If you weren’t familiar with Granblue Fantasy before diving into Granblue Fantasy: Relink, you’d quickly realize it’s not a standalone game. Granblue Fantasy originated as a turn-based RPG/gacha game exclusively available on mobile devices in Japan. Granblue Fantasy: Relink brings its world and characters into an action-RPG format for PlayStation consoles and PC, featuring co-op multiplayer and quests reminiscent of Monster Hunter. However, does this classify Relink as a sequel, an adaptation of the mobile game’s narrative, or something else entirely?
What is Granblue Fantasy Relink?
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is best described as a spin-off to the Granblue Fantasy mobile game. It doesn’t serve as a direct sequel since the mobile game continues its storyline with no definitive conclusion. Nonetheless, Relink takes place after the events of the mobile game’s third arc, which could argue its sequel status.
As Relink unfolds with the main characters still pursuing their quest to reach the mythical island of Estalucia, it’s evident that it’s not merely an epilogue or continuation of the mobile game’s central plot.
Regarding Relink’s storyline, it presents a standalone adventure distinct from the mobile game’s narrative. While all playable characters stem from the mobile game, Relink introduces new characters and locations. While Relink appears to align with Granblue Fantasy canonically, its events may not significantly impact the main plot of the mobile game, although developer Cygames has hinted at the potential integration of new characters into the mobile game in the future.
Do you need to play Granblue Fantasy before Granblue Fantasy: Relink?
Fortunately, playing Granblue Fantasy before Granblue Fantasy: Relink is not a prerequisite. Granblue Fantasy can be daunting for newcomers, especially with its exclusive availability in Japan. Online resources exist to catch up on the story, but it’s extensive, spanning roughly a decade of character development, plot intricacies, and lore.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink starts without much introduction to its main characters, but its initial chapter swiftly covers essential backstory elements such as the life link between the player character Gran/Djeeta and Lyria. Each character also has Fate Episodes accessible at the Quest Counter, offering brief summaries of their backgrounds.
While it may feel like Relink skims over significant details, it provides enough context to comprehend the basics. Additionally, there’s a glossary accessible at any time, even during cutscenes, offering explanations about Granblue Fantasy’s world, races, lore, and terminology.
Therefore, if you’re interested in playing Relink but concerned about not grasping the characters or story, worry not. Relink serves as a decent entry point into the franchise, though enthusiasts may find themselves craving more character depth and lore exploration.
