Let’s be real for a second. Fighting games are terrifying. Most people look at a screen full of flashing gauges, frame data charts, and 360-degree joystick rotations and decide they’d rather just go play another round of Stardew Valley. But Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising (GBVSR) does something weirdly brave. It assumes you aren't a robot with a PhD in execution. It treats you like a human being who wants to press buttons and see cool stuff happen, without sacrificing the depth that makes the genre addictive in the first place.
Cygames and Arc System Works basically looked at the original 2020 release and realized it wasn't enough. They didn't just patch it; they rebuilt the foundation.
What actually changed in Rising?
The first thing you’ll notice if you played the original Versus is that the game feels faster. It’s snappier. You aren't just poking at each other in the neutral game until someone gets bored. They added Dash Attacks, which sound simple but completely change how you approach an opponent. You can now press a button while sprinting to keep the pressure on. It’s aggressive. It’s sweaty. It’s exactly what the game needed to move away from its slightly "stiff" reputation.
Then there’s the whole "Simple Inputs" controversy.
Look, some purists hate this. In Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, you can perform any special move with a single button and a directional input. No more tearing your skin off trying to do a "DP" motion (forward, down, down-forward) while a 7-foot tall wrestler is jumping at your head. The kicker? In Rising, there is no longer a damage penalty for using these simple inputs. You get the same power as the guy doing the complex motion. Arc System Works essentially signaled that the "skill" in fighting games should be about timing, spacing, and strategy—not whether your thumb has a callous on it.
The Roster and the Weirdos
You can’t talk about this game without mentioning the characters. We’ve got the staples like Gran and Djeeta, who are your "shoto" archetypes—basically the Ryu and Ken of this universe. They’re honest. They’re reliable. They’re a bit boring if you like chaos.
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But then you have the newcomers in Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising who really push the envelope. Take Nier, for example. She’s a puppet character who fights alongside a terrifying spectral entity named Death. Managing her "Love's Redemption" stacks is like playing a high-stakes resource management game in the middle of a fistfight. If you run out of stacks, you’re vulnerable. If you manage them well, you can put your opponent in a blender of attacks they can't escape. It's punishing but deeply rewarding.
And then there’s Siegfried. Honestly, the man is a tank. He uses his own health as a resource to buff his attacks. It’s a classic "big sword" archetype but with a layer of risk that keeps every match feeling like a gamble. The roster variety is where the game truly shines, especially with the addition of characters like 2B from NieR: Automata as DLC. Yes, she’s here, and yes, she feels exactly like she does in her own game, complete with pod programs and that signature floaty movement.
The "Grand Bruise" Factor
I need to mention the Fall Guys clone. No, seriously.
Inside Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, there is a massive multiplayer mode called "Grand Bruise Legends!" It’s a series of survival minigames where 30 players compete in obstacle courses and gold-collecting brawls. Is it a masterclass in game design? Not really. Is it a hilarious break after you’ve lost five ranked matches in a row to a Belial player? Absolutely. It’s a smart inclusion because it gives the game a "party" vibe that most fighters lack. It makes the lobby feel like a living space rather than just a menu.
Why Rollback Netcode matters more than you think
We spent years begging for this. The original game died a slow death in the West because it used delay-based netcode. If your internet wasn't perfect, the game felt like playing through molasses. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising launched with Rollback Netcode and Crossplay. This is the "holy grail" for fighting games. You can play someone halfway across the country, and as long as the connection is decent, it feels like they’re sitting on the couch next to you.
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This single technical change saved the franchise. It allowed a global community to actually form. You can jump into a lobby at 3 AM on a Tuesday and find matches. That’s the lifeblood of any competitive game.
The Economy of Rising: Free-to-Play?
Cygames did something interesting with the pricing model. There is a "Free Edition" of Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising. It’s not just a demo. You get access to four characters (Gran is permanent, the other three rotate), part of the story mode, and full access to Grand Bruise and online play.
This is arguably the best onboarding tool in the genre. You don't have to drop $50 to see if you like the "feel" of the game. You can just download it, play some ranked, realize you love the way Cagliostro plays, and then decide to buy the full version. It lowers the barrier to entry significantly. Honestly, more fighting games should copy this.
Addressing the Misconceptions
People often call this a "baby’s first fighting game." That’s a massive oversimplification. Just because the inputs are easy doesn't mean the game is easy.
The introduction of the "Bravery Point" (BP) system adds a layer of tactical resource management that is actually quite stressful. You start with three points. You use them for "Raging Strikes" (unblockable-ish attacks) or "Brave Counters" (getting someone off you). If you lose all your BP, you take 50% more damage. One mistake with your resources and your health bar disappears in five seconds. That’s not "baby" mechanics—that’s high-level decision making.
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The Visuals: ArcSys at its Peak
It’s easy to take for granted how good this game looks. Arc System Works is the gold standard for 2.5D animation. They use 3D models but manipulate the lighting and frame-by-frame animation to make it look like a high-budget anime. In Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, the cinematic finishers are breathtaking. When Lucilius drops a literal planet on you during his Skybound Art, you don't even mind losing that much because it looks so cool.
Is it worth your time in 2026?
The fighting game landscape is crowded. Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 are giants. But Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising occupies a specific niche. It’s the "chill" fighter. It’s the one you play when you want to focus on the "mind games" rather than the "hand gymnastics."
The story mode is also surprisingly meaty. It’s a side-scrolling beat-'em-up that acts as a sequel to the first game’s plot. If you’re a fan of the original mobile game or the anime, the fanservice here is top-tier. Even if you don't care about the lore, the boss fights are genuinely creative and offer a break from the standard 1v1 grind.
Steps to get started the right way
Don't just jump into Ranked and get slaughtered.
- Download the Free Edition. There is zero reason to pay upfront. Test the netcode on your specific setup.
- Go to Training Mode and turn on the "Frame Meter." Even if you don't understand it yet, seeing the colors (blue for advantage, red for disadvantage) will subconsciously teach you when it's "your turn" to attack.
- Learn your "Auto-Compos." In this game, pressing the same button three times gives you a basic combo. Learn which special moves you can tack onto the end of that.
- Use your Raging Strike. In lower ranks, people forget this exists. It costs one Bravery Point but crushes guards. It’s your best tool for opening up defensive players.
- Join the Discord. The Granblue community is notoriously helpful because they want the player base to grow. If you're struggling against a specific character, someone there has a "cheat sheet" for you.
Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising isn't trying to be the most complex game in the world. It’s trying to be the most fun. By stripping away the mechanical fluff and focusing on the core "rock-paper-scissors" of fighting games, it creates an environment where a newcomer can actually stand a chance against a veteran if they're smarter, even if their hands are slower. That’s a rare achievement in this genre.
Ultimately, the game's success comes down to respect. It respects the player's time, it respects their desire for a smooth online experience, and it respects the source material. Whether you're a Granblue fanatic or someone who just likes pretty sprites, there's a seat at the table for you here.