Granblue Fantasy: Relink

At a certain point, it becomes challenging to find the ideal words to describe Granblue Fantasy: Relink because I feel that none are sufficient. Rare are the games that leave me feeling this way. Those games that, no matter how hard I try to find a negative aspect, I cannot. Those games that I want to keep playing for hours on end without a break, like when I was a carefree child. Those games that remind me why I love video games. And Granblue Fantasy: Relink is one of those games.

Granblue Fantasy Relink is an exceptional action-RPG with a strong license that can flourish in many genres. With excellent combat and cinematography, Granblue Fantasy Relink provides strong character development and epic encounters throughout its 20-hour campaign and many more hours after that.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink makes small mistakes, but it is practically a perfect game within its proposal. It's a clear example of how mobile franchises, with sufficiently engaging worlds, can be successful in genres that are more appealing to a wide audience.

In the first 20 hours, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an Action RPG with exciting combat, lots of characters, and a straight to the point story. After 20 hours, it turns into an anime co-op game with MMORPG-like combat, unlike Monster Hunter. It has deep character growth and tough dungeons that take time to master, offering lots of fun.

As a game that has been in development for well over seven years, my expectations for Granblue Fantasy: Relink have been sky-high. With only a handful of very minor flaws, the game has dramatically proven itself worth the wait. While combat, setpieces, and character customization triumph, the game also has incredibly tight pacing. While Final Fantasy XVI put five or so hours of side questing and downtime between pivotal moments and spectacular boss fights, Granblue Fantasy: Relink cuts all the fat and focuses on delivering a fast, dramatic, and exciting experience. With myriad mechanics, setpieces, character variety, and fantastic combat, the game is the perfect blend of modern action RPGs while avoiding the formula. Granblue Fantasy: Relink has, without a doubt, surpassed my lofty expectations and set a new bar for character action RPGs. I cannot wait to lose a couple hundred hours of my life to the post-game scenario with friends.

The story is ordinary and acceptable and strong in some final parts. The gameplay is extremely smooth, varied and fun, the camera movement is a bit difficult and the loadings are annoying. Great level design makes the game never repetitive. The visuals are beautiful and the art is charming, but it doesn’t run at 4k60fps. The soundtracks are very catchy.

It's a charming, engaging and memorable game that doesn't outstay its welcome. In fact, it's one of the few games that could have lasted longer, and that’s rare.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers an extremely polished experience featuring beautiful visuals, an exhilarating combat system, an intricate character progression system, a solid single-player campaign, an inviting multiplayer, and a wide array of both quests and different playable characters sure to keep you around even after completing its storyline.

So at the end of the day, despite everything that made this look like it was going to be a disaster, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is not just an alright game. It’s a really good game, a delight in terms of action RPG gameplay, and easily a title that you can start sinking a huge amount of time into whether you know this crew or not. I’m excited for the prospect of more, from more characters to more stories. And if you’re looking for a new RPG to sink your teeth to at the start of the year, you already have a strong example.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink doesn’t offer anything complex, the storytelling is simplistic and combat doesn’t have a ton of depth, but it delivers it all excellently. The presentation is high quality with gorgeous cutscenes, epic battles, easy to pick up combat, and vivid storytelling. There’s nothing that ever knocks the wind out of its sails and always looks ahead to the vast blue skies, wondering what other stories there are to find.

Excellent on a technical level, courageous in its approach and exemplary in terms of gameplay, Granblue Fantasy: Relink becomes a fantastic benchmark of the genre on its own merits.

I refuse to play mobile gatcha games (in part because I know that I’m the kind of personality that would get too hooked on a favourite one if I found one). However, I have always found Granblue Fantasy’s vision and promise particularly intriguing. The fighting game whet my appetite, but Granblue Fantasy Relink has been my first real exposure to the property. Not only are the characters, setting, lore and world building every bit as enjoyable as I hoped from all the promo material I’ve seen over the years, but for a “spin-off” this is a much better action RPG than I was anticipating. While eight years is no doubt longer than Cygames hoped to spend developing Granblue Fantasy Relink, the wait has been worth it and this is, potentially, the start of a very big new property that will rival the best that Bandai Namco, SEGA and Square Enix produce.

