Skies Over January 31, 2024
Granblue Fantasy: Relink launched on January 31, 2024—the very same week Steam’s Winter Next Fest flooded PC players with hundreds of demos, while Nintendo quietly refreshed its My Nintendo rewards. This created an unusual launch window. On one side, indie hopefuls competed for festival attention; on the other, Cygames and PlatinumGames fired their big-budget JRPG cannon. In short, the stage was crowded.
Soaring Into the Sky Realm
From the start, Relink pulls you into a world of floating isles, primal beasts, and a Big Bad with umbrella-sized ambitions. You captain a mixed crew led by Vyrn, your grumpy dragon sidekick, and Lyria, the mysterious girl tied to every plot twist. As you progress, you gather up to four skyfarers—kings, misfits, swordmasters, and mages. Together, you set course for Estalucia, the fabled horizon island. Conversations often circle back to one recurring debate: who exactly should steer the airship?
Tactical Airship Combat
At its core, Relink thrives on real-time party battles. Each character fights with a distinct weapon style, from heavy hammer swings to quick lightning spells. Moreover, cooperative mechanics like Link Attacks and Chain Bursts transform skirmishes into choreographed routines.
For solo players, Assist Modes smooth out the challenge. In fact, Full Assist even lets the AI pick your loot. Conversely, veterans can savor tactical swaps in four-player online co-op. Meanwhile, quests hand out gear, Fate Episodes reveal character backstories, and enemy formations become miniature puzzles—at least until you button-mash your way out of them.
A Feast for the Senses
- Visuals: Relink’s cel-shaded character models shine against painterly skyboxes. Think JRPG postcard mixed with PlatinumGames’ anime flair. Although frame rates dip in busy arenas, most skydomes remain breathtaking.
- Audio: A sweeping orchestral score lifts every scene. Character voice work in both Japanese and English adds charm, while battle jingles stick in your head. Calm town themes soothe, and epic boss-fight strings could energize a workout playlist.
Community Speaks (Very Positive, 89%)
At launch, Relink boasts an 89% “Very Positive” rating on Steam—identical scores for recent (276 reviews) and all-time (36,182 reviews). Players rave about:
- Dynamic, combo-heavy combat that never feels copy-pasted.
- Co-op synergy—nothing bonds strangers like chaining a finisher together.
- Rich lore and unlockable Fate Episodes that flesh out even the bit players.
However, some common complaints appear. To begin with, pacing suffers when sidequests loop too often. In addition, UI clutter sometimes frustrates gear management across four characters. Finally, performance stutters arise in large skydoms.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Granblue Fantasy: Relink does not reinvent the JRPG wheel. Instead, it polishes the formula with Platinum-level shine. Because of its cooperative flair and storybook atmosphere, you will likely stay hooked long after the first boss falls.
At present, there is no official 10-point scorecard, yet the “Very Positive” consensus speaks volumes. If you have ever dreamed of liberating floating islands with friends, this is your cockpit. Just remember: in sky piracy, local lag is your biggest enemy.
