8Bit/Digi

A New Adventure in the Sky Realm

Since 2014, mobile gamers have embarked on an exciting journey through the Sky Realm alongside the Grandcypher’s crew. Granblue Fantasy has earned its place as a beloved title, transporting players to diverse worlds and introducing them to memorable characters. However, fans were not expecting an entry that would embark on a more ambitious venture until now. 

Granblue Fantasy Relink marks a radical departure by extending the world of the Sky Realm to PC and PlayStation 5. The outcome is an adventure that continues the saga of the Grandcypher’s crew in a fresh setting. Although the familiar world and characters return, this entry acknowledges its departure from the mobile platform. Thus, we have an experience that caters more effectively to console and PC gamers.

Welcome the Zegagrande Skydom

Players once again assume the role of the Captain, either as Garn or Djeeta, guiding the crew of the Grandcypher. Their journey unfolds in the Zegagrande Skydom, brimming with prospects of adventure and treasure. Yet, their quest takes an unforeseen turn as it transforms into a daring rescue mission when Lyria is abducted by the Pilgrims of Avia. Their sinister leader, Lilith, aims to exploit Lyria as a pivotal element in the revival of Angra Mainyu, a primal beast capable of bending dimensions. Doing so would unleash enough power that it could obliterate the entire Zegagrande Skydom.

For the Grandcypher crew, it’s a race against time to stop Lilith and save not just their friend but also the Zegagrande Skydom.

If you haven’t played the mobile game, there’s no need to worry. Granblue Fantasy Relink does an excellent job of catching new players up with the story. On its own, the narrative follows the typical expectations of a high fantasy JRPG title. It features vibrant heroes, a charming mascot, and antagonists in the form of a religious fanatic organization attempting to awaken their god. While it may seem somewhat conventional, it makes up for it by creating a genuine connection with the characters. Whether you find yourself cheering for the heroes or harboring disdain for the villains, the game succeeds in making you invested in the story.

Bringing this world to life is the soundtrack and the return of the cast from the animated adaptation. The musical score adeptly sets the mood, instills excitement for battles, and enhances moments of quiet enjoyment. If you enjoyed the animated series then you’ll be pleased to know that the cast is back and doing a commendable job of breathing life into the Sky Realm.

Soaring Through the Sky

Granblue Fantasy Relink departs from its mobile predecessor by adopting the foundation of an ARPG for its gameplay. 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 character will use bladed weapons, 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 game boasts a plethora of enemies, but its true excellence lies in the diverse array of bosses encountered. The progression is gradual, starting with standard battles and gradually escalating to more challenging adversaries that dominate a chapter.

With an easy to learn gameplay along with a world rich in adventure and unique bosses will result in solid replay value. Even after completing the main story, there will be plenty to do. The quests not only provide an opportunity to enhance your skills. You also have the option to go solo or do it with a few friends. Side quests, in addition to extra rewards, offer players a compelling reason to explore settlements. What’s particularly commendable is that the additional content doesn’t feel like filler; instead, it enhances the overall replay value.

Fortune Favors the Bold

Granblue Fantasy is a series comprising a mobile RPG and two fighting game spin-offs. Venturing into the realm of an ARPG is ambitious, yet it also carries the potential for missteps. Initially, I approached it with tempered expectations. However, upon my first playthrough, I discovered that such caution was unnecessary. Relink adeptly sidesteps the pitfalls and mistakes often associated with transitioning from a mobile game to a console/PC experience. That alone would be an understatement; the game seamlessly incorporates all the essential elements for an enjoyable adventure.

Among the key mistakes it has avoided are making progression overly grindy and featuring subpar level designs. Leveling up doesn’t come across as a tedious chore, and there’s no need for excessive grinding to advance your character’s skills. Instead, quests and the main storyline offer a sufficient amount of experience points (XP) for leveling up and Mastery Skill Points (MSP) to enhance your skills. The game world boasts diverse and interactive designs, engaging players through their actions.

Overall, this game serves as a masterclass example of how a franchise can seamlessly transition from the mobile platform to the console and PC ecosystem.

Trouble in the Skies

If you’ve spent time in any JRPG fan group online, you’ve likely encountered discussions about the scarcity of airship-themed games or the desire for a remake/remaster of Skies of Arcadia. For gamers who have yearned for such an experience, Granblue Fantasy Relink is the answer. However, it feels like airship combat and action are treated not as a major part of the experience but as an appetizer at best. While they are a critical element of the world, their integration into the overall experience could have been more substantial than what was presented.

Granblue Fantasy Relink does a solid job of transporting players to sky worlds adorned with deserts, forests, and glaciers. However, every other fantasy game also has these aesthetic, lacking the unique feature of allowing players to traverse the world with an airship. Relink possesses this distinctive element, but it could have offered more in regards to the airship in the overall experience. 

Adventure Awaits

Granblue Fantasy Relink is not only a whimsical adventure but also a masterclass on how to bring a mobile game to the console and PC ecosystem. It’s an entry that has successfully brought its ambitious vision to life while avoiding the usual mistakes. The gameplay is easy to learn while the experience is rewarding be it through the boss battles or the replay. Bringing this world to life is the return of a familiar cast along with a solid soundtrack that knows how to set the tone. 

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.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink (PC)

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• A transition from mobile to console / PC without the usual misteps.
• Solid soundtrack and cast.
• Boss battles offer a variety of challenges and rewards.
• Easy to learn gameplay while also being rich in replay value.

Cons

• Use of airships in the experience feels limited despite the role they play in the game world.