Step forth beyond the blue in Cygames’ upcoming RPG extravaganza Granblue Fantasy: Relink. The game’s mobile-only forebearer is something of a cult classic in the East, with the Japanese developer believing now is the best time to unveil their marquee IP onto the rest of the world. There are significant changes that’ll make Granblue Fantasy: Relink more palatable to global audiences, most notably in its combat, but if the game as whole is as good as the gameplay we’ve seen then we’re looking at something very special indeed.
It’s an action RPG
Granblue Fantasy: Relink represents Japanese developer Cygames’ most ambitious title to date. Central to that ambition is to shift Granblue Fantasy: Relink beyond the turn-based approach to combat present on the original game released for mobile and internet browsers back in 2014. Cygames say they recognise that mobile games aren’t as popular in the West as they are in the East, so this might provide one explanation towards the more action-orientated approach to Relink. Another might just be of a studio finding confidence and spreading their wings after the warm reception to prior games.
Gameplay will be newcomer friendly
Anyone whose had early access to playing Granblue Fantasy: Relink will attest to the gameplay being familiar to any fan of action RPGs. This is deliberate according to the developer and the team at Cygames have been very careful in making Granblue Fantasy: Relink as newcomer friendly as possible by incorporating fluid, responsive, and intuitive controls. Of course, there’s nuance and specific upgrade paths and special moves and the like but getting the hang of the gameplay will be immediate.
Combat
Combat in Granblue Fantasy: Relink takes the form of real-time fast paced action with basic attacks, enemy dodging, combos, character specific signature moves, and magic. Enemy offense, especially the attack pattern of bosses, will need to be learned to progress, and from the gameplay footage we’ve seen so far there seems to be a great deal of enemy variety on display.
Attack types and skills
The core structure behind battling in Granblue Fantasy: Relink is of quick combo attacks and dodging, whilst each character in a player’s party sports their own unique special skills that define their combat styles. As you’d imagine, most of these skills are offensive in nature, with elemental magic amongst the most eye-catching. Of the wealth of gameplay videos shared on YouTube the most enticing is the ability to deliver an icy blast to opponents, freezing them in place leaving them exposed to more pummelling at the hands of your party. Not all skills are attack based though; no, as is traditional with RPGs there are manoeuvres that’ll support your party with buffs too.
Skybound Arts
Beyond individual skills, party members in Granblue Fantasy: Relink possess potent signature manoeuvres that can be unleashed in battle. These moves, dubbed Skybound Arts, comprise powerful attacks and special moves unique to each character that are executable via the rechargeable SBA Gauge. These attacks slowly recharge as the fight goes on and are amongst the most cinematic moments in the game, adding a nice layer of satisfaction to support the devastating damage. There’s an extra element at play too: execute perfect combos and Skybound Arts will temporarily level up, whilst the immediate moments after utilising a Skybound Arts attack renders opponents briefly unable to guard, exposing them to yet more damage via chain burst attacks.
Campaign
Granblue Fantasy: Relink of course features a lengthy campaign mode and this will be undertaken via single player only. There is a hub world that can be returned to at any time if players would like to undertake quests, with these quests being playable via teams of up to four.
Quests
Quest types include boss battles, time attacks, and survival mode and as aforementioned can be undertaken solo or in four player co-op with the promise of valuable loot the reward for taking down dangerous foes. In addition to these quests there are also Fate Episodes which will flesh out each party member’s back setting. Relink’s world Sky Realm is steeped in lore, with these quests aiming to expand on the landscape’s history. All in all, Cygames reckon there’s up to 100 hours of side content in Granblue Fantasy: Relink.
Boss battles
Amongst the flashiest encounters in the entire game, boss battles can be played solo, in four player co-op or with a squad of CPU allies. They represent the greatest opportunity to perform huge combos, deal significant damage, and score the best loot. A vast array of bosses feature too, ranging from dragons, goblins, and behemoths, with each boss equipped with their own unique combat style and attack patterns.
Co-op mode
As already mentioned, the game’s plethora of quests can be undertaken in squads of up to four. In fact, there are over 100 quests dotted throughout each of Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s towns, with XP and treasure the rewards for completing them. Playing with others isn’t just the most effective way to farm rewards; Granblue Fantasy: Relink appears designed with online co-op in mind. As an example, there’s a great range of communication tools such as stickers and emotes that can be shared amongst players competing together from anywhere in the world.
Stun Gauge
The stun gauge is a special mechanic that accumulates in enemies that are repeatedly being attacked. When the Stun Gauge has been filled enemies will become susceptible to special moves and party-based combos. To get the most out of Stun Gauge it appears the flow of battle will require players focus their efforts on one enemy at a time.
Party-based combat mechanics
In a move similar to the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Cygames are aiming for complete synergy between party members in Granblue Fantasy: Relink. For example, the aforementioned Stun Gauge leaves opponents exposed to Link Attacks, with these being party wide special moves that are executed by each member in tandem. Furthermore, reaping the benefits of Stun Gauge and Link Attacks requires parties to strategise effectively together, utilising each of their unique abilities to overcome the most challenging encounters.
Upgrade tree
Inside each character are unique upgrade trees with different skills, moving them beyond the more basic RPG method of levelling up by simply increasing base stats. As nodes are unlocked for each character, so too do they learn specific skills and special moves, with a huge variety of paths players can take to truly customise the build of their character.
Upgradeable weapons
Granblue Fantasy: Relink goes beyond progressing the attributes of each character via the game’s upgrade tree; characters can be further customised via upgradeable weapons and sigils. The specific path players can upgrade through unlocks specific weapons too, presenting an arsenal only they can equip.
Assist mode
Granblue Fantasy: Relink ships with an assist mode to provide accessibility to all levels of gamers, ensuring everyone who picks up the controller can get the most out of the game’s fast paced combat. The basic assist mode grants access to full combos via the press of a single button, plus assisted map navigation, with auto heal, auto dash, and auto guard also possible. Full assist goes one further and does away with button commands, instead performing attacks, dodges, and combos via thumb stick movement only. The entire single player campaign can be played with assist mode engaged.
Release date and platforms
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is set for global release on February 1st, 2024, with various physical and digital editions on offer for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. There is a free demo available for PlayStation right now.