2024 has been host to a number of absolutely stellar RPGs, from the incredibly immersiveDragon’s Dogma 2and story-heavyFinal Fantasy 7: Rebirthto the wonderfully bombasticGranblue Fantasy: RelinkandStellar Blade. For the most part, these incredible games have gotten the attention they deserve, with each of their incredible sales proving categorically that the RPG and JRPG genres are still very much alive. However, while most of them have gone on to become fan favorites and even GOTY contenders, one of the best RPGs of the year has gone completely overlooked, and frankly, this is a travesty.
Naturally, I’m not expecting every single one of thebest JRPGs of 2024to be intensely played by everyone, nor am I expecting that my favorites will be everyone else’s. After all, that would mean everyone in the world would unanimously loveXenoblade Chronicles 2, and, as much as it pains my heart, I know that will never happen. However,for this specific RPG to go overlooked is a little baffling as it offers some of the most satisfying combat, great characters, beautifully shot cutscenes, and a unique art style that’s a treat for the eyes.
Why Has Everyone Completely Forgotten Granblue Fantasy: Relink?
It Feels Like It Came And Went As Quickly As The Grandcypher
I remember first seeing gameplay forGranblue Fantasy: Relinkall the way back during 2016’s TGSand being absolutely blown away. That initial announcement which promised a brand-new RPG set in theGranblue Fantasyuniverse as a joint effort between Cygames and PlatinumGames - those awesome folks behind theBayonettaseries - was enough to get any JRPG fan giddy. Even those who didn’t have an appreciation for theGranblue FantasyIP like me could still admire the gorgeous visuals and thrilling combat.
Then we continued to get trailer after trailer, showcasing just how much the game was changing and improving, with better character models, more fluid combat, grand story moments, and so much more. It was hard not to be excited, honestly. Of course, it was confirmed in 2019 that PlatinumGames was leaving the project, which was certainly a blow, and the game was delayed until 2022, then 2023, and finally released in 2024.It’s fair to sayGranblue Fantasy: Relinkhas been a very long time coming, although the wait was absolutely worth it.
Because,when I finally got my copy ofGranblue Fantasy: Relinkin the mail after readingits countless glowing reviews, it felt like a dream come true. Popping it into my PS5, listening to the gorgeous menu theme as it installed - more games need music on the homepage likeGranblue Fantasy: Relink- and then finally being thrust headfirst into this wonderful world felt amazing. And here’s the thing, I absolutely was not alone, as not only didGranblue Fantasy: Relinkget 80 onMetacritic, but it also sits on a healthy 9/10 onSteam, with everyone thoroughly enjoying it.
When I finally got my copy ofGranblue Fantasy: Relinkin the mail after reading its countless glowing reviews, it felt like a dream come true.
So, what went wrong? How come everyone just decided to stop talking about it like it had suddenly ceased to exist? Well,Final Fantasy 7: Rebirthprobably had something to do with it, especially considering it was released just a month later. Oh, andLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthhad dropped just a few days before and the long-anticipatedPersona 3remake was released literally a day later. That’s not even mentioningDragon’s Dogma 2andUnicorn Overlord, both of which were released just shy of two months later.Granblue Fantasy: Relinkdidn’t stand a chance.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink Has The Best RPG Combat Of The Year
It’s Way Better Than It Needs To Be
Of course, a video game having competition isn’t anything new; just look at theHorizonseries, which has so far been constantly trumped by industry-changing titles. However,Granblue Fantasy: Relinkwas uniquely positioned in that it was both a change in genre for the series - as priorGranblue Fantasygames had either been mobile entries or fighting games - and was part of an IP that, while extremely popular, wasn’t as well-known in the West. As a result,it’s not particularly surprising thatGranblue Fantasy: Relinkhas sort of faded into obscurity.
However, this is where I take serious umbrage, as not only isGranblue Fantasy: Relinkone of the best RPGs of the year, butits gameplay is so ridiculously satisfying and so unnecessarily good, that those who haven’t tried it yet are seriously missing out.Granblue Fantasy: Relinkhas over 20 playable characters, each with completely distinct fighting styles - that’s the fighting game influence shining through - that players can unlock without spending any real-life money, but rather through completing the engrossing main and side content.
Not only isGranblue Fantasy: Relinkone of the best RPGs of the year, but its gameplay is so ridiculously satisfying and so unnecessarily good, that those who haven’t tried it yet are seriously missing out.
Each mission is surprisingly brief, although it usually ends in a climactic, almostMonster Hunter-esque boss fight, which has multiple stages, powerful team wiping attacks, and unique movesets that make each of them stand out. Combat, especially during boss fights, is really the highlight, as players will need to not only pick the best team for the job but also master their chosen character’s fighting style. I played a lot as Zeta, who could chain an endless loop of attacks that brought her out of harm’s way so long as I timed each blow.
However, even though I thoroughly enjoyed playing as Zeta, I always felt encouraged to try other characters, such as Ferry, whose attacks grant her spirits that she can then use to deliver powerful blows, or Narmaya, who needs to build up butterflies by landing combos to increase her attacks' damage. Once players get through the emotional story - which has some of the best cutscenes in all of JRPG history - they’re treated to an impressive endgame filled to the brim with exciting missions to grind.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink May Deserve GOTY
It’s Certainly The Best JRPG Of The Year
All of this - and so, so much more - culminates to makeGranblue Fantasy: Relinkan easy GOTY contender for 2024. I mean, I haven’t even mentioned thatGranblue Fantasy: Relinkhas multiplayer, a component that serves to make its already riveting combat infinitely better. I think that’s what makes it so bizarre that it’s gone so severely underlooked, as, while I appreciate its anime sensibilities, means it’s not for everyone,Relink’s litany of impressive mechanics feels as if they should be the gold standard future action RPGs are held to.
21 Years Later, My Favorite JRPG Still Hasn’t Gotten The Remaster It Deserves
A JRPG that does everything right deserves a remaster that keeps its excellence intact, but the odds of that happening don’t look very good.
But then, that is largely how this industry works now, withgames coming out so frequently that it’s hard to remember them all, or even keep the best in constant discussion. Sure, the occasional masterpiece will be talked about to death - will we ever stop talking aboutBaldur’s Gate 3? - but even the bigger JRPGs of the year likeRebirthhave been pushed aside a little. Fortunately,Granblue Fantasy: Relinkisn’t going anywhere, fans will still be able to play it for years to come, and hopefully they’ll all have just as good a time as I did.
However, I wonder if maybe it’s time we all slowed down a little, stopped trying to consume every indie and every triple-A title like they’re Skittles, and instead took our time. Maybe this is just a me problem, butI’m worried that the more the gaming industry pumps out, and the more we all demand developers rush out their next big game, the more we move on too soon from the games we actually enjoyed. I spent a good while after beatingRelinkjust thinking about it, giving myself the space to remember my time with it, which is why I’m able to return months later and try and sell it to everyone else.
10 Must-Play JRPGs To Try If You Love Open-World Games
For the open-world enthusiast hoping to dip their toes in the deep JRPG well, there are a handful of amazing worlds waiting to be explored.
Ultimately, video games are a personal experience, and maybeRelinkjust hit me harder than it did everyone else. However, for those who have maybe been aware ofRelink, or are looking for that next JRPG fix, it’s absolutely worth checking out.Granblue Fantasy: Relinkis a 9/10 for a reason, and the fact that it has been so swiftly pushed aside is a little disappointing.
