Opening Thoughts
Announced back in 2016, 《Granblue Fantasy:Relink》 did not have the smoothest road to release. Games with long, bumpy development cycles often stumble at launch, so I kept my expectations in check. What I got was genuinely better than I expected, and notably stronger than the demo. You can feel Cygames bringing some mobile game sensibilities to a console action RPG in a way that actually works, and maybe even sets a direction for others to follow.
*This review is based on the PS5 version.
Fans Welcome, Newcomers Too
On the surface this looks like a fan-service title, but the barrier to entry is low. Even if you know nothing about the original story, you can jump in without getting lost. That said, if you have played the mainline game, watched the anime, or touched the fighting game GBVS, Relink hits a different nerve. The 3D character models, flashy move sets, and combat effects feel like a mini pilgrimage for fans.
A Story That Knows Its Role
Relink runs on an original story that takes a bit over ten hours to clear. It doubles as a guided tour of the combat and quest systems, and you will likely end up with your main character around level 50 (max level is 100). I will not spoil the plot here, but the narrative is serviceable rather than standout. The script is not the star; the set pieces and boss fights are. The game chases momentum and spectacle, and it nails that goal.
Streamlined RPG DNA
The reason I call this a fresh take is how Relink tweaks traditional RPG structure. The main story skips giant dungeons and mini-maps in favor of compact, handcrafted zones. They are simple without feeling shallow, and even without a map they are not just straight corridors. Encounters with trash mobs are kept intentionally low. Each chapter runs about an hour, and the balance between combat, exploration, bosses, and cutscenes feels tight and deliberate rather than bloated.
If you are looking for open-world wandering, it is not here. The two towns mostly function as hubs to meet NPCs and pick up side quests, very similar to Monster Hunter. To keep the main story fast and clean, Cygames separates the grindy parts and funnels them into the quest counter. You grab a quest, launch instantly, fight, and auto-return to town when done. Story locations are reused as quest maps, which keeps the pace brisk.
The Real Game Starts After Credits
Finishing the story is really the starting line. Postgame revolves around farming quests to level up, strengthen characters, and collect more character unlock tickets (you get a few during the story as well). Difficulty ramps up, and some late story content, including the true ending, is tied to the grind. Many quests wrap up in minutes, and with three NPC allies plus auto-battle, the loop stays light and easygoing.
Once you step into MANIAC difficulty, auto-battle is disabled. With limited upgrade resources, your overall power can feel tight, so I recommend funneling most resources into your favorite character first. That is also the moment to jump into co-op. Grinding with real people is where this game shines.
Combat Depth and Longevity
If you tried the demo, you already know the combat has layers. Every character has a deep move list worth exploring. Skilled action players can pull off dazzling combos and damage bursts. Between equipment and various “factors” (think skill gems), each character can be tuned toward different builds. There are over 20 playable characters at launch, and updates are set to add more characters and bosses. The postgame has more than enough to keep you busy for hundreds of hours.
Fate Episodes: Nice, But Thin
Outside the main story, each character has 11 “Fate Episodes.” Most of them play out as visual novel scenes, with only a few key chapters offering real combat. They do reveal backstory and give small stat boosts, so fans will appreciate them, but they are not a highlight.
The Little QoL Wins
Relink is full of small quality-of-life touches. You can warp directly to a quest NPC, skip the results screen, and even get a text summary when you skip story scenes. These details keep things flowing instead of wasting time on runs and filler fights. I know some people still prefer traditional RPG pacing, but for me, a faster era calls for more player-friendly choices. Even giving the protagonist full voice acting makes the experience stronger, not weaker, though tastes will always vary.
Verdict: 9/10
《碧蓝幻想:Relink》 splits cleanly into two parts. The ten-hour story is a roller coaster of fights and spectacle, with a pace that rarely drags. The postgame grind delivers dozens, even hundreds, of hours of tinkering with builds and co-op fun. Even if you are new to the franchise, there is a lot to like here. If you are a longtime fan, it is exactly the kind of payoff you have been waiting for.