Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

There is a lot to love about Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising. From its excellent story mode, simple yet complex combat that's made accessible to every type of player. But what steels the show is the extremely fun Grand Brute mode. There is a lot to love about Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, and it's easily the sleeper-hit fighting game this year.

Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising fully realizes the potential that the vanilla game showed back in 2020. This is a feature rich and absolutely gorgeous 2D anime fighter with a deep roster of 28 fantastic characters, great netcode, and well implemented gameplay tweaks that reinvigorate the already exciting fighting system.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is an intoxicating blend of style, accessibility and fun. Even if you don’t know the franchise, you’ll love this incredible fighter.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is basically a "Super" Granblue Fantasy Versus. In other words, it is an updated package with all the characters so far, netcode via rollback and some new modes. If you liked the original, you'll enjoy this new game even more. Otherwise, as the foundation is still the same, your opinion is unlikely to change.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a small step forward from the original, but all those tiny tweaks make it feel that much better. Online matches feel seamless, the new and changed characters have a lot of variety, and the story is a fun if incomprehensible ride. However, it takes a bit too much of the first game out including offline unlockables or even getting kicked back to the main menu in single player if you lose your connection. Still, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses by a wide margin and is an absolute blast to play.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is presented as a triumphant rebirth for the series. From technical enhancements to the expansion of content and innovation in the online mode, Rising delivers a solid and compelling proposition for loyal fans and those looking to enter the Granblue Fantasy universe. Despite some potential challenges, this title demonstrates a continued commitment to the quality and evolution of the franchise.

An amazing fighting game for veterans and newcomers alike.

Versus Rising makes up for everything the previous game was lacking, making this a highly refined experience. It is great for beginners, and even better for those who want to perfect their play styles. This is one of the most balanced and best looking fighting games of the current generation.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising improves upon its predecessor by offering seamless online multiplayer, a diverse roster of fighters, and multiple game modes. It's accessible for newcomers yet satisfying for experienced players. While those who didn't enjoy the original game might be hesitant, the new enhancements could potentially win them over.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a gorgeous looking fighter with a simplistic approach to combat that welcomes players of all skill levels.

Arc System Works delivers a great update and expansion of the original Granblue Fantasy Versus, a fun and spectacular fighting game that is more complete than its predecessor, with more characters, modes, and features. It offers an accessible gameplay for newcomers and veterans alike, with a rollback netcode and a cross-play feature that enhance the online experience. However, the novelties are not drastic and it should have an option to upgrade from Granblue Fantasy Versus.

It's not the best fighting game of the year (there's too many great rivals), but it sure is a safe bet for those who want a great looking, accessible game.

GranBlue Fantasy Versus: Rising is an accessible and deep fighter. You can easily combine moves and unleash cinematic super moves which allows newcomers to pick up and play instantly. However, nuances permeate the combat which allows veterans of the genre to delve into the mechanics to hone their skills. While at a glance, the game looks similar to its predecessor, new combat and online options flesh out the game to make this a superior fighter.

While we’re sad to see RPG mode go, the fighting in this update-sequel is wonderfully easy to get to grips with and dripping with possibilities. [Issue#36, p.76]

Yes, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a good fighting game but its totes adorbs Grand Bruise Legends mode is what really won me over.

Whether viewed as a full-fledged sequel or enhanced re-release, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is an improvement over its predecessor in just about every way. The single player content is of decent quantity for a fighting game, but could easily be completed in a single weekend. Most of the longevity will come from the multiplayer components, whether it be fighting against other players online in traditional matches or getting into some of the more unexpected minigames in Grand Bruise Legends. The accessibility is one of the best features Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising in that it allows newcomers the ease to jump in and pull off impressive combos, yet the system is complex enough that it requires dedication to master. As it stands this is a great fighting game for players of all experience and skill levels.

This new game addresses the main issues from the original 2020 release and introduces a lot of additional content, such as new mechanics and characters. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is the definitive version. Although it might not be a must-buy for players who played the previous title, it's an accessible and deep fighting game that will appeal to both newcomers and experts.

Granblue Fantasy Versus : Rising is a expertly crafted cocktail of accessibility and depth which will no doubt cater to both long time Granblue Fans and fighting game enthusiasts alike thanks to a wide variety of game modes and a much more enjoyable online experience.

GranBlue Fantasy Versus Rising is a major expansion that significantly changes the gameplay. The new mechanics open up longer combos and more active defense options while making simplified inputs the standard. The story mode is engaging but short; offline-loving players may find it lacking. However, the new characters are well-designed and fun to play, and the improved netcode is a welcome addition for online players.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is undoubtedly the best way to play Arc System Works’ Granblue fighter – the original can be uninstalled now – but if you fell off the original game, this probably won’t bring you back. However if all you wanted was some netcode improvements to keep you in the game, then Rising is essential. As long as you don’t buy it for Grand Bruise Legends, you’ll adore Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising improves on the original in almost every way, and while not quite at the level of the very best in the genre, it still offers enjoyable fighting experience.

