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Soaring Quality for Soaring Prices
That this game exists at all is proof that the people who made it love it dearly.
As a sequel to a delay-based netcode fighter released days before Covid killed the planet, I can't imagine "return on investment" was the primary motivator to put out version 2.0. Plus you get oodles of new art, mechanics, visual updates, a whole new game mode and 4 characters (one of which sparking some playful creativity from players with the move list and name of Terry Bogard.)
Love is far from absent in the Sky Realms, but despite its abundance, it doesn't come cheap.
That Price Tag
Let's get this Con out of the way. If you owned the first game, you're paying full price to make it playable online with the aforementioned oodles. As a newcomer, even if you can justify the buy in, another $50 for a character DLC pack might Jewel Resort Screwdriver your patience through a stage transition.
While the free version is there to try, the rotating cast and lack of micro transaction options means at some point, you'll either need to launch your EVO career as a Gran main or scrounge up fifty-ish regionally unmodified US dollars to venture into the skies.
What Gets Me Rising
- Gorgeous art, animation and soundtrack.
- Huge, mechanically distinct and charismatic roster.
- Quick to pick up. Plenty to master.
- Love the little touches like super outros, stage transitions and dioramas.
- Grand Bruise is a fun destressor after matches.
What's Got Me Whinging?
- Long wait times, even in full lobbies.
- Weak single player offerings. Story mode too easy.
- Your free friends can't join your room. Limited to lobbies with set match criteria.
- Can't de-rank from your initial selection. If you choose to dive off the tallest tower, you'll be left to flounder until you learn to fly.
Recommend To:
- The new fighting game player who is already picking out their homestead in the online lobby.
- The veteran fighting game player with slow hands but a quick mind.
- The Granblue Fantasy Versus player with deep pockets.
- The horny pick player. You are spoiled for choice.
But You May Instead Prefer:
Street Fighter 6: Another game designed with the neophyte in mind, but with a far superior onboarding package and single player offering via World Tour. Will likely outlive Granblue due to its popularity and pedigree, making it a preferable choice for anyone uncomfortable with using Discord in lieu of in game matchmaking.
Guilty Gear Strive: If you find Granblue too slow and stilted (or, you know, too expensive), this is an excellent parallel graphically, audiably and stylishly. You lose Titty Bogard but you do get Aggret-Elphelt. You will also never get "Disaster of Passion" out of your brain, nor will you ever wish to.
This is largely what I wanted Granblue Fantasy Versus to be in 2020 and it saddens me that many will be priced out of sharing the experience with me. Cygames sales on Steam come few and far between generally, so if that price tag is the barrier blocking you from starting your fighting game journey, keep an eye on my alternatives for their next sale.

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