8Bit/Digi

Welcome Back to the Sky Realm

One of my favorite games of 2024 was Granblue Fantasy: Relink for a number of reasons, especially as it stood out in a season that gave us Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Persona 3 Reload. It earned that spot thanks to its captivating cast, mesmerizing world, and status as one of the best titles to make the leap from mobile to console and PC. After beating it, I kept returning as new content dropped, eager to explore every corner of the Sky Realm.

Cygames then gave me a reason to really come back with the new DLC that takes players on a new adventure, Endless Ragnarok.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok DLC is the first major expansion that continues the adventures of the Grandcypher’s crew. A new threat has emerged and our heroes must join the ranks of the Sky Realm’s greatest warriors. The base game was already rich in replay value, but the DLC gives fans who have 100 percent the main game a reason to come back.

Wings of Destruction

Players once again assume the role of the Captain, either as Gran or Djeeta, guiding the crew of the Grandcypher. Their journey unfolds in the Zegagrande Skydom, a region brimming with prospects of adventure and treasure. Endless Ragnarok is set following the events of the main story, a new threat has emerged. New monsters have begun to appear in the world, and their presence poses a major threat. In response, the Alliance and various governments have come together to address the situation without causing a panic. The Grandcypher crew is recruited to help deal with the threat before it endangers the world.

Since the Endless Ragnarok story takes place after the events of the main game, you are going to be familiar with the story. How you feel about it will depend on whether you enjoyed the main game. Personally, I went into this without ever having played the mobile game or watched the anime, and I still enjoyed it. The core characters stood out, along with a world brought to life through its design choices and soundtrack.

Fortune Favors the Bold

Endless Ragnarok is an ARPG that has players assemble a party of four crew members to embark on quests or progress through the main story. Each character wields a unique weapon and possesses special attacks. As characters accumulate experience points (XP) for leveling up, they also gain Mastery Skill Points (MSP) to enhance their skill tree. However, it’s advisable not to exhaust all MSP on a single character; instead, distribute them evenly to ensure balanced growth among the entire party. Combat is based on what weapon a character is wielding. Most characters will use bladed weapons, a few will use firearms, and some will use magic-based weapons. Additionally, characters exhibit proficiency with specific elements, granting them a strategic advantage against particular foes.

The biggest change introduced by the DLC is the Conflux Surveys, portals that your party will explore. Each one takes you to a different world where you will battle foes, fight bosses, or solve a puzzle. With each world cleared, players earn Auras that can be used to unlock hidden effects or upgrade your character.

With the exception of the Conflux Surveys, not much has changed in the DLC when compared to the original game. There are some minor tweaks and alterations to the UI. Overall, if you have not played the game since 2024, you will not be lost or confused here. The original game was easy to learn, and that remains true now. What has changed is the addition of more content in the form of a new story, new quests, and the inclusion of the Conflux Surveys.

Trouble in the Skies

Explaining what I have enjoyed about Endless Ragnarok would be pointless for the most part because I would be repeating almost everything I have said about Granblue Fantasy: Relink. The base game was one of my favorite games of 2024, and that says a lot in a year with so many standout RPGs like Persona 3 Reload, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and Metaphor: ReFantazio. The soundtrack that knows how to set the tone, unforgettable boss battles that are rewarding, and the rich replay value are still present.

Instead, the DLC expands the lore and journey by giving you more to do than before. There are new worlds to explore, new bosses to fight, and new quests to embark upon. Conflux Surveys is a great addition to the game thanks to its randomized worlds and variety in gameplay.

The same could be said about the issues in the DLC, as some of them mirror the base game. Even though Granblue Fantasy: Relink has undergone numerous updates since launch, some of the problems players had at launch are likely still present. However, issues someone had with the main game may have been alleviated over time or addressed by the DLC. Other problems may not be so egregious and can be easily overlooked by a player, even in Endless Ragnarok.

A New Adventure Awaits

Endless Ragnarok DLC adds a new adventure while building upon what made Granblue Fantasy: Relink a masterpiece. Its defining aspects, such as its worldbuilding, rich characters, and easy to learn gameplay, are all present, now paired with new adventures. How it falls short will depend on how a player feels about the base game and the updates it has received over time, which could address most of them at the time of launch.

Gamers who have been playing since launch will have a good reason to reinstall it and return to the Sky Realm. Those who have not picked up the main game should give it a try now, as there is more content than before, with the assurance that your adventure will not end after one playthrough.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.