Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,058 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Game Cover
AAA fighting games should aspire to be as good as Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.
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"Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising" is a fighting game where players can engage in combat using a variety of characters, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. The Standard Edition includes the base game, while the Deluxe Edition offers additional content such as color variants, weapon skins, and a character pass for six DLC characters. This set includes content that may have already been purchased or obtained separately in the in-game Rupie Shop. 'Granblue Special Item Set: GBVSR Pack' and early access are not included in the Steam version.

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

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,058 reviews
gameplay148 positive mentions
grinding21 negative mentions
  • gameplay422 mentions

    The gameplay of "Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising" is characterized by its accessibility and depth, making it beginner-friendly while still offering complexity for seasoned players. Many reviewers appreciate the intuitive mechanics and diverse character roster, though some express concerns about balance issues and the impact of new universal mechanics that can detract from strategic play. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat, smooth online experience, and stunning visuals, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of certain mechanics and their influence on gameplay dynamics.

    • “Coming off Street Fighter 6, I found this game incredibly beginner-friendly, with mechanics and combos that are easy to pick up while still offering depth for those willing to dig deeper.”
    • “Its blend of accessibility, engaging mechanics, and smooth online experience make it a must-try for anyone curious about the fighting game genre.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid, built out, and interesting so far.”
    • “The character balance is consistently awful; the system mechanics are a complete mess; the risk/reward the game has is incredibly skewed towards the aggressor, leaving the defender at a major disadvantage that is almost insurmountable in many cases absent a meterless reversal or using a brave counter (which makes you take more damage the more you use it).”
    • “The game will probably only get worse over time as updates come along that introduce new mechanics and balance changes that widen the gap between the stronger and weaker characters.”
    • “However, the new system mechanics (in particular the brave points/counter, 66l, and many characters' ultimate skills) are uninteresting and infuriating to play with/against.”
  • story210 mentions

    The story mode in "Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift from the RPG elements of the original game to a more linear and simplified narrative experience. While some appreciate the immersive storytelling and character interactions, others criticize the removal of cooperative play and RPG mechanics, leading to a less engaging single-player experience. Overall, the story mode is seen as enjoyable for newcomers but disappointing for veterans of the series who miss the depth and complexity of the previous installment.

    • “One of the standout features is the game's story mode, which is rich and immersive, providing a compelling narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
    • “Beyond its gameplay and visuals, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising also boasts a captivating story mode that delves deeper into the lore of the Granblue Fantasy universe.”
    • “The character interactions are well-written, and the plot twists are genuinely surprising, adding depth to the overall experience.”
    • “The RPG mode from the first game, which was great for solo players, is replaced with a more linear and simplified story mode.”
    • “The story mode took a hit; there's no co-op that I can find, and it also doesn't appear that you can queue with friends for Granbruise.”
    • “My biggest issue is that the story mode was gutted; the RPG mechanics like the weapon grid, leveling up, and the like are completely gone, instead you just select a cutscene or boss fight, and the co-op seems to be entirely removed from it.”
  • graphics180 mentions

    The graphics of "Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising" are widely praised for their stunning anime art style, vibrant character designs, and beautifully detailed backgrounds that create an immersive experience. Players appreciate the high production quality, smooth animations, and the overall aesthetic appeal, which many consider among the best in the fighting game genre. While some minor graphical issues on certain platforms were noted, the game's visuals consistently enhance its engaging gameplay and captivating world.

