PGC NEWS

Granblue Fantasy: Relink, a console and PC game developed by Cygames, has finally arrived after a near-decade of development, marked by a notable partnership and subsequent departure of PlatinumGames. This action RPG, drawing from the popular Granblue Fantasy mobile game, promises an engaging journey through the skies of Zegagrande. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s delve into the world of Relink and uncover its strengths and weaknesses.

A Thrilling Journey Through the Skies

The adventure begins with the Grandcypher, your trusty airship, encountering trouble over Zegagrande, forcing a landing near the town of Folca. Here, you meet Rolan, the enigmatic “Repairman,” and quickly become embroiled in a quest to quell a rampaging ancient beast. This sets in motion a classic JRPG narrative, progressing from battling goblins and rescuing villagers to ultimately confronting a world-threatening supernatural force. While the plot may seem predictable, Relink’s dynamic pacing and engaging storytelling keep players hooked from beginning to end.

Newcomers to the Granblue Fantasy universe need not worry about being lost in the lore. The game thoughtfully incorporates a Glossary, providing instant explanations for unfamiliar terms during dialogue sequences. Furthermore, Fate Missions offer character-specific side stories, enriching the narrative and providing context for the main plot. These features seamlessly integrate backstory and character development without disrupting the main narrative flow.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Accessible Yet Deep Combat

Relink departs from the turn-based combat of its mobile predecessor, embracing a real-time action combat system reminiscent of popular JRPG franchises like Tales, Ys, and Kingdom Hearts. Players control a party of up to four characters, engaging in dynamic battles with a variety of attacks and abilities.

The combat system is designed for accessibility, with each character possessing basic and special attacks that can be chained into fluid combos. The intuitive controls and limited combo sets allow even novice action gamers to quickly grasp the basics and feel empowered in combat. Furthermore, characters can equip up to four skills, tailored for offensive, defensive, or support roles, adding strategic depth to the battles.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Combat revolves around managing the enemy’s Stun Gauge. Filling this gauge allows for powerful Link Attacks, increasing the party’s Link Level. Reaching 100% Link Level triggers Link Time, slowing down enemies while significantly boosting the party’s strength and recovery. Skybound Arts, each character’s ultimate attack, provides devastating damage and becomes crucial against challenging bosses. Simultaneous Skybound Arts trigger a Full Burst attack, dealing even greater damage.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Enemies possess diverse attack patterns and abilities, requiring players to adapt and strategize. Clear animations and well-defined hitboxes aid in reacting to enemy attacks through dodging or blocking. The game’s difficulty scales effectively, culminating in challenging endgame encounters that demand precise timing and strategic skill. Exploiting enemy weaknesses through character selection and skill utilization adds another layer of tactical depth.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

For those prioritizing story over challenge, Assist Mode offers automated dodging, healing, and even combo execution. However, this mode is disabled for online play and high-level content. Post-game content focuses on challenging missions, similar to Monster Hunter or MMO raids, encouraging cooperative play with AI companions or other players online to gather rare materials for character upgrades.

Customization and Character Variety

Relink boasts an impressive roster of 18 playable characters, each with a unique combat style and skillset. From Narmaya’s flashy combos reminiscent of Devil May Cry’s Vergil to Zeta’s aerial prowess, the character variety caters to diverse playstyles.

Character progression encompasses leveling, Masteries, and equipment. Leveling increases stats through experience gained from missions, which is shared across all characters, minimizing the grind. Masteries are character-specific skill trees divided into Attack, Defense, and Weapon branches, offering further customization options. While Mastery points are shared across all characters, various in-game activities provide ample opportunities to acquire them.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Equipment consists of weapons and Sigils, which function as stat-boosting accessories. Sigils, similar to Materia in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, allow for further customization and build diversity. Weapons can be upgraded to accommodate more Sigils, exponentially increasing build potential. The combination of character choice, Mastery customization, and equipment options creates a wealth of possibilities for players to define their own playstyle.

Lingering Issues

Despite its many strengths, Relink suffers from some minor technical flaws. The camera can be problematic, particularly when targeting airborne enemies, sometimes obscuring the action. AI-controlled party members can occasionally exhibit erratic behavior, hindering combat effectiveness, especially during boss encounters.

Conclusion

Granblue Fantasy: Relink offers a compelling action RPG experience with a captivating story, accessible yet deep combat, and a wealth of customization options. While minor technical issues detract slightly from the overall experience, Relink delivers on its promise of a thrilling adventure through the skies of Zegagrande.