The main story quest is appetizing and gives way to a robust, whimsical, and flashy multiplayer component that can entertain for hours. After a delayed development, Granblue Fantasy: Relink finally arrives, and it simply sings.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is not only a gorgeous game, the combat is satisfying with plenty of experimentation when it comes to your party.

The story of Granblue Fantasy: Relink certainly doesn’t rank among the RPG greats, but its combat is so phenomenal that I can’t stop playing it anyway.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is excellent in everything it proposes and certainly has the best ingredients to please different audiences, including the most skeptical ones. Beautiful, objective and exciting in the right way, the game is a sure presence on my list of favorites of the genre.

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.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink captivates you with its stunning game world and takes you on a great adventure high up in the clouds. With its likeable characters, its gripping presentation and its thrilling combat system, you too should join the crew, despite one or two weaknesses.

Fans of Monster Hunter can expect entertaining boss fights in a chic anime style, but the story is weak.

Cygames did a great job of turning a gacha game into an epic adventure full of action and magic. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Relink capitalizes on the charisma of its characters and their abilities. The best part is that we can unlock them without paying and harness their power in awesome boss battles. Although it is an action RPG, it takes advantage of other elements to make things more interesting. If it were more extensive, had a more solid multiplayer system and more exploration elements, it would be perfect.

A great cast of characters let down by a fairly unengaging narrative, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is still a superb RPG packed with content. Grab your friends, it’s time to go adventuring in the skies.

A well-made title in the IP that offers interconnected gameplay that feels like playing a party even solo, various characters armed with unique moves. While the monotonous multiplayer can be a drawback, the synergy of fast action and intense JRPG storytelling is for both those familiar and unfamiliar with the franchise.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is the A-JRPG that many gamers have been waiting for, and which will delight fans of Monster Hunter, Tales of, Kingdom Hearts or Genshin Impact with its depth of content that can keep you playing for hundreds of hours if need be. With addictive gameplay, an interesting cast of characters, a satisfying story mode and an endgame that holds you hostage for long hours, alone or with others, Cygames' game is one of the pleasant surprises of the new year. Despite its frustrating shortcomings, which we hope will soon be rectified.

After quite the long journey, I can firmly say that Granblue Fantasy: Relink is one of the highlights of January 2024, especially for those who love a good RPG. If you are looking for some absorbing stortytelling, sick fights and amazing gameplay, then Granblue Fantasy: Relink is essentially tailor-made for you.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an enjoyable action-RPG, even when divorced from its gatcha origins. It doesn't break any molds and tends to feel more like an MMO than Monster Hunter, but almost every part of it is well executed and enjoyable. If you've been curious about the franchise and want a more friendly way to explore it than gatcha and fighting games, Relink gives you everything you need. If you're looking for a chill multiplayer RPG to play with friends, Relink absolutely nails the experience.

Granblue Fantasy Relink is a more than remarkable action JRPG that makes clear the potential of this franchise in the world of video games. A very addictive gameplay, a deep progression system and a spectacular artistic design are its best assets. Only an excessive repetition in the missions can detract from the experience.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is able to impress as a typical JRPG with gripping boss fights, tight controls and an exciting story. Varied environments and opponents increase the fun factor of the game. The sound design, on the other hand, can be annoying at times.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fantastic action JRPG that goes directly into the action without wasting any time. Its amazing graphics and fun combat system, are some reasons to give it a try.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a game-as-a-service, featuring a brief campaign with a few epic moments and an assortment of distinct and enjoyable characters to play. It's an action and adventure game that allows for spending several hours alone or with friends, especially in the post-game content.

