Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising Review – Soaring High with a Few Turbulences
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising brings fresh wind under the wings for both newcomers and veterans alike in this anime-style fighter. Is it a smooth flight, or should we prepare for a crash landing?
last updated Dec 18, 2023
With invigorating gameplay and stunning visuals, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising soars high above its few blemishes.
The Clash of Blades and Magic
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising's combat radiates an easy-to-learn-but-hard-to-master vibe, creating an addictive cycle. The gameplay spices up the fighting genre with a rich roster of characters, each bringing their own quirks to the table. Beginners can dip their toes in the scrappy seas with simplified input options, making those first few punches feel less daunting. However, veterans be warned: beneath the shiny armor lies a beast of complexity that provides a genuine challenge, ensuring that mastery is a fiery forge demanding time and skill. And yes, for those rubbing their hands at the thought of testing skills online, the netcode's rollback implementation is like a sweet, sweet caress to the otherwise fierce face of latency.
A Melodic Knockout
Audio in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising? It’s like a symphony and a rock concert had a baby, and it was raised in an arcade. The music scores every fight with an epic backdrop – you'll find yourself bobbing your head to the rhythm as you land combos. The sound effects make every hit feel like you are indeed channelling the raw power of fantasy characters. Give it up for the voice actors too, who bring life and soul to each character with their performances. While there’s mention of some audio bugs, those are but minor hiccups in what could be described as an auditory banquet for the ears.
Visually Stunning Showdowns
Eye candy alert! Visually, this game is on point, serving detailed, vibrant, and dynamic visuals that pop like an over-caffeinated pixie. The animations are slick, the art style is a treat, and it's all delivered with a performance smoother than a skald's verse. Sure, there's some griping in the realms of cyberspace about FPS limitations in lobbies, but in the heat of battle, the game displays its graphical splendor without a stutter. Characters are rendered in lovingly detailed fashion, so much so that you could swear they'd leap off the screen and into reality if they weren't busy pummeling each other into next week.
A Mixed Bag of Extras
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising doesn't just throw you into the brawl and call it a day. There's a smorgasbord of additional content to savor, from a progression system loaded with things to unlock, to a party game that's, dare we say, as fun as a barrel of mimics. A 'Fall Guys-esque' mode offers a clever change of pace. Still, not all that glitters is gold – some players noticed issues with matchmaking balance and pined for better regional support. There's also some muttering about keybinding quirks and less-than-cooperative menus for keyboard warriors. But in the grand scheme of things, these are small thorns on a rather majestic rose.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Cygames, Inc., Arc System Works
Publisher
Cygames, Inc.
Release Date
December 13, 2023
The Verdict: High-Flying Fantasy Fighter
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a testament to what a good sequel should be – building upon the solid foundation of its predecessor while injecting it with new life. Its invigorating gameplay and stunning visuals provide an experience that's as delightful as it is deep. While there are a few hiccups – like keyboard support oddities and some matchmaking woes – the heights that this game soars to make it easy to overlook these blemishes. This fighter is a welcome addition to any gamer's library, whether you're a fledgling mage in the art of combat or a battle-hardened warrior. Packed with personality and content, it's a powerful spell of fun that's hard to resist.
