General Information
Granblue Fantasy: Relink, the highly anticipated RPG from Cygames, has finally made its debut on PC and PlayStation. As a fan of the Granblue Fantasy series, I was excited to see how the game would transition from its mobile roots to a more immersive gaming experience. In this article, we will explore the captivating world of Granblue Fantasy: Relink, delving into its engaging storytelling, dynamic combat system, and stunning visuals.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink takes players on a skyfaring adventure as they join a crew in search of the mysterious island of Estalucia, rumored to grant wishes. Playing as either Gran or Djeeta, the silent protagonist, you embark on a journey with the young and powerful summoner, Lyria. The game's central cast is a delightful mix of personalities, each bringing their own unique traits to the table. From the anxious Io to the confident Rackam, the interactions between the characters are both interesting and enjoyable.
Unlike other RPGs with lengthy narratives, Granblue Fantasy: Relink presents its story in a concise and fast-paced manner. Divided into 10 chapters, each chapter focuses on a specific objective that propels the story forward. This structure eliminates unnecessary dialogue and ensures that players are always making meaningful progress. The main campaign can be completed in a satisfying 15-20 hours, providing a refreshing change of pace for those seeking an RPG that respects their time.
Relink's gameplay is not only engaging but also visually stunning. The game boasts cinematic moments that rival even the grandest confrontations in Final Fantasy XVI. From controlling Bahamut in thrilling battles to climbing colossal stone giants, the game delivers breathtaking set pieces that keep players on the edge of their seats. The character designs, both in and out of combat, are beautifully rendered, with eye-catching art styles that capture the essence of the Granblue Fantasy series.
While the game features numerous characters from the Granblue Fantasy series, only a select few are directly involved in the story. However, this does not diminish the charm of the game's cast, as additional characters can be summoned using earned tickets. Each character possesses a unique playstyle and special skills, allowing players to experiment and find their favorites. Fate Episodes, special scenes that provide lore and background on the characters, further enhance their depth and make them more endearing.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink's combat system is both dynamic and rewarding. Each character has an Arts Level, which affects the effectiveness of their special skills. The more normal attacks a character performs before unleashing a skill, the more powerful it becomes. This risk and reward dynamic adds depth to the combat and requires players to make strategic decisions. Skybound Arts, powerful ultimate attacks unique to each character, further amplify the excitement. Timing the use of these abilities can lead to devastating group attacks, known as Full Burst, that deal massive damage to opponents.
While Cygames collaborated with PlatinumGames during the initial development of Relink, the game still maintains the studio's signature touch. The controls are smooth and responsive, reminiscent of games like Nier: Automata. Relink also incorporates exciting gameplay moments that diversify the real-time action. From using ship guns to engage enemies in first-person shooter-like encounters to piloting mechs in intense robot battles, the game offers thrilling gameplay variety that keeps players engaged.
Beyond the main story, players can undertake various quests that provide additional challenges and rewards. Similar to missions in Monster Hunter, these quests require players to complete objectives such as defeating bosses and protecting objects. While NPCs can accompany players in single-player mode, multiplayer offers a more enhanced experience. The game provides numerous matchmaking options, allowing players to team up with strangers or specific individuals. Unfortunately, crossplay between PlayStation and PC is not available, limiting the matchmaking potential.
Completing quests rewards players with materials needed for crafting and upgrading weapons. Additionally, players can improve Sigils, equippable orbs that add various effects to weapons. These effects range from decreasing skill cooldowns to increasing base attack stats. Proper Sigil planning is crucial, especially when facing challenging post-game bosses. While the game incorporates gacha mechanics for obtaining new Sigils, there are no microtransactions involved. This ensures a level playing field for all players and encourages a focus on gameplay rather than spending.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink successfully brings the beloved mobile RPG series to a larger gaming platform, providing an exhilarating adventure filled with captivating storytelling, dynamic combat, and stunning visuals. While the game's mobile roots are evident in certain aspects, such as limited playable Fate Episodes, its charming characters and diverse gameplay mechanics make up for it. Whether you're a fan of the Granblue Fantasy series or a newcomer to the franchise, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a must-play for anyone seeking an immersive and enjoyable RPG experience.