Rising is the game that the original Granblue Fantasy Versus should have been, and while it's a bit cheeky that players are being asked to pay for it all over again — with yet more DLC characters incoming — it's hard to argue with the overall package. This is a gorgeous fighter that feels great to play.

Arc System Works aren’t exactly pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, but this is another polished and highly enjoyable 2D fighter that is not nearly as insular as you’d think.

Whether you should pick up Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising ultimately depends on how you plan to play it. While there is enough content and modes here to keep single-player focused gamers entertained for a good number of hours, it’s those who are unafraid to go up against others online that will no doubt get the most out of it. From its rollback netcode to its new lobby system and Grand Bruise mode, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising’s online offerings are comprehensive, making this an attractive package for those with a competitive streak.

Taking into account the long tail of support for the original, the promise of more characters, and the surfeit of extra modes, this is almost a definite buy for fighting game fans, especially if you are a longtime fan of the original game. But it’s also a good buy if you’ve always loved fighting games but dislike threadbare stories or struggle with the controls. And with the sheer breadth of extra modes available, odds are good you’ll find stuff to love in here.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a fantastic 2.5D fighting game that, despite some of its flaws, provides players an almost perfect and complete package that most Granblue fans will likely be proud of.

Whilst feeling more like an upgrade than a true sequel, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is nonetheless a deep, engaging fighter that is widely accessible for all skill levels.

With its gorgeous anime aesthetics, stylish characters and easy-to-pick-up/hard-to-master fighting mechanics, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising provides an exciting, challenging alternative to the bigger, more established fighting games that have populated the year. If you’re looking for more of that Arc System Works magic, this one’s a no-brainer.

With great netcode, a large roster, beautiful graphics, and beginner-friendly footsie-based gameplay, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising might be what resurrects this fighting game franchise and makes it stick around this time.

Even in such a crowded space, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a quality fighting game and comes in a generous package with no shortage of single-player and multiplayer content. It looks the part and performs remarkably well where it matters most. Whether it carves out a consistent online community remains to be seen, but even on its own, this is the next best thing to a new BlazBlue release.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising does what any good sequel should do, and that's take what works in the first game and amplifies its strengths while also fixing some of its shortcomings. The addition of new moves involving a special meter deepen the overall fighting mechanics, but it still retains the simpler control scheme for newcomers and as a comprehensive training system to help genre rookies get acclimated to the overall Arc System way of fighting. The character roster feels much more substantial and in line with what's expected from a modern-day fighting game, while the rollback netcode gives people more confidence in entering online bouts without fear of most network conditions creating an unplayable experience. If you can shake off the fact that a good chunk of the game is directly lifted from the first title, you'll greatly enjoy Rising.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is another great fighting game from Arc System Works with particular emphasis on welcoming new players to this infamously challenging genre. The presentation of the game, alongside how accessible it is to just pick up and play, will remain the game's biggest strength.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a fun and fluid fighting game, but can be generic in a lot of areas. The gameplay is definitely solid, but the story leaves to be desired and the game doesn't do a good job of introducing you to its characters.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a decent anime fighter and a clear step up from its predecessor, but it isn’t without its problems, some of which persist from the last game. I’m also not entirely sure of the longevity of the game, especially with how extortionate the Season 1 Pass is and the low install base this soon after launch, but fans of anime fighting games and the Granblue universe should be pleased with the overall package here.

I will admit Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is not for everyone. It isn’t for me, as the sometimes filler-like content bloats the experience but, ultimately, feels bland. But the positive is some fighting game fans or existing Granblue Fantasy fans may enjoy this title. It has some solid accessible features. But, unless you played the first game, you should probably check out the free version and see if it is up your alley first.

While I find it hard to recommend Rising to most people at full price, I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone even vaguely interested check out the free version. There is a lot to love about Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and without risk of buyers remorse, players should jump into the free version to see if they are a good fit for Gran’s merry band of adventurers.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising ends up feeling a bit more like a large update than a true sequel, despite what some of those involved in its development would insist, but at the end of the day, I’m not sure I care. At its core, this is still a fantastic fighting game filled with content. Some of that content may not exactly be new, but when almost everyone missed it the first time around, I’m glad that it will get another chance to build a community. Outside of the strange changes to the story mode, this is a better game than the original in every way and well worth the time of fighting game fans.