The result of a troubled development dotted with "accidents along the way", even important ones, such as the change of engine and developer, Granblue Fantasy: Relink may not be the masterpiece that eight years ago it promised to become, but overall it remains an action Adrenaline-filled and addictive RPG like few others. At times chaotic, its frenetic combat system - which at regular intervals offers clashes with titanic beasts which at least in terms of epic nature have nothing to envy of the battles of the PlatinumGames games - proved to be much deeper and more multifaceted than expected, guaranteeing many different approaches to the fight that we are convinced will satisfy any palate. Some of Cygames' choices are not fully convincing, however the product remains an essential purchase for anyone who professes to be a true JRPG enthusiast.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a lot of character and is a great contribution to action RPGs. Genre fans looking for something new will enjoy this tale, especially its epic boss fights and interactive landscapes to explore; well, if you can get over the initial hurdles, of course.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink does a great job of incorporating elements from the original game at a high standard of quality. The story could have been introduced better, unlockable characters would have benefited from a bit more care and the lack of a map or mini-map is baffling. That being said, Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s exhilarating action and gorgeous visuals more than make up for its shortcomings.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an action RPG with a beautifully designed, dynamic combat, set in a world full of flying islands and zeppelins. Its story might not be stellar, but brilliant boss battles and interesting level design completely make up for it.

A beautifully designed, accessible RPG with a postgame more appealing than most. A great example of developers handing you just the right amount of control. [Issue#38, p.90]

It took far too long for this game to come out, and after a very long development, games often disappoint. Not this one, as the game is full of good elements and has a fine gameplay loop. The side quests may be a bit boring and it is also not the most in-depth game. Yet that is not a big problem, as the overall gameplay experience is very enjoyable, thanks in part to the excellent soundtrack. Fan of the franchise? A must have!

Relink presents an exciting world and well-developed characters and will send you into ecstasy with its fluid combat system. Unfortunately, the fantasy story lacks depth and originality to be completely convincing. The lack of cross-play is also annoying.

For a first of its kind, Granblue Fantasy Relink is a success. It throws itself wholeheartedly into the grand spectacle of pure action, showing extreme generosity. With a roster of some twenty unique characters, for as many different gameplays, Relink can boast of breaking the routine, or almost. Inherited from Gacha, it uses a progression system for its heroes that could put some people off. But it's also this recipe that makes the endgame, based on a system of quests to be completed alone or in cooperation, so addictive. If you're a customer, over a hundred hours of gameplay await you; if not, you'll have to make do with the main story, punctuated by memorable sequences and battles. The story, however, is hardly surprising, with dispensable side quests. Granblue Fantasy Relink has a bit of an "ass between two chairs", since it certainly won't appeal to everyone, but it's nonetheless a good action-RPG that tries to blend its heritage with a slightly more modern and current recipe. It paves the way for a franchise that could well surprise us even more in a few years' time.

In my opinion, the gameplay makes up for the shortcomings of the campaign. And even though the mission-based system feels grindy by design, it’s a fun grind, and one I look forward to continuing. In a year full of RPG releases, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a solid early entry into the genre, and has earned its spot as one of the good ones.

There are many times that it is fun to just stop and look around, and the story and characters are a fairly tight package, which is appreciated. Battles are fast, if a bit consistent of spongy enemies. Its mobile roots are obvious, in relation to how equipment, upgrades and other characters work. Overall, there is not a huge sweeping story that will stay with you, but it's a coherent, high quality RPG that is solid across the board.

A fun action RPG that will appeal to fans of hack’n slash games with a PlatinumGames flavor, that convinces with its multiplayer and variety of characters, but falls short in the ambition of its main story.

Thanks to the depth of its battle system (the boss fights are pretty spectacular!) and you can build your characters, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a pleasant surprise for action RPG lovers.

It does fall into some of the series’ most known problems – namely grind – but it never feels like it outstays its welcome.

On the one hand, it is a classic and effective solo adventure but not without its flaws (like the very behind-the-scenes side of exploration), and, on the other, an experience in multiplayer mode which brings together a bit of the best of worlds of JRPG, at the crossroads of a Tales of and a Monster Hunter, and offers a crazy diversity of approaches thanks to the unique gameplay of its heroes.

