Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Review

Blending melodramatic and comedic storytelling with turn-based battle action, Granblue Fantasy introduced players to a universe filled to the brim with underdog heroes and anthropomorphic allies, astral beings and apocalyptic antagonists, swords, spells, and a cast of ridiculously sexy characters. I’m not suggesting that this latter element is the key to Granblue‘s success story but… I don’t know how to finish that sentence.

Due to its incredible success in the Japanese market, publisher CyGames decided to transition Granblue‘s worlds and characters into the fighting game genre - tasking veteran scrap-masters Arc System Works with developing a fighter that captured the mobile RPG’s style and personality while offering the fanbase the opportunity to take direct control of their favorite Skyfarers for the very first time.

When Granblue Fantasy Versus (GBVS) launched in the spring of 2020, it was, admittedly, a huge hit in Asia, charting in Japan, China, and South Korea and racking up the best part of half a million sales. Unfortunately, this success didn’t translate to the west. A lack of IP experience, a thin content package, and an unfavorable launch window saw GBVS receive positive, but hardly glittering reviews, while not exactly setting sales alight. This was a shame, as GBVS contained many of the key ingredients required for a solid fighting experience, it all just seemed a little underbaked.

Undaunted, CyGames is taking a second swing of the sword. And, with Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, the publisher is not only looking to deliver a sequel that improves upon its predecessor but also offers players a feature-packed, lore-loving product that will please both fighting game advocates and the Granblue Fantasy faithful.

So, come pet my fluffy ears, and I’ll regale you with thoughts on this sultry-yet-spellbinding world.

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The ruthless trickster Belial heads up a cast of the bad, the bold & the beautiful

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (GBVSR) is an official sequel to Granblue Fantasy Versus - not an expansion, update, or “complete” edition. It’s easy to understand how this status has confused players, as the new release features much of the content included in its predecessor, along with the revamped gameplay mechanics and balance updates that were applied to the original GBVS in summer 2022. Despite these initial similarities, GBVSR is very much its own entity, boasting a brand-new story mode, a stack of debuting side-features, fully rebuilt online capabilities, crossplay support, and some other compellingly quirky distractions.

The GBVSR roster includes all 25 combatants from the original release, (and its subsequent DLC), as well as a quartet of new arrivals for an impressive 29 total fighters. It is this roster - a menagerie of over two dozen heroes and villains, most of whom are ridiculously hot - that gives GBVSR its core personality. The Rising roster features the Rushdown, Shoto, Zoner, and Grappler archetypes, with a few creative outliers added for the more discerning player. These include the pint-sized, trap-laying alchemist Cagliostro, emo puppet fighter Nier, and the holy bro trinity of Lowain, Elsam, and Tomoi.

Character choice is one of GBVSR‘s most inviting features and - due to the game’s easygoing mechanics - learning multiple characters feels less daunting than in other top-tier fighters.

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(1 of 2) Like any good fantasy fighter, GBVSR wages war with steel

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Like any good fantasy fighter, GBVSR wages war with steel (left), and spellbook (right)

A four-button affair, (consisting of three attack strengths and a unique button for EX maneuvers and command moves), GBVSR‘s system is built around auto-combos that chain close-range attacks into special moves, Skybound Arts (supers), and Super Skybound Arts (ultras). From a defensive slant, players have access to standard blocking, limited combo breakers, and a Fatal Fury style “sway” - momentarily moving the character out of harm’s way and potentially leaving the opponent open for a punish counter.

This intuitive system allows even the most inexperienced players to quickly get to grips with GBVSR, pulling off explosive combos and holding their own against the CPU, even if it may seem a tad simplistic for the veteran fighting game player. In addition to GBVSR‘s auto-chain system, players can choose between Technical and Simple inputs. The former requires the standard quarter/half circle inputs for special moves, while the latter adds a dedicated “Special” button - offering easy access to the respective character’s biggest attacks.

Clearly, Arc Sys is hoping to hook players from the Granblue community who may not be well-versed in the art of Street Fighting. It’s a design ethos that serves GBVSR very well. The sequel offers an easy introduction to the genre overall, even when compared to other fighters with similar systems. GBVSR will likely be the title I’ll be recommending to new players looking to get into fighting games.

Aesthetically, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is delightful, featuring vibrant colors, nicely realized worlds, and attractive stages and character models. The modern anime fighter - think Guilty Gear Strive, DNF Duel, or Dragon Ball FighterZ - has spectacularly captured the spirit and personality of anime and adapted it for the fighting game genre. GBVSR is no different, utilizing creative animations, charismatic fight intros, exciting visual effects, and dramatic supers.

