Granblue Fantasy: Relink

The story of Granblue Fantasy: Relink receives praise for its accessibility, engaging pacing, and charm, particularly for newcomers to the franchise. Critics like TechRadar Gaming and TechRadar Gaming highlight its straightforward, newcomer-friendly narrative that avoids overwhelming players with complex lore, while RPG Fan commends its emotional depth, positivity, and the use of Fate Episodes to flesh out character backstories. Gamer Escape notes the "interesting spins on familiar formulas" and the "impressive villains," while Voxel appreciates the themes of friendship and justice, coupled with a cinematic presentation. IGN Spain and Gameblog.fr acknowledge the effective character introductions through optional missions and episodes, and INVEN praises its ability to captivate players unfamiliar with the original IP. These reviews suggest the story succeeds in being entertaining and cohesive, even if it leans on classic JRPG tropes to maintain a sense of urgency and excitement. However, the narrative is frequently criticized for its lack of originality, depth, and emotional engagement. IGN France and MeuPlayStation describe it as unoriginal, clichéd, and rushed, with minimal character development and saccharine dialogue. PC Games and Digital Trends point to its predictable plot, focusing on a "tired narrative of protecting the world from an evil cult," while GameCritics and Cubed3 argue that the main story feels like a tutorial, prioritizing gameplay over meaningful storytelling. Finger Guns and Jeuxvideo.com note the episodic structure and compartmentalized storytelling, which can make the world feel less immersive. GamingBolt and But Why Tho? mention stagnant characterization and confusing details for newcomers, while Push Square and Noisy Pixel critique the absence of co-op-driven narrative and limited exploration, respectively. Many reviewers feel the story sacrifices complexity for speed, leaving players wanting more from its characters and themes. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s story is serviceable but not exceptional, balancing charm with formulaic execution. While it effectively introduces the universe and maintains a brisk pace, its reliance on JRPG clichés and lack of substantial character growth are recurring complaints. IGN Spain and Gameblog.fr emphasize its role in establishing the world and characters, yet IGN France and MeuPlayStation argue it fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. RPG Fan and Gamer Escape acknowledge its emotional highs and engaging moments, but most agree it doesn’t elevate the genre. The narrative’s strengths—such as its accessibility, cinematic flair, and occasional twists—coexist with its weaknesses, making it a functional but unremarkable entry. Critics like INVEN and TechRadar Gaming suggest it’s a solid foundation for fans, but the lack of innovation and depth prevents it from standing out as a definitive JRPG experience.

The gameplay of Granblue Fantasy: Relink is widely praised for its dynamic and engaging action-RPG mechanics, with many critics highlighting its fast-paced combat and variety of characters. Reviews from IGN Italia and Voxel commend the fluidity of the combat system, noting that it balances accessibility with depth, allowing players to master unique skills and combos. The Games Machine draws comparisons to Musou games, emphasizing the excitement of experimenting with different characters and their special moves, while RPG Site and PC Gamer appreciate the intuitive multiplayer action and the ability to control a diverse roster of over a dozen characters, each with distinct weapons and playstyles. The game’s emphasis on cooperative play, as noted by Vandal and INVEN, fosters strategic teamwork through mechanics like Link Attacks and elemental affinities, creating a satisfying experience for both solo and group sessions. Inverse and Destructoid specifically praise the thrill of mastering character combat styles and the intensity of boss battles, which are described as well-designed and requiring adaptive tactics. These positives collectively paint a picture of a gameplay loop that is energetic, visually dazzling, and rewarding for fans of action-oriented RPGs. However, several critics point to notable drawbacks, including repetitive mechanics and a lack of depth in certain areas. Cubed3 and PlayStation Country criticize the combat as simplistic, relying heavily on basic attacks and dodging, which can grow monotonous over time. Wccftech and VideoGamer mention limitations like the inability to switch party members during battles and repetitive mission structures, while Everyeye.it and Dexerto note the low difficulty, which diminishes the challenge of encounters. Finger Guns and TheSixthAxis also highlight issues with the AI-controlled companions in solo play, which can feel scripted or restrictive, and Jeuxvideo.com points to under-explained lore and mechanics that may leave players wanting more. Additionally, Movies Games and Tech and Eurogamer acknowledge that the combat occasionally veers into button-mashing territory, and Voxel mentions the tricky camera movement as a potential hindrance. These critiques suggest that while the gameplay is fun, it occasionally lacks the complexity or variety to sustain long-term engagement for all players. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among critics is that Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers a strong and enjoyable gameplay experience, with the majority praising its accessibility, character variety, and cooperative elements. While some reviewers, like Cubed3 and PlayStation Country, find the system too basic, others such as RPG Site and Voxel emphasize its depth and strategic potential, particularly in boss fights and team-based missions. The game’s ability to cater to both casual and dedicated players is a recurring theme, with GamingBolt and GamingTrend noting the satisfaction of combo chains and character customization. Even the criticisms of repetition and simplicity are often tempered by acknowledgments of the game’s fun and engaging core loop, as seen in VG247’s description of it as “plain and simple fun” and INVEN’s praise for its innovative cooperative mechanics. Ultimately, the gameplay is seen as a highlight, with its strengths in variety, accessibility, and multiplayer synergy outweighing its flaws for most reviewers.