A proper, meaty JRPG from a newly ambitious developer, whose top notch combat and art design is let down only by insipid storytelling and voice-acting.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink doesn’t have a particularly engrossing storyline, nor does it rewrite the book when it comes to anime-styled character-action games. But it doesn’t want, or even need, to do either. It doesn't even seem to care much if you don't know what Granblue is in the first place. What Cygames brings to the table is polish and energy; there’s a liveliness to this game that makes every minute you spend with it a joy. Rock-solid performance (on PS5/performance mode), unique character mechanics, a massive soundtrack, and even a great dub (Ferry baby-talking her poltergeist pooches sends me) are all a part of that feeling. If you've missed out on Granblue Fantasy so far because of regional barriers or not being into fighting games, here’s your chance to see what it’s all about in a way that couldn’t be friendlier.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fantastic anime adventure, and one that will delight fans of the series.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a short and sweet story campaign with the potential for endless grinding after the main credits roll. The story is an enjoyable ride from start to finish that blends a captivating story filled with interesting crew members and exhilarating action-packed gameplay. Most of the characters' backstories are revealed through Fate Episodes in town and watching these stories adds a great deal to how invested the player can get in their individual stories. The content after the main story promises countless hours of completing increasingly more difficult missions to extend the life of the game. These missions after the main campaign deliver story content at a much slower pace, however, and after a certain point these activities amount to little more than grinding for better resources. Multiplayer helps with these missions, but most players will likely move on before completing all the content the post game has to offer. But up until that point, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an incredibly fun adventure.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a superb action RPG that packs an excellent story, plenty of characters, and an incredibly moreish endgame for a substantial amount of content at launch.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a dynamic game that provides novelty with every chapter. The combat is packed with robust and interesting mechanics, and it is easy on the eyes. While there are a number of niggling issues, it manages to capture some of that old-school magic from an era of games that weren't afraid to go off the rails. Relink doesn’t nail everything it does, but it does quite a lot successfully. I expect that it will find an adoring audience, and surely the co-op aspect will give it an extended life among its audience. Just don’t come for the story.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink bucks the RPG genre’s usual trend of long and slow-paced stories, but the relative brevity of its campaign doesn’t compromise on the quality of its storytelling. Its mobile game origins don’t always translate over well, feeling a little thin in some aspects, but questing with friends in multiplayer is very exciting – even if the lack of crossplay is disappointing. However, Relink’s fun action combat and interesting cast of characters has kept me happily playing long after I beat the final boss.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is one of the PS5's best action RPGs — but you need to know what you're getting into. The story campaign is excellent, but its relatively short length means that most of your time will be spent with the game's optional quests, which rarely reach the same heights. Still, whether you're playing alone or in co-op, there's a real thrill to Relink's combat system, which combines precise hacking and slashing with underlying RPG stats and mechanics. If you can embrace the grind, a fantastic character roster and some amazing boss battles await.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to storytelling in a JRPG, but as far as fun multiplayer experiences go, Relink soars to new horizons.

While it takes a while to get going, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is well worth the wait. Fans of quick-paced co-op action RPGs shouldn't hesitate to check it out.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink aims at the action RPG genre with a fresh and fun proposal. The battle system is differentiated by the number of playable characters that are very different from each other, with their own mechanics. Of course, some mechanics have been simplified and others developed that role-playing games usually have but that, in general terms, lovers of this style of game will love.

Those expecting a traditional RPG experience from Granblue Fantasy: Relink might be left disappointed, with developer Cygames instead opting to offer something a little more succinct. It's hard to not get drawn in by the game's story, though, especially when it's backed up by such engaging action, which stands head and shoulders above most in the genre. So, whether you're an existing fan of Granblue Fantasy or not, if you like the idea of playing through the best bits of an epic RPG campaign and then absorbing yourself in hours of additional quests alone or with others, you'd be wise to give this a look.

