Overview
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a 2.5D high-fantasy fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published digitally by Cygames for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC in Japan on December 14, 2023.
A sequel to the 2020 game Granblue Fantasy: Versus, Rising revamps the original's game mechanics and online features while adding new characters and stages. Along with a traditional release, the game has an alternate free-to-play version that limits the character selection (with a rotating cast of playable characters) and game modes.
The game's online multiplayer includes cross-platform multiplayer, rollback netcode, and and updated rankings (which are now unique to each character, rather than the account). Additionally, players can now play one of several multiplayer mini-games using their super-deformed lobby avatars (known as the "Grand Bruise").
Gameplay
Most of the core gameplay from the original Granblue Fantasy: Versus remains unchanged, with some differences and additions:
- All M+H abilities have been replaced, with Overhead Attacks, Backshift, Rush, and Overdrive removed. In its place are Brave Counters, Raging Strikes, and Raging Chains, all of which make use of a new system known as Bravery Points.
- The game's Auto Combo is now known as either the Double Attack (during the second strike) and the Triple Attack (during the third strike), the latter of which can be adjusted with either a crouching attack (forward + M) or an overhead attack (forward + H).
- Players can now perform special Dash Attacks when performing a forward normal attack during a dash, with each attack strength having different properties.
- Using the Unique Action button during a Skill, whether combined with the Skill button or on its own with the technical motion, can consume 50% of the SBA Gauge to perform a more-powerful version known as the Ultimate Skill. Landing this attack does a slowdown effect, and landing one outside of a combo partially refills the gauge.
- Skills performed using the simplified system (with the Skill shortcut button) no longer have any penalties when compared to when they are performed using the technical system (with command motions).
Bravery Points
Each player now has a new meter known as Bravery Points, which can be consumed one-at-a-time to perform two special abilities:
- Raging Strikes, performed by pressing M+H on its own, is a powerful strike that stuns opponents who are guarding. Pressing M+H after landing the strike consumes 25% of the SBA Gauge to perform a Raging Chain, follow-up strike that can be chained into combos.
Both players start each round with three Bravery Points, and depletes each Point by using one of the above abilities, by getting guard crushed by the opponent's Raging Strike, and by taking damage by a Skybound Art. It can only be replenished by performing a Skybound Art. Players with low amount of Points take additional damage from their opponent's attacks.
Grand Bruise
A series of mini-games featuring chibi-fied characters from Granblue, separate from the main fighting game.
Characters
All 24 characters from the previous game return and are playable from the start, with 4 new characters added. Additional characters will be added as DLC.
New Additions
Returning Characters
Character Pass 1
- Lucilius - Will be released on January 2024.
- 2B - Will be released on February 2024.
- Vane - Will be released on April 2024.
- Beatrix - Will be released on May 2024.
- ??? - Will be released on August 2024.
- ??? - Will be released on October 2024.
Releases
Free Edition
- 4 characters will be playable in this edition: Gran and three others that will rotate with each update.
- Part 1 of the RPG story mode will be playable.
- Online modes and player lobbies will be accessible regardless of which version any player has. However, Free players will be unable to host or join Room Matches.
- Some features restricted.
Standard Edition
Base game at $49.99 MSRP
Deluxe Edition
Available at $74.99 MSRP.
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