The story mode of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique RPG elements and engaging character interactions, while others criticize its repetitive gameplay and visual novel-style presentation. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative and character development, especially for fans of the Granblue Fantasy universe, but some find the story lacking in excitement and coherence for newcomers. Overall, the story mode is seen as a solid addition to the fighting game genre, offering a blend of RPG mechanics and traditional storytelling, though it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The story is quite good, solid anime take; I love the characters and how it handles the world itself.”
    • “The animation and story mode are so fun and engaging.”
    • “The rpg mode adds a story-driven experience where players can grind, customize their builds, and dive deeper into the Granblue universe.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story mode feels generic and relies on some investment in the Granblue Fantasy universe.”
  • music194 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and variety, with many reviewers highlighting the epic soundtracks and character themes that enhance the overall experience. While some players noted that the soundtrack can feel repetitive during extended play, the majority found it to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, fitting, and a key element of the game's appeal.

    • “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 soundtrack includes a lot of classic tracks from Granblue itself, as well as new themes for characters, and they're all lovely.”
    • “The visuals are amazing, the music is fantastic, and as of thus far there isn't a single character I'd say isn't really fun.”
    • “The soundtrack, while fitting for battles, may feel repetitive after extended play sessions.”
    • “Additional tracks or more variety in music could enhance the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game.”
    • “The music is there, no more, no less.”
  • character development37 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by stunning visuals and intricate character designs that resonate with the anime aesthetic, earning praise for their beauty and detail. While many players appreciate the artistic quality and the depth of character design, some express dissatisfaction with the gameplay mechanics and the presence of paywalled content. Overall, the character designs are a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite mixed feelings about other aspects.

    • “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.”
    • “Visual style is just extraordinary, the character designs are super detailed, shading on them is complex, animations are on straight-up anime sakuga level, effects are punchy and cool.”
    • “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.”
    • “While the graphics and character design look great, I'm just not a big fan of the combat system.”
  • grinding33 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players enjoy the RPG mode and find it engaging, many criticize it for being tedious and repetitive, especially in side-scroller levels. The necessity of grinding for character unlocks and rewards, coupled with netcode issues in ranked matches, leads to frustration for some, particularly those familiar with the mobile version of Granblue Fantasy. Overall, the game offers a grind-heavy experience that may appeal to dedicated fans but can feel burdensome to others.

    • “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.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on modest PCs and noting smooth combat and creative movesets. However, others have reported significant issues, including poor online performance, stuttering, and the need for extensive tweaks to achieve acceptable frame rates. Overall, while some users find the game well-optimized, many others experience frustrating performance problems, particularly on lower-end systems.

    • “The way Arc has made something like this, what was at first a mobile game, into a fighting game with such optimization and amazing gameplay is actually mind-blowing, in my opinion.”
    • “Beautiful game and fun characters, and well optimized—what else can you ask for?”
    • “The port itself is surprisingly well-made with some pretty amazing optimization work; well done!”
    • “The port is poorly optimized and many people have trouble running it.”
    • “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.”
    • “You can find people in ranked sometimes but it's rare and since the playerbase is both small and split between PS4/PC (aka no crossplay), your opponents will be way off your rank and most likely won't be living near you, meaning you'll be dealing with really bad stuttering and input delay during matches.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty character interactions, and a plethora of pop culture references that keep players entertained. Many reviewers highlight the amusing character designs and funny dialogue, particularly in RPG mode, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience. Overall, the game's humor is a significant draw, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a comedic twist in their gaming.

    • “But what really sets this game apart, in my opinion, is the humor.”
    • “The writing is clever and witty, and you have characters with plenty of pop culture references and inside jokes that had me laughing.”
    • “This game has lots of cute and funny characters; would 10/10 uohhh again.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The monetization in this fighting game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers labeling it as exploitative and a "cash grab," primarily due to its gacha elements and aggressive microtransactions. While some appreciate the character pass, the overall sentiment is that the monetization detracts significantly from the gaming experience, leading to frustration and a reluctance to engage with the game.

    • “In-game purchase/DLC: the character pass is good; it contains valuable content.”
    • “There's 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; would've been an 8 if it wasn't for the microtransactions.”
    • “This game is a cash grab.”
    • “Really garbage and exploitive monetization which has been par for the course since this game first released.”
    • “I can't compliment the game itself enough but I have to give it a thumbs down just because of the monetization.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the characters and world of the game, particularly appreciating the wholesome nature of characters like Ladiva. Despite technical issues affecting gameplay, the emotional impact of the visuals and character design, especially in HD, resonates deeply, evoking nostalgia and joy. However, frustrations with online play detract from the overall experience, preventing the game from reaching its full potential.

    • “Ladiva's too fabulous and wholesome.”
    • “Also seeing Narmaya and Lancelot in HD made me cry.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse character roster, each offering unique abilities and playstyles, which encourages players to experiment with different strategies. The RPG mode enhances this aspect by allowing players to level up characters and obtain new skins, while the gacha system for loot adds an engaging layer of variety. Overall, players find the replay value significant, making it a worthwhile purchase.

    • “With a diverse roster of characters, each with their unique abilities and playstyles, the game provides plenty of variety and replay value.”
    • “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.”
    • “All characters in RPG mode are playable, and each of them can be leveled up, get new weapon skins, and normal skins.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with users reporting random freezes, particularly on the Steam Deck, and issues with controller recognition and keyboard support. While some glitches exist, the game remains enjoyable and scalable for many players. Overall, it appears to be poorly optimized and buggy.

    • “The game runs great and is very scalable.”
    • “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

35hMedian play time
75hAverage play time
10-177hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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