Software:Granblue Fantasy Versus

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Short description: 2020 video game
Granblue Fantasy Versus
Granblue Fantasy Versus logo.png
Developer(s)Arc System Works
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Tetsuya Fukuhara
Producer(s)Yuito Kimura
Designer(s)Kazuto Sekine
Programmer(s)Masashige Kazuhito
Artist(s)
  • Hideo Minaba
  • Hideaki Sawada
Writer(s)
  • Kyohei Terashima
  • Shingo Noguchi
  • Tetsuya Fukuhara
Composer(s)
  • Tsutomu Narita
  • Yasunori Nishiki
  • Hidenori Maezawa
  • Nao Tokisawa
  • Azusa Chiba
SeriesGranblue Fantasy
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 4
  • JP/AS: February 6, 2020
  • NA: March 3, 2020
  • EU: March 27, 2020
Windows
  • WW: March 13, 2020
Genre(s)Fighting, role-playing game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Granblue Fantasy Versus is a 2.5D fighting game developed by Arc System Works for the PlayStation 4. It is based on the role-playing video game Granblue Fantasy, and was released in Japan and Asia by Cygames and Sega, respectively on February 6, 2020, and in the west by Xseed Games and Marvelous Europe in March. A Windows version was released worldwide on March 13 in the same year. A sequel, Granblue Fantasy Versus, was released on December 14, 2023.

Gameplay

Granblue Fantasy Versus is mainly a fighting game where the goal is to eliminate the opponent by using a combination of attacks to empty their character's life bar enough times to win the match.[2][3][4] Each character has special abilities called "Skybound Arts",[5] which correspond to skills that the character is able to use in the main Granblue Fantasy game. In an attempt to make the game more accessible to new players, each Skybound Arts can be triggered with a simple button press, but the player will have to wait for a short cooldown period before they can use it again. However, if the player uses a more advanced combination of movement and button presses to launch the attack, the cooldown time on the skill will be shortened.

The game also contains a story mode called RPG Mode. Unlike the main game mode, RPG Mode is more of a side-scrolling, beat 'em up, action role-playing game, similar to Guilty Gear Judgment. The story mode includes exclusive bosses and minions to battle, setting weapon grids, and a co-op mode.[6]

Playable characters

Granblue Fantasy Versus has 12 initial playable characters. One character is unlockable through the main story, but is also available for purchase in Character Pass 1 for instant access, while another serves as an alternative random slot in free update patch. Following the game's launch, several additional playable characters were developed and added to the game via Character Passes. Purchasing the Character Pass also provides various bonuses to the main Granblue Fantasy game. In total, there are 25 characters.

Base Roster DLC
  • Gran
  • Katalina Aryze
  • Charlotta Fenia
  • Lancelot
  • Percival
  • Ferry
  • Lowain
  • Ladiva [note 1]
  • Metera
  • Zeta
  • Vaseraga
  • Beelzebub [note 2]
  • Lunalu [note 3]

Season 1 Pass

  • Narmaya
  • Soriz
  • Djeeta
  • Zooey

Season 2 Pass

Additional Set

  • Vira Lillie
  • Avatar Belial
  1. ↑ Known as Vastiva in Japanese version
  2. ↑ Unlockable Character. Either via downloadable content Season 1 Pass, or complete Episode 40 in RPG Mode
  3. ↑ Serves as an alternative Random slot via Free DLC update patch.
  4. ↑ Known as Unro in Japanese version
  5. ↑ Pronounced "Six". Spelled "Six" in Japanese version

Plot

In the RPG Mode, Granblue Fantasy Versus features a standalone storyline where players embark on a journey visiting the featured locales within the fighting game.[7] The player takes control of Gran and company to fight other notable characters within the Granblue Fantasy universe visiting various islands and uncovering the mysterious force surrounding the violence and chaos that ensues through quests.[8] Along with meeting the main cast of characters, the player is also introduced to their backstories and existing relationships with other characters.[7]

Development and release

Granblue Fantasy Versus was developed by Arc System Works, who have developed other titles such as Dragon Ball FighterZ and BlazBlue in 2018.[7] The creative director, Tetsuya Fukuhara, along with publisher Cygames, wanted to introduce the Western audiences to the Granblue Fantasy franchise.[7] Due to the already established fictional universe and fan base since its initial debut years ago as a role-playing video game, Fukuhara believed that throwing players into the on-going narratives would make it difficult for Western newcomers to be attracted to its universe.[7] Therefore, Fukuhara opted to make a fighting game for the franchise due to their confidence in the popularity of the fighting game genre with Western audiences.[7]

