Man, playing Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy Relink really had me feeling some serious déjà vu. Like, I must have muttered “That seems familiar” more times than I can count within the first couple of hours. Picture this: a massive monster attacking my boat right at the start, my little sidekick being a cutesy flying mascot with a squeaky voice and only one mood, and then BAM, a seemingly harmless cult turning out to be super sketchy. And let’s not forget when the hero busted out the power of friendship to rescue the magical girl who once saved his bacon in his tiny hometown under siege by an evil empire.
Cygames took bits and pieces from classic RPGs like Lunar: Silver Star Story, Bravely Default, and Tales of series, tossed them all together, and created Granblue Fantasy Relink. You’d think it would be a total cliché-fest, right? But nope, it’s actually pretty awesome. What sets this game apart is how it breathes new life into these familiar tropes with a heartfelt sincerity and charm that’s just so darn irresistible.
Now, Granblue Fantasy Relink is kinda like a follow-up to Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy, a Japanese-only mobile and browser game that never quite made it overseas. It all kicks off with a young sky pilot named Gran (or Djeeta, if you’re feeling the female vibes) living the quiet life on a sky island. Cue blue-haired magic girl Lyria crash-landing, chased by baddies from that evil empire. Our hero steps in, nearly kicks the bucket, and then Lyria pulls a move, giving half her life force to keep them alive. Teaming up with Lyria’s protector Katalina, the trio hits the road on a wild adventuring spree. Gran’s (or Djeeta’s) old man left a message nudging them toward Estalucia, this mythical island full of legendary beings, and now they’re off on a quest to find it. Along the way, our hero (or heroine) and their crew dive headfirst into all sorts of mini adventures that keep things spicy
An epic journey
Cygames had a tough task ahead with Relink. The adventures of Gran and Djeeta span over a decade, and most folks outside Japan probably never even heard of Astr, the Erste Empire, or Lyria. So, how did Cygames tackle this hurdle? Well, they crammed a quick summary into Lyria’s diary, doubling as Relink’s in-game archive, and kept it moving. Not the most graceful solution, but with the vast Granblue story to condense, it seemed like the best bet.
Unlike your typical RPG, there’s no looming evil empire threatening your journey. The main storyline follows a pretty standard path, but the twist of the hero dealing with their father’s legacy adds a nice touch, giving the narrative a bit of a lift. Personally, I love RPGs that delve into life’s deeper meanings like Yakuza: Like A Dragon and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, so I was surprised that I didn’t miss that aspect in Relink.
However, the real gem in Relink is its characters. Cygames’ confidence in its cast shines through, dodging the usual pitfalls of stories with large ensembles. Instead of forcing everyone into every scene or getting lost in side stories, Relink lets characters and their relationships blossom naturally alongside the main plot in small snippets. The quality of the writing and the depth of connections between characters give even the tiniest moments weight – like the young mage Io promising Lyria makeup tips once she figures out how the stuff works.
Relink is like a master at telling stories in its own unique way, just like in those popular of games. It really draws you in and makes you feel like you’re part of the action.’s like watching a chill slice-of-life anime one moment, and then suddenly you’re thrown into a mission to save the whole world. And the crazy is, it transitions between the two seamlessly without missing a beat.
But here’s the thing – when it comes to your main crew, everything feels just right. They fit in perfectly with the story, and you get to know inside and out. But when it comes to the new members you can recruit, they kinda feel like they’re just there for show. Sure, their intro missions are pretty long, but it’s like they’re added in for some extra flair or to spice up multiplayer hunts. Still, they sure are a blast to have in battles.
Let’s talk about the gameplay, though. The story is cool and all, but the real star of the show is Cygames’ killer battle system. Each character packs a punch with basic and strong attacks that you can string together to unleash some epic combos. And as you progress, you unlock even more skills to mix and match – gotta keep things interesting, right? Oh, and don’t forget to dodge and block like your life depends on it.
Now, what makes Relink stand out is all those little extra touches that really amp up the experience. Pull off a killer combo and watch your skill power soar like something out of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (but way easier to understand, thank goodness). And when the stars align, you can unleash some serious Link Attacks that’ll blow your mind. Plus, if everyone times their special moves just right, your whole squad can team up for one epic smackdown. And let’s not forget those Skybound Arts – ultimate skills that pack a serious punch.
And when it comes to combat style, some folks compare Relink to Tales of Arise, but for me, it’s more like Ys VIII and Ys IX from Nihon Falcom. It’s light on its feet and keeps you on your toes, unlike the more serious Arise. Plus, since you don’t have to worry about managing MP, you’re free to mix and match skills and party members to your heart’s content. It’s a total blast that only gets better as you add more friends to your crew.
Relink’s exploration and adventuring offer a mixed bag of experiences. Once you step outside the towns, you’re greeted with vast semi-open areas teeming with roaming monsters, hidden secrets, and treasures waiting to be discovered. Not to mention the stunning views that will make you pause and before you continue your journey. But let me ask you this – are the treasures and environments thrilling enough to make you want to explore just for the fun of it? Probably not. However, stumbling upon hidden caches or defeating monster hordes will earn you better equipment, is crucial when you’re part of a team as large as Relink’s. The system gets the job done, but it lacks the spark of creativity that you’ll find in other aspects of the game.
Speaking of creativity, Cygames’ approach to RPG towns is a breath of fresh air. The villages and bustling sky cities you encounter in Relink may not have a ton of attractions or activities to keep you occupied, but they feel more vibrant and dynamic compared to most settings in the genre. Every corner you turn is bustling with life – vendors selling their wares in the market, people going about their daily routines, engaging in conversations, conflicts, and even falling in love. And guess what – most of this liveliness isn’t tied to quests or any conventional RPG plot points.
What really sets Relink apart is the little moments of connection sprinkled throughout the towns. You might stumble upon voiced interactions where seemingly unimportant NPCs engage you and Lyria in discussions about fishing, food, or other mundane topics that you’d typically chat about when visiting a new place. It’s not common for RPG towns to feel this alive, and while you may assume that these interactions are inconsequential, that assumption isn’t entirely accurate. These small emotional bonds I formed with the islands and their inhabitants unexpectedly added depth to the unfolding story.
The ability to stir emotions using traditional storytelling methods is what makes Granblue Fantasy Relink stand out. In a sea of games attempting to revive nostalgia or capture the magic of classic titles, Cygames takes a different route. Relink isn’t just about recreating past glories; it reminds players of why those experiences were so remarkable in the first place. And that, my friend, is what truly makes this game special.
