Cygames has officially announcedGranblue Fantasy: Versus Rising, sequel to its hit fighting gameGranblue Fantasy: Versusreleased in 2020. WhileGranblue Fantasy: Versus Risingisn’t a full sequel, rather an iterative version of the first game, Cygames is improving and expanding the new title in hugely significant ways. The biggest addition being the highly-requested addition of both cross-platform play and rollback netcode.
The lack of rollback netcode inGranblue Fantasy: Versushas been a long-running meme within the game’s community. During EVO 2022, several games revealed or released rollback netcode,includingDragon Ball FighterZ,Samurai Showdown, andPersona 4 Arena Ultimax. Yet whenGranblue Fantasy: Versus' presentation came up and an online tournament was revealed with no plans for rollback netcode, the community was distraught, to say the least.
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It turns out that Cygames wasn’t ignoring the community’srequest for rollback netcode, though. Rather, it was working on the feature for its upcoming sequelGranblue Fantasy: Versus Rising. While the original version of the game will be left behind,Granblue Fantasy: Versus Risingwill hopefully allow the game and its community to rebuild with a new wave of excitement. Rollback netcode and crossplay on platforms including PC, PS4, and PS5, is a great start.
There’s so much more being added and expanded inGranblue Fantasy: Versus Rising, too. An even more powerful version of Plus Skills, Ultimate Skills, is being added alongside other new mechanics. New characters and stages will be included, on top ofGranblue Fantasy: Versus' roster of 24. An all-new Story Mode, expanding on the original chapters, begins a new saga. Graphics are being enhanced with shaders and post-processing effects, and that’s just the start of it.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Risingwill also feature a new online lobby named the Island. Not only will players be able to run their chibis around and launch into battles against other players on the Island, but there’s also a special Grand Bruise Legends party game included. Grand Bruise Legends will start with a Rising Royale platformer party game, as well as a team-based game where players collect gold bricks.
There are obviously positives and minuses associated with Cygames' decision to release an entirely new game instead of patching or releasing an expansion forGranblue Fantasy: Versus. Even the game’s most dedicated players would argue that theCOVID-19 pandemicdramatically impacted the first game’s reach and popularity, though. This is a fresh start forGranblue Fantasy: Versusand hopefully the start of an active, growing community.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Risingreleases in 2023 for PC, PS4, and PS5.