The majority of critics praised Granblue Fantasy: Relink for its vibrant art direction, creative visual style, and immersive environments. Many highlighted its anime-inspired aesthetic, with critics like Multiplayer.it and Voxel noting the "beautiful cartoonish art style" and "exquisite character design" that enhance the overall experience. IGN France and GameGrin lauded the "watercolor aesthetic" and "staggeringly gorgeous" visuals, while RPGamer and Voxel emphasized the "vibrant worlds" and "hand-painted backgrounds" that create a cohesive and appealing artistic identity. The cel-shaded character models, described as "flawless" by IGN Spain and "polished" by COGconnected, were frequently praised for their expressive details and alignment with the game’s 2D origins. Additionally, Inverse and VG247 celebrated the "immaculately detailed anime-inspired aesthetic" and "vibrant environments," with some critics noting the game’s ability to translate its mobile roots into a visually dynamic 3D world. However, several critics pointed out technical limitations and areas where the visuals fell short of expectations. SpazioGames and Push Square criticized the "outdated technical aspects" and "rough graphics," particularly in performance mode, where 1080p resolution led to "jagged assets" on 4K displays. IGN Deutschland and VideoGamer noted that environments sometimes felt generic or lacked depth, with reused arenas limiting visual variety. MeuPlayStation and Gamer Escape mentioned that combat effects could "clutter the screen," making it hard to track characters, while INVEN and Voxel pointed to "slightly outdated" details in some models. GameSpew and Tech-Gaming also noted minor issues like "soft image quality" and "limited graphical settings," though these were often framed as minor drawbacks rather than major flaws. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the game’s artistic direction and visual appeal far outweighing its technical shortcomings. Over two-thirds of the reviews highlighted the game’s "gorgeous" or "stunning" visuals, with GameGrin, Inverse, and VG247 emphasizing its ability to deliver a "visually stunning" experience that captures the essence of the Granblue Fantasy franchise. While some critics, like SpazioGames and IGN Deutschland, acknowledged the game’s limitations in terms of graphical fidelity and exploration depth, the majority viewed its art style and design as a major strength. The combination of vibrant color palettes, detailed character models, and a cohesive anime-inspired aesthetic created a visually cohesive and engaging world, earning praise from both fans and critics alike.