    • “The graphics are breathtaking, with beautifully designed characters and vibrant, detailed backgrounds that bring the world of Granblue Fantasy to life.”
    • “Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising boasts stunning visuals that truly bring the characters and world to life.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, the animations and effects are flashy as hell, great sound design gives everything much more impact and presence.”
    • “The PC version, at times, suffers from pixelated character renderings, contrasting with the more polished visuals on consoles.”
    • “No balance patch in December, no patch in January, no patch in February, no fixes for graphics bugs since it came out.”
    • “You should be able to change to the original GBFV art style in settings (the new art style's bloom is quite heavy, this is just personal preference).”
  • music96 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its fantastic quality, diverse soundtracks, and the emotional depth it adds to the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the engaging and uplifting compositions that enhance the game's visuals and character interactions, making it a standout feature. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the best aspects of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal and enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack is just as good—uplifting, dramatic, and full of the fantasy vibes you’d hope for.”
    • “Absolutely gorgeous art and nice soundtrack.”
    • “The music is fantastic, there are lots of fun rewards, there's great single-player content, and the game feels really accessible.”
    • “A lot of love is put into the aesthetics, music, etc., but when it comes to making a rewarding fighting game that feels good to play and learn, the developers missed the mark on this one.”
    • “I put extra time into solving my problems with this game (and that's all it is: a game) for the last two weeks and it's not fun anymore, especially when every third character is 2B with her out-of-place theme song and janky animations and silly fanservice anatomy on display, and that's all before you even touch how her kit is completely out of sync with the rest of the cast.”
    • “- the music just sounds like background noise to me.”
  • humor35 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the quirky and funny character designs, such as the "funny rat," "sheep girl," and "funny wind boy." Many reviews highlight the comedic elements of gameplay, including amusing character interactions and humorous animations, contributing to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience. While some players note that the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a unique charm to the game that many find delightful.

    • “This game is amazing! I love Cagliostro; she's so cute and funny.”
    • “I like all the funny characters (like Belial) and how some of them walk funny. They even have some cool inputs (Belial has a funny claw). Overall, I'd say this game is really fun.”
    • “The chibi avatars are great and have a lot of character, much thanks to the fact that the designs are based off Gran Blues, a web-comic that Cygames runs that gives a more humorous side of the Granblue world.”
  • character development28 mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its stunning and diverse character designs, which are described as both visually captivating and distinctive. Players appreciate the approachable mechanics that allow newcomers to enjoy the game while still offering depth for more experienced players, enhancing the overall experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of balance in character design, though the majority find the characters charming and engaging.

    • “The character designs are beautifully detailed, and the environments are rich and vibrant, bringing the world of Granblue Fantasy to life in stunning detail.”
    • “Most fun and easy to get into fighter I've played to date, not to mention that I absolutely love the character designs overall.”
    • “Despite initial reservations about the anime art style, the game's vibrant visuals and diverse character designs quickly proved captivating.”
    • “Unfortunately, it suffers heavily from its lackluster character design and balance theory.”
    • “For the low price of your human decency, you can play a character designed to be piloted by infants!”
    • “I feel like most players will find at least one character design they vibe with.”
  • monetization23 mentions

    The monetization in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its model for being non-intrusive and allowing free access to cosmetics, while others criticize aggressive practices like battle passes and high-priced DLC. Many players express frustration over the presence of microtransactions in a full-priced game, suggesting that it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while there are commendable aspects, significant concerns about monetization tactics persist.

    • “The only two things I can commend the game on are the monetization model and patches direction.”
    • “It's a very good monetization model where you don't feel like a money cow.”
    • “Cosmetics in-game are all unlockable for free without needing microtransactions, so that's good.”
    • “But watch out for those sneaky monetization tactics—they can kinda kill the vibe.”
    • “This kind of monetization is inexcusable, and only exists to price gouge your customers and punish them for not being good little consumers and buying your deluxe edition right away when they could not possibly know if anything you were adding was worthwhile.”
    • “Screw every developer who releases a broken game packed to the gills with microtransactions and DLC on day one.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game. While some players enjoy the grind for character and weapon unlocks, finding it a satisfying way to engage with the game, others express frustration with the prevalence of bot matches and AFK players, which detracts from the enjoyment of casual play. Additionally, the shift away from traditional RPG elements and character leveling has left some fans feeling that the grinding experience is less rewarding compared to previous iterations.