Granblue Fantasy Relink consists mainly of battles and offers absolute sensory overload. Behind the crazy storm of effects, however, there is a sophisticated combat system that is a lot of fun alone or in online co-op. Despite the very likeable characters, the plot remains rather thin and I would have liked more interesting levels to explore. Nevertheless, I can say that Granblue Fantasy Relink is already one of the best action JRPGs of the year.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink showcases CyGames at their best. They don't attempt to reinvent the action JRPG genre; instead, they focus on putting their unique twist on the formula. The result is a responsive and addictive experience for solo and online play. For those wanting the most, the online quests offer an almost endless supply of action. At the same time, the story campaign serves as a general introduction to the mechanics but remains equally epic. There's room for improvement, though, and post-launch support will determine the lasting appeal of this experience, but for what it's worth, the wait was worth it, and I'm excited for future growth in this series.

Even this early into the year, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is set up to be one of the best RPGs of 2024.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a must have for fans of the franchise who really desire to upgrade their favorite characters after clearing a short but fun campaign.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a much less ambitious game than it seems, but its simplicity shouldn't necessarily be considered as a flaw. Cygames' latest work is fun and well polished, and it has an exciting combat system, great art and music. Unfortunately, the story falls short, and after reaching the endgame it devolves in a repetitive cycle of 80 or so hours of mindless fighting, without any real challenge or new ideas to keep things fresh.

After eight years in development - initially under PlatinumGames - this long journey has had a happy ending. [Issue#395, p.118]

Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers a very polished experience with a main story that packs plenty of momentum. Combat is very kinetic but simple to handle. Perhaps that's detrimental when boss fights stretch into long encounters but the chaotic spectacle is thankfully easy to read. It's a shame the side content retreads old haunts and the post-game becomes a repetitive grind. What's here is a decent package but I wish the combat had a few more options to explore.

An Action J-RPG on PlayStation and PC with the look and feel of a premium mobile game that will convince those willing to give it their time.

An intense and fun experience, Granblue Fantasy Relink sits at the short but spectacular end of the JRPG spectrum. Running to some 20 hours all told, and maybe retaining a few too many of its mobile influences, you’ll wonder why it took seven years to release. But hey, with the wind in your hair, the ride is still a sweet one.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fine action-RPG and one that takes full advantage of new-gen hardware. While it treads a path we’ve all been down before, the way it sets itself apart is through its world building, characters, a great blend of action and strategy gameplay, and some gorgeous visual detail.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is brilliant, while it lasts. Part of me appreciates a shorter JRPG story instead of a 60-hour marathon, but there’s just not enough build and intrigue to make me care, and if you aren’t familiar with the cast ahead of time, you won’t be made to care about any of them either. It was fun while it lasted, but I’m both glad it’s done and sad it’s over. At least those cities look really nice.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink's plot falters in several ways despite some impressive combat, bosses and gorgeous visuals. Nevertheless, it's a solid holdover for action RPG fans who don't mind grinding.

The saving grace of these extended gameplay encounters is that the combat is reasonably engaging, and interactions between characters will likely delight existing Granblue Fantasy fans. Relink is unlikely to be any newcomer’s favorite game. Still, the basic gameplay is fun and keeps you moving along the treadmill, especially if you have a gathering of like-minded source material fans to help you slay its biggest figurative and literal dragons.

Despite the myriad troubles, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has turned out to be rather excellent. But with several lacklustre aspects, there is a real sense of disappointment that Relink could have been so much better.

A truly excellent combat system and neat character-centric episodes complement a compelling tale, but weak side activities and some turgid grinding hold it back.

The problem is that, as many of us know, gacha games are inherently exploitative, and even though I'm confident in resisting spending any money on them, I still feel a bit strange about the pull I'm experiencing towards such a game thanks to a seperate, supposedly stand-alone RPG. Should you play Relink for a taste of Granblue Fantasy's world? I think so! But go in knowing that it won't give you everything you might want, and take it as it is.