{"id":183267,"date":"2023-08-08T17:26:16","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T09:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d27fq2mgp64qlg.cloudfront.net\/en\/?p=183267"},"modified":"2023-08-08T17:29:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T09:29:15","slug":"granblue-fantasy-versus-rising-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d27fq2mgp64qlg.cloudfront.net\/en\/post\/183267\/granblue-fantasy-versus-rising-2","title":{"rendered":"Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising\u00a01st Online Beta Test Impressions – Minor Enhancements for a Stellar Fighting Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Players familiar with Granblue Fantasy<\/a><\/strong> will likely think of its mobile JRPG, which is still wildly popular despite being almost 10 years old. Expanding into other platforms, Cygames collaborated with Arc System Works to branch into the fighting game genre with Granblue Fantasy Versus. Praised for its gameplay mechanics and simple controls, the game allowed newcomers to the genre to join the ring right from the beginning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising takes a step further by building on Versus\u2019s foundation, improving character attack combos, streamlining gameplay flow with crossplay, and adding useful Dash Attacks to a player\u2019s strategic arsenal! The game\u2019s online beta featured all the characters introduced in Versus, yet also allowed players to try out one of the promised additions to the roster with Siegfried. Check out this hands-on article which digs into Rising\u2019s combat potential, and its improvements that set high expectations for this sequel once it debuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u258d<\/strong><\/span>A Sequel that Flavours Newcomers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the majority of content featured in Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising comes from its prequel, it’s not necessary for newcomers to complete GBF Versus. Most of Versus\u2019s characters are locked behind DLC but are free to play in its sequel. Combat is also similar, but mechanics that can significantly impact inflicted damage like Overdrive and Rush are removed in Rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the beta test did not allow players to try out the game\u2019s story mode so any changes made in its plot cannot be verified at this time. Based on the available information surrounding Rising, there isn\u2019t much that the prequel offers to players uninterested in the mobile version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u258d<\/strong><\/span>Street Fighter-esque Combat Focusing on Skill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising carries over most of its prequel\u2019s mechanics, with a simple 3-hit combo, character skills, and a powerful Skybound Art as a finisher by filling the character\u2019s Skybound Gauge. Character Skills are powerful for requiring only a few inputs to execute, as they can buff the character\u2019s abilities, counter attacks, or even close the gap between the player and an unsuspecting opponent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At first glance, these simple inputs can be disappointing to players used to more technical fighters that rely on complex inputs to defeat opponents. Combat in Rising lies on the mundane side in most cases, which stands out from other Arc System fighters such as Blazblue and Dragon Ball FigherZ. On closer inspection, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and by extension, Rising takes cues from the Street Fighter series as trapping your opponent at the wall is the best strategy in a fight. Notably, the limited number of launches makes it difficult to juggle the opponent throughout the match without empowering your character\u2019s skills with the light, medium, or heavy buttons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While empowering a skill will enhance its power or change the skill\u2019s properties, it also places the skill under a cooldown and prevents the player from using it again until it’s resolved! To make matters worse, the opponent can also see the cooldown on their screen and change their strategy with the new information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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