The majority of critics overwhelmingly praised the sound design and music of Granblue Fantasy: Relink, highlighting their immersive and dynamic qualities. Digital Trends and GameSpot emphasized the "triumphant" and "soaring" orchestral compositions by Nobuo Uematsu and Tsutomu Narita, noting how they elevate boss fights and gameplay. TouchArcade and GameGrin described the soundtrack as "amazing" and "well-put-together," with tracks ranging from tranquil town melodies to intense battle anthems that "enhance the overall experience." IGN Deutschland and RPG Fan specifically commended the orchestral arrangements for their ability to "elevate the intensity of combat" and "fuel lengthy boss encounters," while COGconnected and Gamer Escape celebrated the "fantastic" score and "delightful" audio, with the latter appreciating the blend of familiar and novel tunes. The music’s emotional resonance and atmospheric cohesion were frequently lauded, with Gameblog.fr calling it "inspiring" and Movies Games and Tech noting that "each track is better than the last." These reviews collectively underscore the soundtrack’s role in amplifying the game’s epic and whimsical tone, particularly during key narrative and combat moments. However, a smaller subset of critics pointed out limitations or areas for improvement. Wccftech criticized the music as "background noise" that "doesn’t stand out," while CD-Action found it "enjoyable but could be more interesting." Eurogamer Germany noted the soundtrack "sounds too similar to other franchises," suggesting a lack of originality, and GIGA mentioned that the orchestral elements "can become annoying over time," particularly due to repetitive tracks. Hobby Consolas observed that while the soundtrack "fits the game’s atmosphere," none of the tracks were "particularly memorable," and some reviewers, like GIGA, criticized specific voice acting as "grating." Additionally, Push Square pointed out that the audio could feel "overwhelming" during battles due to excessive character dialogue, which occasionally detracted from the musical experience. These critiques, while less frequent, reflect concerns about the music’s distinctiveness and occasional overuse in high-intensity scenarios. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall consensus among critics is that Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s sound design and music are a significant strength. The contributions of Uematsu and Narita, recognized by multiple outlets like Everyeye.it and Jeuxvideo.com, were frequently described as "exceptional" and "gorgeous," with many noting their ability to "enhance the game’s atmosphere" and "breathe life into the adventure." While a few reviewers felt the music lacked originality or became repetitive, the majority emphasized its quality, emotional depth, and seamless integration with gameplay. For instance, RPG Site praised the "excellent battle and exploration themes," and Voxel highlighted how the soundtrack "effectively reimagines classic themes." Even critics who mentioned minor flaws, such as GIGA and Eurogamer Germany, acknowledged the music’s general excellence. This strong positive reception, coupled with the occasional critique, paints a picture of a soundtrack that is largely celebrated for its craftsmanship and atmosphere, even if it doesn’t consistently break new ground.

The voice acting in Granblue Fantasy: Relink receives widespread praise for its ability to enhance character depth and narrative immersion. Critics like GameSpot highlight that the characters’ personalities are effectively conveyed through clear facial expressions and voice tone, while TouchArcade and RPG Site commend the performances for adding emotional resonance and bringing the story to life. Atomix and PlaySense note that both English and Japanese audio tracks are strong and well-executed, with Everyeye.it and TechRadar Gaming emphasizing the quality of returning and new voice actors, creating a sense of familiarity and authenticity. Gamer Escape and RPG Fan specifically praise the English cast for their inspired choices and stellar delivery, with RPG Site pointing to standout performances by Erica Lindbeck as Katarina and Kyle Hebert as Rackem. The consistent optimism and engaging tone of the cast, as noted by PlayStation Country, further contribute to the game’s lively atmosphere, making the voice acting a key strength in the overall experience. However, some critics point to notable drawbacks. GIGA criticizes high-pitched performances that become irritating during intense moments like boss fights, while Metro GameCentral finds the dialogue “weak and saccharine,” detracting from its impact. Push Square mentions that voice acting can feel excessive, disrupting gameplay flow, and GameGrin notes that “some voices can be a little grating.” COGconnected observes that while the English voice acting is good, it leans heavily on an anime-style delivery that might not appeal to all, suggesting a preference for Japanese audio. Additionally, MeuPlayStation highlights the absence of full voice acting, relying only on localized text and menus, which could disappoint fans expecting a more immersive audio experience. These critiques often focus on specific tonal choices, pacing, or technical aspects, rather than outright failure, but they reveal areas where the voice acting falls short of perfection. Despite mixed feedback on certain elements, the overall consensus among critics leans strongly positive. Most reviews, including those from IGN Italia, VG247, and Vandal, acknowledge the voice acting as a significant contributor to immersion and character development, with GamingBolt and COGconnected praising its consistency and emotional weight. While some critics like GameGrin and GIGA mention minor irritations, these are often overshadowed by the general acclaim for the cast’s effort and the game’s narrative cohesion. The presence of both English and Japanese voice tracks, highlighted by Hobby Consolas and PlaySense, adds flexibility for players, though MeuPlayStation’s disappointment underscores a gap in expectations versus execution. Ultimately, the voice acting is seen as a cornerstone of the game’s appeal, with its strengths in character expression and storytelling outweighing the occasional flaws.