    • “The supers in this game are especially well done, with wonderfully animated visuals that have a heavy impact. They vary in length, being just short enough to avoid tedium on repeat viewings, yet long enough to provide a satisfying experience. In my opinion, they are perfectly executed.”
    • “Not only that, but the part I can say for sure sucks is the casual mode. All I ever got was bot matches with people just standing there and doing nothing (grinding battle pass, I guess?) and then requesting rematches or facing players who are much more skilled than I am, making me question the very decision of buying the game in the first place.”
    • “To be honest, I'm 30 hours in and still haven't got anything completed yet. There are so many things to do in this game... I'll keep grinding until the release date.”
    • “However, the same cannot be said about the way the new story mode works. It's inferior in all the ways to the previous 2020 release. RPG mode was super fun to play with friends while leveling your characters, but now it's non-existent in Rising. Grinding for new weapons to increase your stats was fun too, but now there is nothing to grind anymore besides achievements and challenges.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy, with issues affecting online connectivity, UI navigation, and gameplay in public lobbies. While some players report smooth performance and occasional brief freezes during netplay, others have encountered persistent glitches and unresponsive elements. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that the developers will address these issues in future updates.

    • “Runs great.”
    • “Rollback runs great, showcasing impressive visual effects and featuring some of the best tracks from the original gacha. The new mechanics add a fun layer to the fighting, complemented by a well-sized roster of characters and a charming online experience.”
    • “It can be pretty buggy from my experience.”
    • “UI and connecting online with people is super buggy and isn't intuitive.”
    • “Game is currently buggy, making it hard to play in public lobbies.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with players reporting solid performance at 60fps on high settings, even on lower-end systems. However, some users noted minor stuttering and tearing during specific animations and suggested improvements for online lobbies to enhance performance further. Despite these issues, the game is considered well-optimized overall, with no major bugs reported.

    • “The game is well optimized too; even on my ROG Ally, I get a solid 60fps locked at max settings 1080p in 15w mode.”
    • “With all these characters, it helps to understand the actual data behind them and what their strongest tools could be to enhance your performance at a higher level.”
    • “No performance issues or bugs on my end so far.”
    • “Day 2-3 and D rank players with 5 games played are doing the most optimized combos and whiff punishing you for half your health.”
    • “As it is, it is definitely not worth the price, and the intentionally stuttering animations of the character intros are irritating.”
    • “While the lobbies are fine, they seem to have some performance issues even on strong systems, so perhaps an option to turn down the number of players visible, similar to what Street Fighter 6 did to reduce the load on PCs.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game offers a variety of modes that enhance its replayability, particularly in online and multiplayer settings. However, there is criticism regarding the lack of solo content and unlockable features, which diminishes the replay value for players seeking a more single-player experience. Overall, while the online play is significantly improved, the absence of robust solo options may limit replayability for some users.

    • “There's a plethora of game modes to mess around with for replay value.”
    • “The game is enjoyable and much more playable online than the original GBVS. It's significantly better value as well.”
    • “The RPG mode not only had co-op but also allowed you the chance to unlock tons of stuff really fast, making solo replayability a big selling point.”
    • “Despite the plethora of game modes to mess around with, the lack of solo replayability and unlockability is disappointing.”
    • “The solo experience has been shot in the foot while all online and multiplayer aspects have been buffed; this isn't a bad thing for a fighting game, but the RPG mode and solo replayability were significant selling points in the first game.”
    • “There's no way to ensure matches are playable, especially with rollback playing poorly due to the fast startups in this game.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of intense gameplay and a supportive community, where high-stakes comebacks create thrilling moments. While some characters are designed with sexual appeal, the overall atmosphere remains heartwarming and wholesome, reflecting the good nature of the fighting game community. However, the novelty of certain gameplay mechanics may diminish over time, impacting long-term engagement.

    • “It's always heartwarming to see how overall good-natured the fighting game community remains.”
    • “As with any community review, it's anecdotal, but I will say the game IP originates from a gacha, hence many characters, but definitely not all, are designed to be sexually appealing. Sometimes even comedically, and such the community is what you would expect in that environment but is otherwise very wholesome.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is characterized as relaxed and laid-back, contributing to a comfortable gaming experience.

    • “It's a pretty laid-back atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

Buy Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

Play time

63hMedian play time
151hAverage play time
10-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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