The game was developed with accessibility in mind, sharing a lot of the design philosophies surrounding their recently developed titles Dragon Ball FighterZ and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, with the implementation of mechanics that are to be easier to comprehend.[7] They opted for a more deliberate and simple combat design emphasizing shorter combos and one-button special moves via shortcuts, lowering the barrier of entry for newer players.[7][8] Tetsuya emphasized that while the fighting game would be considered more beginner-friendly, there would still be room for depth when it comes to competitive play, such as the activation of special moves with shortcuts having a short cooldown period and the player having to strategize around that mechanic unique to Granblue Fantasy Versus.[7] English voice acting was also included in this game.[9]

Granblue Fantasy Versus was initially released on the PlayStation 4 on February 6, 2020, in Asia.[10] Cygames published the game in Japan, while Sega released it in other territories.[11] In the following month, Xseed Games released the game in North America on March 3, and its sister company Marvelous Europe released the game in Europe in Australia on March 27.[12][13][8][14] The Windows version arrived on March 13,[14] but does not support cross-platform play with PlayStation 4.[14] In-game rewards, in the form of codes, for the Granblue Fantasy mobile game were not made available for the Windows port of Granblue Fantasy Versus.[14]

The game's director Tetsuya Fukuhara expressed a desire for a sequel to be produced. Speculation was uncertain on whether Versus will get a PlayStation 5 upgrade with minor updates, a more direct sequel to be made and released on PS5, or if sequel/upgrade plans will fall through entirely.[15] In 2023, the sequel which also adds a PlayStation 5 version, known as Granblue Fantasy Versus was announced and expected to be released around the same year.[16]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticPS4: 78/100[17]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7.5/10[18]
Famitsu34/40[19]
Game Informer7.75/10[20]
GameSpot7/10[21]
Hardcore Gamer4.5/5 stars[22]
IGN8/10[23]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic. IGN gave the game an 8 out of 10 calling it another excellent addition to the Arc System Works family. Game Informer gave Granblue Fantasy Versus a 7.75 out of 10, praising for its innovate design in breaking down the barrier of entry for newcomers and putting on a different take with the narrative-driven gameplay of RPG mode, into a fighting game.[8]

Awards

Granblue Fantasy Versus was nominated for the category of Best Fighting at The Game Awards 2020,[24] as well as "Fighting Game of the Year" at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards,[25] but lost both awards to Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate.

