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Review: Granblue Fantasy:Versus

  • 9.1/10
    Total Score - 9.1/10
9.1/10

Summary

“Granblue Fantasy Versus takes the mobile game and gives it a fresh spin. Great combat systems and a fantastic coop RPG mode help make it one of the most addictive fighting games I’ve played in a long time.”

Developer – Arc System Works

Publisher – Xseed Games

Release Date – March 3rd, 2020

Platforms – PS4

Full Video Review + GIVEAWAY!

Fighting games have had a great resurgence during this generation. Old franchises have evolved with new entries, new franchises have picked up the torch of older games no longer with us, and the rise of social media has given life to even the most niche of fighters. Arc System Works alone is responsible for a lot of these games. Their newest arrival, Granblue Fantasy Versus takes a bit of a different approach.

Granblue Fantasy Versus is a new 2D fighter that uses the graphic style made famous in Guilty Gear Xrd. As a franchise, the name Granblue Fantasy has a decidedly different origin outside of fighting games.

Granblue Fantasy is an extremely popular mobile game based out of Japan. It’s been around for years and is one of the oldest Gacha style games going.

Cygames, the series creators, has been trying to push Granblue Fantasy into the West and they are doing just that with two titles. Granblue Fantasy Relink, and Versus.

“This game looks fantastic”

Thankfully Cygames picked the right developer to work with, as Arc System Works is on fire lately with all of their fighters and that holds true here.

The interesting hook right off the bat for Granblue Versus, is the overall lack of a gimmick so to speak.

Sparking, X-Factor, Crushing Blows, Bursts, so many fighters have comeback mechanics or gameplay systems outside of the core fighting that try to influence the fight itself.

Granblue Fantasy has it’s own quirks, but they are related to the core combat system itself. Novices can mash auto combo’s, while more seasoned players will take to the games link system that resembles Street Fighter more than anything else. The game also has a unique take on assist attacks. Each character has a handful of special moves that can be performed with one simple input or by using the traditional motion.

The twist here is that one button special moves will cause a cool down, much like a spell in an RPG. However inputting the special move on your own will have a far less cool down.

EX moves take advantage of this in an interesting way. Instead of using any meter, EX moves will trigger a long cooldown for the associated special attack. It doesn’t matter if you do the easy input vs the technical command, EX moves will take that move off the books for some precious seconds.

“DLC is already on the way”

These systems go hand in hand with the rest of the games combat system. Granblue Versus may be anime, but not in any traditional way. This game doesn’t feature insane juggles, 50 hit air combo’s or team mechanics.

It’s a very grounded, focused combat system with an emphasis on spacing and patience. Defensively you also have a just defend, and a block button if holding back isn’t enough for you.

While holding block, you have two different options. A forward roll, and then a Smash Brothers style side dodge.

It all adds up to a great, fundamental feeling game that despite the insane visuals and stylish attacks is very easy to follow and even easier to pick up and play.

The small launch roster has some pretty good variety as well. It’s on the smaller side with 11 characters, and the game already has an extensive post launch plan in place to add a lot more fighters to the base game.

This may normally come across as a problem or greedy, bu honestly Granblue Versus has gone for a quality over quantity approach, and it’s something to acknowledge but isn’t a deal breaker.

“BIG BOOT!”

Command training and and a mission mode explaining the games mechanics go hand in hand with the standard training mode suite of options you’d expect out of any modern fighter.

The standout feature is absolutely the RPG mode. The RPG mode pays tribute to the franchise by basically the ebb and flow of the mobile game.

It follows a story that will have players moving across different islands, hopping from node to node to get through the overarching plot.

Missions range from the standard one on one fights, to side scrolling beat em ups and huge screen filling boss fights. Even better the entire mode can be played in local co-op.

Boss and Raid fights are also available to play with online coop and once you beat the campaign once, a hard mode opens up with even more missions.

On top of that, the game features a pretty deep weapon grid system which allows for leveling up and skill allocation. A Tower also opens up with even further challenges.

This mode is single handily one of the best modes a fighter has introduced in years. The mission structure allows for some freedom and depth beyond any other fighter out there.

“RPG mode adds a ton of stuff to do”

The online is the typical Arc System Works fair. Delay based netcode, chibi avatars and no way to just directly invite a friend to fight quickly. The matchmaking is also slow, and unfortunately for how much the game innovates once again the online feature set is stale and merely average.

Now I’ve had some great fights online with friends, but they live close. As soon as the distance starts to creep up, the latency gets worse and the whole experience becomes frustrating.

This is a problem that so many fighting games suffer from, and I wonder when the vast majority will finally embrace proper netcode and modernize how the basic online functionality works.

Visually Granblue Fantasy Versus is a marvel to take in. Great character models and detailed backgrounds take a backseat to the fantastic special attacks and Super Arts. Arc System works also does a great job of bringing the mobile game to life, replacing chibi fighters with fantastic interpretations of the entire cast.

All in all, Granblue Fantasy Versus is one of my favorite new fighting games in years. Whether it’s leveling up and fighting bosses in the RPG mode, or hitting rematch for hours on end fighting some friends.

The visuals, combat systems, art style and depth really work together to create something wholly unique and fun to play. An easy game to pick up, and even easier to recommend.

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