Special mention must also be made of GBVSR‘s sound package. A fantastic, genre-hopping score that runs the gauntlet from epic, pompous battle themes to soft boy-rock and squealing guitars - all attuned to each character’s respective dynamic. Additionally, the voice work is universally excellent, from the thousands of lines of dialogue uttered in GBVSR’s story mode, to a litany of bespoke winquotes and mid-battle reaction. GBVSR has among the best voice work in the genre, such is the stellar effort made to imbue the cast with life and personality.

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(1 of 2) GBVSR’s story mode features battles with Astral Beings such as the mighty Colossus,

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GBVSR’s story mode features battles with Astral Beings such as the mighty Colossus, (left), and the beautiful forest queen, Rosetta (right)

Answering one of the main complaints levied toward Granblue Fantasy Versus, GBVSR offers a suite of features designed to keep the player throwing fist, feet, and tail. Alongside a standard Arcade mode and Vs. battles, players can battle one another online in casual and ranked matches, and also host private rooms for friendly gatherings. GBVSR now utilizes rollback technology, offering an online experience that is leaps and bounds over that of its predecessor.

Crossplay is now supported between PlayStation and PC platforms - a very welcome addition that will help expand the player pool. It should be noted that GBVSR’s online capabilities are not quite as slick as those experienced in, say, Street Fighter 6. And while the experience is clearly the best it has ever been, the netcode could still use a little additional polish.

An attractive public lobby lets players guide a cute lil’ avatar through an arcade center and its sunny surroundings. Here they can challenge other players to combat, engage in sparring sessions, chat and make friends, play a little soccer (no, really), and even win prizes in crane games. The lobby also features a guestbook, (essentially a built-in forum), where players can post threads in order to interact with the community, share tech, and ask questions. Perhaps of no surprise to anybody, this latter idea has already become somewhat… corrupted.

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GBVSR’s revamped online includes crossplay, rollback netcode and an adorable new lobby

If you’re looking for a little retail therapy, then currency earned in battle can be spent on new color palettes, alternate weapon skins, profile card content, artwork, music, and more. A scaled-down version of Guilty Gear Strive’s diorama builder has also been added to the package for all you creative types. Perhaps my favorite feature is the “Partner” system, which allows the player to choose any character from the roster to act as a sort of live-in sidekick, popping up during menus and between matches to offer advice, cheerlead, inspire, or simply crack wise. This is such a small but fun addition, and it adds a ton of personality to the presentation. Plus, it lets me pretend Eustace is my boyfriend, (we love each other.)

The most surprising feature of GBVSR, however, comes in the form of “Grand Bruise”. This is, in essence, an entire Fall Guys clone set within the Granblue Fantasy universe. Much like Mediatonic’s multiplayer hit, parties of GBVSR players take their chosen character through a series of rough ‘n’ tumble minigames - running slapstick obstacle courses, looting gold bars, fighting waves of battle bots, and evading bombs and laser beams - all in an effort to become the last Skyfarer standing.

Though this mode is currently a little low on variety, (hopefully more rounds will be added over time), Grand Bruise is an inspired addition to the package, allowing players to take a sabbatical from fisticuffs to enjoy some low-stakes fun and even win some in-game goodies in the process.

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(1 of 2) Grand Bruise is a Fall Guys tribute that sees the cast engage in obstacle courses

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Grand Bruise is a Fall Guys tribute that sees the cast engage in obstacle courses (left), and sky high brawls (right)

Given the quality of its presentation, the enjoyment of its gameplay, and its healthy array of additional content, it’s difficult to see Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising as anything but a success. CyGames and Arc System Works listened to the player feedback, evaluated the current fighting game climate, and then responded with a sequel that fine-tunes the better elements of its predecessor, while rectifying many of its issues.

Pointedly, GBVSR feels like a fighter designed for players of all levels of interest and experience, offering accessible combat, a charismatic roster, an intuitive story mode, and a suite of nicely crafted side-attractions. A free edition of GBVSR - which has limited features and a rotating cast of four characters - is also available, which will hopefully encourage new players still on the fence to get a taste of the action. A smart marketing move from the publisher.

While the original Granblue Fantasy Versus found a devoted community, there was an unshakable feeling that the release simply didn’t capitalize on its full potential. While it may only be a few scant years later, the current climate, (and a release timed to align with the forthcoming Granblue Fantasy: Relink) offers GBVSR a rare second chance to make a first impression.

Boasting significant improvement in almost every department, 2024 could be the year that GBVSR achieves a more notable presence within the fighting game community and with western audiences at large. Is GBVSR worthy of such recognition? Absolutely. But as to whether the competitive scene embraces the sequel in the coming year and beyond, that remains to be seen. Time for Fate’s Episode.

Finding its feet for a second round, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising comes out swinging. Delivering an exciting, accessible, and shamelessly sexy fighting experience - packed with dramatic action, fun features, and bags of personality - GBVSR is a major improvement over its predecessor, fully deserving of a spot among the new year’s heaviest hitters.

This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by the reviewer.