The technical performance of Granblue Fantasy: Relink receives largely positive feedback across platforms, with notable strengths in stability and optimization. On PC, reviewers like But Why Tho? and PC Gamer praise the game’s polished and stable performance, highlighting consistent frame rates and no significant technical issues. The Games Machine notes a stable 120fps on ultra settings, while Tech-Gaming commends lag-free online co-op. For PS5, Atomix and GameGrin emphasize smooth gameplay with no major bugs, and IGN and Push Square highlight stable 60fps performance. TouchArcade also observes smooth performance on both Steam Deck and PS5, though minor frame drops on the Deck are noted. Overall, both platforms benefit from strong optimization, with GamingTrend and GameSpew acknowledging the game’s ability to handle demanding visuals without major hiccups. However, technical concerns persist across both platforms. On PC, GameCritics raises alarms about save file corruption, while ZTGD points to crashes and missing features in the PC port. Tech-Gaming notes AI limitations in late-game scenarios, and TouchArcade mentions frame rate drops on the Steam Deck. For PS5, IGN France criticizes subpar frame rates and resolution, while MGG highlights limited frame rate options that frustrate fast-paced gameplay. Voxel and Movies Games and Tech point to online multiplayer issues, including connection errors and lengthy load times, respectively. Additionally, Eurogamer Germany and SpazioGames note graphical limitations and technical shortcomings from the game’s PS4 origins, suggesting that some optimizations remain incomplete. Despite these issues, the overall consensus among critics leans positive, with most praising the game’s stability and performance. While PC reviewers like But Why Tho? and PC Gamer emphasize its polished state, PS5 critics such as Atomix and GameGrin highlight seamless gameplay and graphical flexibility. However, mixed feedback exists on online features, with Voxel and IGN France pointing to persistent multiplayer and optimization challenges. The game’s cross-platform performance, as noted by TouchArcade, is generally well-received, though platform-specific quirks—like PC port limitations or PS5 graphical trade-offs—remain. Ultimately, while technical flaws exist, the majority of reviewers agree that Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers a technically solid experience, with its strengths outweighing its shortcomings.

The reviewers generally acknowledge that Granblue Fantasy: Relink offers notable replay value through its post-game content, multiplayer modes, and character progression systems. Critics like Siliconera highlight the substantial endgame with islands to explore, solo boss fights, and assist modes that cater to varied playstyles, while Destructoid and Vandal emphasize the appeal of cooperative quests and endgame challenges. GamingBolt and RPG Fan point to the game’s extensive optional quests, Fate Episodes, and character customization as incentives for returning, with GameGrin comparing its bite-sized missions to Monster Hunter’s addictive structure. GIGA and MGG note that the game’s post-launch potential, including future updates and hundreds of hours of content, could sustain engagement, and Gamer Escape praises the "big, sprawling experience" with side quests and future story expansions. These positives suggest that the game’s depth in multiplayer and endgame mechanics provides a strong foundation for repeated play. However, several critics express concerns about repetition and grind detracting from replayability. VideoGamer and LevelUp criticize the short main story and generic single-player structure, while Multiplayer.it and GameSpew argue that side missions and progression systems feel tedious and lack variety. The Games Machine and IGN Deutschland mention limited enemy diversity and post-game content that fails to maintain long-term interest, and TheSixthAxis notes that the inability to play the main story co-op reduces motivation for revisiting. Tech-Gaming and Gameblog.fr describe the incremental progression as a drawback, and Digital Trends warns that the late-game grind may not justify the effort for players seeking an ongoing experience. Many reviewers also highlight that the repetitive nature of quests and the lack of clear post-game goals could alienate those who prefer dynamic or narrative-driven content. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward acknowledging the game’s replay value as contingent on player preferences. While Siliconera, Vandal, and MGG praise the endgame’s depth and cooperative elements, others like VideoGamer and LevelUp find it insufficient for sustained engagement. The game’s reliance on grind and repetitive mechanics is a recurring criticism, yet its character customization, multiplayer co-op, and optional content provide enough variety to appeal to fans of the Granblue Fantasy universe. RPG Fan and TRG emphasize that the challenging boss encounters and skill experimentation justify repeated play for some, while GamingTrend and SpazioGames suggest that future updates might enhance its longevity. Ultimately, the replay value is seen as strong for those prioritizing co-op and endgame challenges but limited for players seeking originality or narrative-driven experiences.