Granblue Fantasy: Relink
WHERE TO PLAY
The endgame presents dynamic challenges, which will have you playing for hours. But uneven character leveling and a slight disruption in party dynamics emerge as drawbacks. Regardless, Granblue Fantasy: Relink features a captivating world and engaging progression loop that make it a journey worth undertaking.
From the first majestic ascent of the Grandcypher, as you carry your chosen main character and assume the captainship, whether it be with Gran or Djeeta, alongside a diverse group of allies, the promise ofGranblue Fantasy: Relink as an epic gaming experience became palpable. My anticipation for this title had been steadily building since its announcement in 2016, and the journey to its release was marked by unforeseen twists, turns, and the unsettling departure of PlatinumGames from the production helm.
As the airship gracefully cut through the clouds in the opening scene, my mind swirled with concerns about the game’s tumultuous development journey and the potential impact of PlatinumGames' absence on the final product. However, as the opening scenes unfolded, those worries dissipated like morning mist. What materialized before me was not merely a visually stunning game but a testament to the developers' resilience and the enduring strength of the JRPG genre. Despite the challenges faced along the way, Granblue Fantasy: Relink proudly stands as one of the finest action-JRPGs I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing in years. The initial fears of a lack of polish proved unfounded, giving way to a breathtaking adventure that not only met but exceeded my expectations.
Beginning In The Middle
Granblue Fantasy: Relink thrusts you into the midst of Gran’s (or Djeeta’s, if you chose her) ongoing adventures with their eclectic crew. The narrative unfurls with the crew having already braved adversity to rescue Lyria, the cherished heart of the story and the metaphorical princess in need of saving.
Set in the Sky Realm, a world adorned with floating islands in a vast blue expanse, you assume the role of the captain, leading a crew featuring characters such as the scrappy dragon Vyrn and the enigmatic Lyria. In total, Granblue Fantasy: Relink boasts 21 characters to play, each with unique abilities and skills. Notable crew members such as Io, Rackam, Rosetta, Eugen, and Katalina are readily available from the start, while others can be unlocked by obtaining special tickets through completing story or specific side quests. By the time I finished the main story, I had already unlocked about six extra crewmates.
The ultimate goal is to reach Estalucia, a mythical island beyond the skies' end. Within the Zegagrande Skydom, primal beasts guard islands, and whispers speak of a secretive organization known as the Church of Avia.
As the story finds its familiar JRPG footing, the crew becomes entangled in a larger predicament. Unraveling a web of intrigue that extends far beyond Zegagrande’s borders, the crew finds itself battling for the fate of the Sky Realm itself.
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The Fate Episodes, unlocked through both story and level progression, serve as windows into each character’s background. Initially, the exposition dumps had me skeptical, but to my surprise, they unfolded as beautifully crafted vignettes with poetic touches. Katalina’s episodes, in particular, stood out, providing an endearing exploration of her reflective soul. She’s introduced as a character who’s fallen from grace, and considered a traitor by the kingdom she once served. As she spoke, her voice shifted seamlessly from amusement to sadness, particularly when reflecting on her past. With initial crew members, including Katalina, Rackam, Io, Eugen, and Rosetta, the journey becomes not just about the world’s fate but the intricate tales woven within each crew member’s heart.
Progression Over Narrative
The game places a premium on progression and combat, inviting you to plunge into the field, confront adversaries head-on, and amass shiny treasures to fortify your party’s prowess.
Teamwork transforms into a dynamic symphony of destruction with party-based mechanics such as Link Attacks and Chain Bursts, adding a layer of strategic depth to the game. My journey unfolded as a thrilling exploration of each character’s unique strengths and playstyles. Swapping between warriors, I sought the perfect synergy within my team. Seigfried’s precise timing, requiring well-timed attacks for increased power, posed a challenging yet rewarding experience. On the flip side, Ferry’s elegant whip combos, executed by holding down the attack button, offered a contrasting yet equally satisfying approach to combat.
The essence of Granblue Fantasy: Relink lies in the relentless pursuit of character and combat progression.
Diving into combat was surprisingly accessible, even for someone not well-versed in action games. Taking control of Gran involved executing a few combos, mastering dodges, and strategically blocking attacks. While I opted for manual control, Relink extends its hand to gamers of all skill levels with Assist Mode, automatically handling some actions, or Full Assist Mode, handling all actions during battle. Although these modes are exclusive to easier difficulties, their inclusion offers a commendable nod to accessibility.
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The challenge proved to be an exhilarating test for my carefully selected party. I took command of Ferry, utilizing her whip-wielding DPS prowess to deliver a relentless onslaught of blows to the bosses, capitalizing on her critical-hit capabilities. Vane skillfully drew enemy attention, serving as the focal point for aggro. Gran played a crucial support role, offering regeneration, healing, and debuff removal. Io, acting as our long-range artillery, strategically avoided enemies to charge up her powerful fire, ice, and charged light spells, adding an extra layer of anticipation to our formidable strategy.
