PREVIEW Granblue Fantasy: Relink

GameCritics was recently invited to a preview event in LA to sit down with both the singleplayer and multiplayer content of Granblue Fantasy: Relink (GBF:R). I was not disappointed.

Disclosure: Accommodations for the trip were paid for by Granblue PR.

A new action-RPG from Cygames, GBF:R feels like a mix between a story-rich JRPG and Platinum action
titles — which isn’t surprising since the director, Tetsuya Fukuhara, has worked on
several other Platinum games. The fast-paced (yet tactical) combat kept me on the edge of my seat and was perfectly intermixed with a story that I was sad to put down when we ran out of the time allotted for singleplayer story content.

GBF:R is divided into two parts.

The first is the singleplayer story content. The demo slice picked up in the middle of what felt like a new adventure with the main character and their airship crew. I was happy that I could choose between a male and female protagonist who I was able to rename.

Incidentally, these choices are from the original mobile game Granblue Fantasy — GBF:R is a continuation of its story. While the mobile game isn’t available in the US, there is an anime adaptation. Those looking to jump in may want to track it down to become familiar with the characters and their motivations.

Things picked up quickly, and I was able to get a grasp of what was going on without too much effort, thanks in part due to the handy glossary that was available with a button press. After a short tutorial in the form of a monster attack on the airship, GBF:R pivoted into a grand summoning of Bahamut, which then went awry and damaged our airship.

After this prologue I was introduced to new characters, a primary town, and what seems to be the initial plot of the game, as “Primals” (creatures of power similar to the summons in Final Fantasy) are going berserk. Before the preview was over, I was able to defeat one of these in a boss battle which left
me wishing I could see what happened next.

Gameplay itself consisted of linear stages, like many RPGs and action games. That doesn’t
mean the game itself is linear, however. Just in the first town alone, there were a good deal of
side missions and quests which were reminiscent of multiplayer content like online hunts in Capcom’s Monster Hunter, or raids in Final Fantasy XIV. Up to four players can engage in a boss
fight taking place in an arena-like area that seemed to be a location taken from the singleplayer campaign. The game’s AI can take control of up to three supporting characters to help keep
them balanced, though for an extra challenge it is possible to play with less than four. (The devs said there are no bonus rewards for doing so, however.)

Combat in both the main story and multiplayer is real-time, with a focus on dodging, combos, and high mobility. As characters level up, they gain additional skills, up to four equipped at a time, and each are on
cooldowns. Party members also have a kind of ultimate ability that builds as they attack and is the unleashed to deal even more damage via exciting and flashy animations.

In addition to the player’s character, at least 20 recruitable characters have been announced so far, with more on the way, each with their own style and flavor.

Finally, I have to respect to the visual style in Granblue Fantasy: Relink. A beautiful feast for the eyes, the
game uses a cell-shaded, watercolor-esque palette that stands out for the franchise in both character and world design terms — from the kinetic combat animation to the gorgeous clouds and islands in the sky, every frame was interesting and engaging.

While every moment I spent with GBF:R had me wanting more, I did create a short mental wishlist before my time with it was up — things like the ability to play in split-screen co-op, and possibly a full recap of the story for those of us who haven’t been able to play the prior game or see the anime.

That said, I look forward to exploring the full game in more detail once I get my hands on it early next
year. Until then, I stand poised to start my journey!

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is developed by Cygames, PlatinumGames Inc., and published by Cygames and XSEED Games. It will be available on PS4/5 and PC on January 29th, 2024.

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Nikki Waln

Writer, amateur artist, data scientist, and jack-of-all-trades, Nikki has many passions, but video games and storytelling are chief among them. An avid gamer since her first original Game Boy, her favorite titles tend to lean into creative and innovative ways to tell stories.

In her free time she loves to write and travel, having lived in or been to most of the continents, there are still more adventures to be had. Favorite games include the The Last of Us 2, The Witcher 3, KOTOR, and Persona 4&5. LGBT issues and social rights activism is near and dear to her heart. Dabbling in creative writing while teaching herself digital art, she currently pays the bills through freelance consulting. You can follow her random ravings on Twitter at @nikkiwaln, Instagram @newnikki88 & her website newdimensions.io

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