Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Granblue Fantasy Versus
Developer: Cygames, Inc., Arc System Works
Publisher: XSEED Games, Marvelous USA, Inc.
Genre: Action, Fighting
Price: $59.99
Also Available On: Steam
Cygames has a lot of experience under its belt. Though most of its work has been on the mobile front, the titles are not the typical garbage gamers would expect for on-the-go appreciation. They've been successful in their own right, possessing the worth and worthiness to claim a loyal base. As proven by, say, the online trading card game Shadowverse and the action-adventure role-playing game Dragalia Lost, it knows its target audience well and delivers exactly what's wanted. Even collaborations on such popular series as Fire Emblem, Love Live and Fate/Stay Night have thrived. Among all their games though, one stands out.
As gamers who haven't lived under a rock all this time know only too well, Granblue Fantasy is a release that can be played on both the mobile phone and the personal computer. Though its gacha monetization system echoes that of lootbox titles, it has proven to be a robust, well-made, and addictive online RPG. It has done exceedingly well, and not just because it features a colorful cast of weird, diverse, and interesting characters. Renowned Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu had a hand in its creation, with Squaresoft veteran Hideo Minaba providing art direction.
Considering the success of Granblue Fantasy, Cygames has not surprisingly moved to expand the franchise. Enter Granblue Fantasy Versus, a fighting game starring the beloved characters of its predecessor. Needless to say, there is no reinvention of the wheel; mechanics found in other two-dimensional fighters carry over, and those used to the genre will welcome its utter lack of a learning curve. Playing it is as easy as finding an opponent, mashing buttons, and then moving on.
Granblue Fantasy Versus has a very simple gameplay loop, but one that can prove addictive due to the speedy —make that extremely speedy — nature of its combat. At its heart, it encourages players to experiment with combos, air juggles, and special moves, thus lending the game one of its biggest strengths; the pace never really drags. In fact, fights may sometimes feel a little too fast. Thankfully, crisp gameplay is far from its only plus. Taking cues from its parent franchise, it likewise strives to look good. Characters are drawn very well and blend seamlessly with elegant backgrounds. Animations are likewise top notch, smooth and free of stutter. In an obvious nod to its source material, everything just oozes quality.
To be sure, Granblue Fantasy Versus isn't flawless. For instance, issues in network connectivity pop up on occasion. Then again, online battles are invariably problematic; as the multiplayer mode of countless other fighters have shown, even the slightest lag can have a huge impact on gameplay experience. This won't be a problem for those interested only in its single-player component, of course, but offerings in the fighting genre are best enjoyed by competitive souls who want their competence challenged without regard for geographical limitations.
Roster size is also a fairly telling issue for Granblue Fantasy Versus. Launching with just 11 characters, it lacks the robustness veterans of the genre are accustomed to seeing. True, said characters are fleshed out in terms of combo list and personality. On the other hand, the restrictions in choice — at least until additional fighters are introduced as downloadable content — may wear down on those who expect a larger playable cast.
The aforesaid issues aside, Granblue Fantasy Versus promises hours upon hours of fun taken in bits and pieces. It might not reinvent the genre, but it's nonetheless one of the most polished fighting games out in the market. Highly recommended.
THE GOOD
- Colorful cast of characters
- Accessible to newcomers but with plenty of depth for longtime veterans
- Well polished
THE BAD
- Roster size might turn away those looking for a larger cast
- Online experience dependent on network connectivity
RATING: 9.5/10
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