Round And Round The Game Loop Goes
Your adventure finds its rhythm once you reach the bustling hub of Falco. Here, among colorful streets, you’ll weave through the routine—selecting quests, uncovering treasures, and refining your arsenal for the challenges that await. Venturing beyond Falco reveals familiar JRPG landscapes, from icy tundras to fiery caverns, with occasional hidden paths leading to shiny rewards. However, if you’re aching for a vast world ripe for exploration, be cautioned: this game embraces a very mission-centric design, echoing the familiar beats of the Monster Hunter series formula.
As the credits rolled after about 25 hours of gameplay, it became evident that Granblue Fantasy: Relink was far from bidding adieu.
The essence of Granblue Fantasy: Relink lies in the relentless pursuit of character and combat progression. It beckons you into a cycle where each mission propels you into battle, necessitating a return to Falco for upgrades before embarking on the next challenge. While this may disappoint those yearning for expansive exploration, it caters to individuals captivated by a straightforward narrative intertwined with an irresistible game loop. The game gently guides you towards its endgame, where this pattern amplifies.
Embarking into multiplayer not only injected an exhilarating element into the game but also sparked anticipation. Contemplating how my friends and I would strategize and assemble our character teams for challenging endgame missions added a new layer of excitement. Beyond the story mode, I found myself investing time in developing characters, transitioning from Ferry, my story mode character, to Gran, who excels at providing essential support for our team’s needs. Synchronizing my characters with my friends' becomes a welcome challenge, especially as we delve deeper into the more demanding missions, determining each character’s role for optimal teamwork. .
When delving into the online lobby, you have the option to either create a lobby and invite others to join, allowing chosen characters to emote and strategize, or you’re able to create a solo lobby and use the matchmaking feature to join random players. However, it’s worth noting that the current matchmaking system only syncs levels and not character progress in manually formed parties. This became evident when my friend, who was at level 25, joined my lobby where I was at level 60, leading to my character overpowering the bosses in his game’s lobby. This limitation can be a bit irksome, disrupting the immersion as it necessitates waiting for my friend to progress further before tackling missions together in a more balanced manner. Hopefully, a future update will introduce the option for level synchronization, ensuring a more cohesive multiplayer experience.
An Uneven Grind
As the credits rolled after about 25 hours, it became evident that Granblue Fantasy: Relink was far from bidding adieu. While the main narrative reached its conclusion, the vast sky beckoned for exploration, presenting a compelling reason to continue the journey. However, the endgame landscape morphs into a battlefield where quests multiply, and bosses evolve into even more formidable adversaries. A strategic dance ensues, with moments of revisiting the drawing board to adapt to the challenges posed by devastating new AoEs.
During my post-credit odyssey, I wished for my characters' levels to be synchronized, allowing for a more seamless progression and maintaining a sense of balance. The uneven crew dynamics persist however, leaving sidelined members untouched and creating an awkward power imbalance.
Fate Episodes, which delve into individual character stories and development, are gated not only by story progression but also by character levels. As the game progresses, unlocking these episodes demands specific character levels, prompting me to reshuffle the party for optimal development. In the endgame, the challenge was to stick to a core group, as diverting attention to other crewmates risked disrupting the cohesive progression of the primary team. This was particularly noticeable in the later Fate Episodes, which required characters to reach levels of 60 or more to unlock their final segments.
Amidst the grind, the absence of a leveling system that harmonizes across all characters became apparent, limiting the seamless contribution of every member to the unfolding saga. I found myself yearning for a more balanced system that would encourage exploration of the entire cast. This concern lingers beyond the early stages, and I hope that a post-release update will address it, ensuring that the process of unlocking and developing each of the 21 characters remains consistently exciting throughout my gaming experience.
A Grand Adventure…Not For Everyone
My time with the PS5 version of Granblue Fantasy: Relink was exciting and it was obvious I had only scratched the surface after finsihing the story. The cel-shaded presentation is a visual feast, turning action-packed cutscenes into jaw-dropping spectacles. The game’s focus on gameplay progression and its engaging loop are enthralling , especially as you eagerly venture into the promised over 100 hours of post-game content. With upcoming DLC introducing new characters and a formidable end boss, the adventure aboard the Grandcypher seems far from over.
However, it’s crucial to note that Granblue Fantasy: Relink isn’t tailored for those seeking a story-heavy, exploration-centric JRPG. If, like me, you revel in the progression loop, this game is bound to captivate you. It’s evident that a considerable amount of love has been poured into its creation. As I await my next journey aboard the Grandcypher, the prospect of further adventures and challenges keeps the excitement alive.