A Skyfaring Adventure
Granblue Fantasy: Relink takes players on a skyfaring adventure as they join a crew in search of the mysterious island of Estalucia, rumored to grant wishes. Playing as either Gran or Djeeta, the silent protagonist, you embark on a journey with the young and powerful summoner, Lyria. The game's central cast is a delightful mix of personalities, each bringing their own unique traits to the table. From the anxious Io to the confident Rackam, the interactions between the characters are both interesting and enjoyable.
A Concise and Action-Packed Story
Unlike other RPGs with lengthy narratives, Granblue Fantasy: Relink presents its story in a concise and fast-paced manner. Divided into 10 chapters, each chapter focuses on a specific objective that propels the story forward. This structure eliminates unnecessary dialogue and ensures that players are always making meaningful progress. The main campaign can be completed in a satisfying 15-20 hours, providing a refreshing change of pace for those seeking an RPG that respects their time.
Cinematic Moments and Stunning Visuals
Relink's gameplay is not only engaging but also visually stunning. The game boasts cinematic moments that rival even the grandest confrontations in Final Fantasy XVI. From controlling Bahamut in thrilling battles to climbing colossal stone giants, the game delivers breathtaking set pieces that keep players on the edge of their seats. The character designs, both in and out of combat, are beautifully rendered, with eye-catching art styles that capture the essence of the Granblue Fantasy series.
A Diverse and Charming Cast
While the game features numerous characters from the Granblue Fantasy series, only a select few are directly involved in the story. However, this does not diminish the charm of the game's cast, as additional characters can be summoned using earned tickets. Each character possesses a unique playstyle and special skills, allowing players to experiment and find their favorites. Fate Episodes, special scenes that provide lore and background on the characters, further enhance their depth and make them more endearing.
Dynamic and Rewarding Combat
Granblue Fantasy: Relink's combat system is both dynamic and rewarding. Each character has an Arts Level, which affects the effectiveness of their special skills. The more normal attacks a character performs before unleashing a skill, the more powerful it becomes. This risk and reward dynamic adds depth to the combat and requires players to make strategic decisions. Skybound Arts, powerful ultimate attacks unique to each character, further amplify the excitement. Timing the use of these abilities can lead to devastating group attacks, known as Full Burst, that deal massive damage to opponents.
PlatinumGames' Influence and Exciting Gameplay Moments
While Cygames collaborated with PlatinumGames during the initial development of Relink, the game still maintains the studio's signature touch. The controls are smooth and responsive, reminiscent of games like Nier: Automata. Relink also incorporates exciting gameplay moments that diversify the real-time action. From using ship guns to engage enemies in first-person shooter-like encounters to piloting mechs in intense robot battles, the game offers thrilling gameplay variety that keeps players engaged.
Quests and Multiplayer
Beyond the main story, players can undertake various quests that provide additional challenges and rewards. Similar to missions in Monster Hunter, these quests require players to complete objectives such as defeating bosses and protecting objects. While NPCs can accompany players in single-player mode, multiplayer offers a more enhanced experience. The game provides numerous matchmaking options, allowing players to team up with strangers or specific individuals. Unfortunately, crossplay between PlayStation and PC is not available, limiting the matchmaking potential.
Crafting, Upgrading, and Sigils
Completing quests rewards players with materials needed for crafting and upgrading weapons. Additionally, players can improve Sigils, equippable orbs that add various effects to weapons. These effects range from decreasing skill cooldowns to increasing base attack stats. Proper Sigil planning is crucial, especially when facing challenging post-game bosses. While the game incorporates gacha mechanics for obtaining new Sigils, there are no microtransactions involved. This ensures a level playing field for all players and encourages a focus on gameplay rather than spending.
Verdict
Granblue Fantasy: Relink successfully brings the beloved mobile RPG series to a larger gaming platform, providing an exhilarating adventure filled with captivating storytelling, dynamic combat, and stunning visuals. While the game's mobile roots are evident in certain aspects, such as limited playable Fate Episodes, its charming characters and diverse gameplay mechanics make up for it. Whether you're a fan of the Granblue Fantasy series or a newcomer to the franchise, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a must-play for anyone seeking an immersive and enjoyable RPG experience.
