Overview
Granblue Fantasy: Relink launched on January 31, 2024, on PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam, bringing the beloved Granblue Fantasy universe into the action RPG space for the first time as a fully realized console experience. Developed and published by Cygames, the game carries the visual identity of the original mobile title while building something structurally different: a quest-driven action RPG centered on real-time combat, party management, and a story that stands on its own for newcomers.
The setup is familiar fantasy territory with a sky-island twist. You play as a skyfarer who discovers a letter from his father pointing toward a legendary island, and before he can even set out, a mysterious girl named Lyria crosses his path and sets the whole journey in motion. The world itself is one where floating islands dot a sea of clouds, gods have long since abandoned their creation, and the memory of a war against powerful beings called the Astrals still shapes how people live. It is not a story that reinvents the wheel, but it gives the world enough texture to make the adventure feel grounded.
Gameplay and mechanics: what does the combat actually feel like?
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is built around fast, character-specific combat that rewards learning individual movesets. Each character plays differently, whether you prefer slashing through enemies up close, casting hexes from range, or blasting with firearms. The core loop runs through a quest structure where you assemble a party of four and take on missions that scale in difficulty, with the endgame pushing into genuinely demanding territory for players who want a challenge.
Key features at a glance:
- Roster of distinct skyfarers, each with unique playstyles
- Solo play with AI companions or up to 4-player online co-op
- Quest-based progression with escalating difficulty
- Real-time action combat with skill and timing depth
- Available on PS4, PS5, and Steam
The solo experience holds up because the AI party members are competent enough to carry their weight, but the game clearly sings in co-op. Four players each controlling a different character, coordinating skills and timing attacks, is where the design intent becomes obvious.
Multiplayer and social: is co-op worth it?
Yes. The 4-player online co-op is the most compelling reason to stick with Granblue Fantasy: Relink past the main story. Quests are designed with group play in mind, particularly at higher difficulty tiers where enemy patterns demand more coordination than a single player managing three AI allies can comfortably handle. On PlayStation, PS Plus is required for online play, and the game supports up to four players per session.
Visual and audio design
The art direction lifts directly from the Granblue Fantasy mobile game's signature look: clean character designs with bold outlines, environments that lean into the floating-island aesthetic with bright skies and dramatic scale. On PS5, the DualSense controller adds haptic feedback and adaptive trigger effects that give the combat a physical dimension. The score supports the adventure tone without drawing too much attention to itself, which is the right call for a game where you are meant to be focused on what is happening on screen.
Conclusion
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a well-constructed action RPG that delivers on its core promise: fast combat, a diverse character roster, and a co-op experience worth playing through with friends. Priced at $39.99 on PlayStation with a 4.61 out of 5 rating from over 18,000 PlayStation Store reviews, it has clearly connected with its audience. Fans of the hack-and-slash and action RPG genres who want something with genuine mechanical depth and a distinct visual identity will find a lot to work through here.
