Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Reviews
Even in such a crowded space, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a quality fighting game and comes in a generous package with no shortage of single-player and multiplayer content. It looks the part and performs remarkably well where it matters most. Whether it carves out a consistent online community remains to be seen, but even on its own, this is the next best thing to a new BlazBlue release.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising brings substantial updates and new content, making it a standout in its genre despite the lack of an upgrade path from the original. With its expertly developed gameplay, expanded character roster, improved RPG mode, and innovative multiplayer options, it offers both accessibility and depth, catering to both newcomers and seasoned players in the fighting game community.
"Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising" emerges as a sequel that feels more like an enhanced edition of its predecessor rather than a brand-new entry — but that's not a bad thing.
That being said, by launching with a free version, Rising has given itself a fighting chance. While I find it hard to recommend Rising to most people at full price, I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone even vaguely interested check out the free version. There is a lot to love about Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and without risk of buyers remorse, players should jump into the free version to see if they are a good fit for Gran’s merry band of adventurers.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a decent anime fighter and a clear step up from its predecessor, but it isn't without its problems, some of which persist from the last game. I'm also not entirely sure of the longevity of the game, especially with how extortionate the Season 1 Pass is and the low install base this soon after launch, but fans of anime fighting games and the Granblue universe should be pleased with the overall package here.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising certainly looks like one of the most gorgeous fighting games out there and it plays well, even if the actual content feels a bit bland.
Overall, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a title that is safe, accessible, but lacking in challenge. It provides a story-mode that players will likely love or hate, a narrative that is safe but predictable, combat that is impactful but inconsistent, and controls that are accessible and intuitive. For fans of the series or players that struggle with other fighting games, this is a fine title to jump into. However, for those more experienced in the genre and are looking for something new, this is not the one to pick up.
While it does scratch a certain niche, I wouldn't dismiss Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising as just another anime-inspired fighting game. It's a fun offering to get started with, and as you get better skill-wise, you're left with a moderately sufficient technical fighter with a large roster of characters to choose from. There's something for everybody in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and don't let its "fighting game genre" think that there are only versus modes available. The story mode allows you to enjoy a single-player experience where you can progress a character through the lore while learning the fundamentals of the game. Even if you don't embark on a fighting game career, there's enough content here to keep you interested and engaged, which is a very good deal for its price!
There's plenty of content for those seeking to shell out the cash, however, and that's the best part. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising offers plenty of content for both its single-player and multiplayer components to justify its price tag and its new mechanics and highly refined visuals are just a beautiful sight to behold.