Sales

According to Famitsu, the PlayStation 4 version of Granblue Fantasy Versus was the bestselling retail game during its launch week in Japan, with 86,248 physical copies being sold.[26] The game also debuted at #2 in Taiwan and #4 in South Korea according to Media Create.[27] In its first week debut in Japan , Granblue Fantasy Versus nearly topped the sales charts of its genre, in comparison to other major releases of fighting games within recent years.[14] By November 2020, the game had sold over 450,000 copies worldwide.[28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The 'Granblue Fantasy' Series Has Some Interesting New Games On The Way". https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2018/12/16/the-granblue-fantasy-series-has-some-interesting-new-games-on-the-way/. 
  2. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy: Versus | Cygames" (in ja). https://versus.granbluefantasy.jp/?lang=en. 
  3. ↑ Romano, Sal (15 December 2018), Arc System Works-developed Granblue Fantasy Versus announced for PS4, https://gematsu.com/2018/12/arc-system-works-developed-granblue-fantasy-versus-announced-for-ps4, retrieved December 15, 2018 
  4. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy Versus for PS4 by Arc System Works Announced". 2018-12-15. https://twinfinite.net/2018/12/granblue-fantasy-versus-announced/. 
  5. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy: Versus | Cygames". https://versus.granbluefantasy.jp/?lang=en. 
  6. ↑ Hills, Dakota 'DarkHorse' (July 20, 2019). "Granblue Fantasy Versus will reportedly receive a ton of new information at Granblue Extra Fes 2019 on August 3". https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/jul/20/granblue-fantasy-versus-will-reportedly-receive-ton-new-information-granblue-extra-fes-2019-august-3/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 "Granblue Fantasy Versus Is Built To Be Appeal To Western Audiences" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/granblue-fantasy-versus-is-built-to-be-appeal-to-w/1100-6468270/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Wallace, Kimberley. "Granblue Fantasy: Versus Review – Beauty In Simplicity" (in en). Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/granblue-fantasy-versus/granblue-fantasy-versus-review-beauty-in-simplicity. Retrieved 2021-01-26. 
  9. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy Versus". https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Granblue-Fantasy-Versus/. 
  10. ↑ Romano, Sal (13 September 2019), Granblue Fantasy: Versus adds Zeta and Vaseraga + Release Date, https://gematsu.com/2019/10/granblue-fantasy-versus-adds-zeta-vaseraga-japanese-box-art, retrieved October 14, 2019 
  11. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy: Versus（GBVS） | Cygames". https://asia.sega.com/versus.granbluefantasy/. 
  12. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy: Versus published by XSEED Games in North America". June 7, 2019. https://gematsu.com/2019/06/granblue-fantasy-versus-published-by-xseed-games-in-north-america. 
  13. ↑ XSEED Games [@XSEEDGames] (January 31, 2020). "With the winds of the Sky Realm at our heels and 11 launch fighters waiting with baited [sic] breath, #GranblueFantasy: Versus will soon soar onto the fighting game stage worldwide! ⚔️💥Please welcome #GBVS to North America on 3.03.2020!⚔️💥 Preorder today: t.co/6j7RqW5c7K t.co/pNBPsQTmpX" (in en). https://twitter.com/XSEEDGames/status/1223313625156411392. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 "Granblue Fantasy Versus has been confirmed for a PC release in March" (in en). February 27, 2020. https://www.shacknews.com/article/116567/granblue-fantasy-versus-has-been-confirmed-for-a-pc-release-in-march. 
  15. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy: Versus Director Says a Possible Sequel Might Launch on Both PS5 and PS4". https://gamingbolt.com/granblue-fantasy-versus-director-says-a-possible-sequel-might-launch-on-both-ps5-and-ps4. 
  16. ↑ "GRANBLUE FANTASY VERSUS: RISING｜Cygames" (in ja). https://rising.granbluefantasy.jp/. 
  17. ↑ "Granblue Fantasy: Versus for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/granblue-fantasy-versus/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  18. ↑ Carter, Chris (March 2, 2020). "Granblue Fantasy Versus Review". https://www.destructoid.com/review-granblue-fantasy-versus-581157.phtml. 
  19. ↑ Romano, Sal (January 29, 2020). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1626". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/01/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1626. 
  20. ↑ Wallace, Kimberley (March 16, 2020). "Granblue Fantasy: Versus Review – Beauty In Simplicity". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/granblue-fantasy-versus/granblue-fantasy-versus-review-beauty-in-simplicity. Retrieved January 26, 2021. 
  21. ↑ Hussain, Tamoor (March 2, 2019). "Gamespot Granblue Fantasy Versus Review". Gamespot. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/granblue-fantasy-versus-review-fighting-fantasy/1900-6417420/. 
  22. ↑ Swalley, Kirstin (September 26, 2019). "Review:Granblue Fantasy Versus". https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/03/02/review-granblue-fantasy-versus/368651/. 
  23. ↑ "IGN Granblue Fantasy Versus Review". February 11, 2020. https://www.ign.com/articles/granblue-fantasy-versus-review. 
  24. ↑ Tassi, Paul (December 11, 2020). "Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/12/11/heres-the-game-awards-2020-winner-list-with-a-near-total-last-of-us-sweep/. 
  25. ↑ "2021 Awards Category Details Fighting Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2021&idGameAwardType=62. 
  26. ↑ "Famitsu Sales: 2/3/20 – 2/9/20 [Update"] (in en-US). 2020-02-12. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/02/famitsu-sales-2-3-20-2-9-20. 
  27. ↑ 巴哈姆特. "MediaCreate 2 月 3 日～2 月 9 日一週銷售排行榜 《碧藍幻想 Versus》奪日台雙冠". https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=192816. 
  28. ↑ Romano, Sal (2020-11-20). "Granblue Fantasy: Versus shipments and digital sales top 450,000". https://www.gematsu.com/2020/11/granblue-fantasy-versus-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-450000. 

External links



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