One of my favorite games of 2024 is this 9/10 masterpiece everyone has already forgotten

2024 has been host to a number of absolutely stellar RPGs, from the incredibly immersive Dragon’s Dogma 2 And history-heavy Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth To the wonderful bombastic Granblue Fantasy: Relink And Stellar blade. For the most part, these incredible games have gotten the attention they deserve, with each of their incredible sales proving categorically that the RPG and JRPG genres are still very much alive. However, while most of them have been fan favorites and even GOTY contenders, one of the best RPGs of the year has been completely overlooked, and frankly, that’s a travesty.

Naturally, I don’t expect every one of the best JRPGs of 2024 to be intensely played by everyone, and I don’t expect my favorites to be all the others. After all, this would mean that everyone in the world will unanimously love Xenoblade Chronicles 2And, as much as it hurts my heart, I know that will never happen. however, For this specific RPG to be overlooked is a bit baffling as it offers some of the most satisfying combat.Big characters, beautifully shot cutscenes, and a unique art style that’s a treat for the eyes.

Why has everyone completely forgotten about Granblue Fantasy: Relink?

It feels like it came and went as quickly as the Grandcipher

I remember first seeing gameplay for Granblue Fantasy: Relink All the way back during 2016’s TGS And being absolutely blown away. The first announcement that promised a brand new RPG set in the Game Grandblue Fantasy universe as a joint effort between Cygames and PlatinumGames – the awesome people behind the Bayonetta series – was enough to make any JRPG fan swoon. Even those who had no appreciation for them Game Grandblue Fantasy IP like me can still admire the gorgeous visuals and thrilling combat.

Then we continue to get trailer after trailer, showing how much the game is changing and improving, with better character models, more fluid combat, great story moments and so much more. It was hard not to be excited, honestly. Of course, it was confirmed in 2019 that PlatinumGames was leaving the project, which was certainly a shock, and the game was delayed until 2022, then 2023, and finally released in 2024. It is fair to say Granblue Fantasy: Relink It’s been a long time comingAlthough the wait is absolutely worth it.

because, When I finally got my copy of Granblue Fantasy: Relink In the mail after reading its countless glowing reviews, it felt like a dream come true. Popping it into my PS5, listening to the gorgeous menu theme as it installed – more games need music on the homepage than Granblue Fantasy: Relink – And then finally thrust head first into this wonderful world felt amazing. And here’s the thing, I was absolutely not alone, like not alone Granblue Fantasy: Relink Get 80 on MetacriticBut it also sits at a healthy 9/10 on SteamWith everyone thoroughly enjoying it.

So, what’s wrong? How come everyone just decided to stop talking about it like it suddenly ceased to exist? well, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth Probably had something to do with it, especially considering it was released only a month later. Oh, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Has dropped just a few days before and the long-anticipated Persona 3 Remake was released literally a day later. That’s not even mentioned Dragon’s Dogma 2 And Unicorn OverlordBoth of which were released just shy of two months later. Granblue Fantasy: Relink Didn’t have a chance.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink has the best RPG combat of the year

It’s much better than it needs to be

Of course, a competitive video game is nothing new; Just look at these Horizon series, which has so far been constantly trumped by industry-changing titles. however, Granblue Fantasy: Relink was uniquely positioned in that it was both a change in genre for the series – as before Game Grandblue Fantasy Games were mobile entries or fighting games – and were part of an IP that, although extremely popular, was not that well known in the West. As a result, This is not particularly surprising Granblue Fantasy: Relink has kind of faded into obscurity.

However, this is where I take serious discomfort, as not only is Granblue Fantasy: Relink One of the best RPGs of the year, though Its gameplay is so ridiculously satisfying and so unnecessarily good that those who haven’t tried it yet are seriously missing out.. Granblue Fantasy: Relink Has over 20 playable characters, each with completely different fighting styles – this is the influence of fighting games shining through – that players can unlock without spending any real-life money, but rather by completing the engrossing main and side content.

Each mission is surprisingly short, although it usually ends in a climax, almost Monster Hunter-esque boss actionWhich has multiple stages, powerful team wiping attacks and unique movesets that make each of them stand out. Combat, especially during boss fights, is really the highlight, as players will not only need to choose the best team for the job, but also master the fighting style of their chosen character. I played a lot as Zeta, who could chain an endless loop of attacks that put her out of harm’s way as long as I timed each blow.

However, although I really like playing as Zeta, I always felt encouraged to try other characters, such as Feri, whose attacks give her spirits which she can then use to deliver powerful blows, or Narmaya, who has to build butterflies by landing combos In order to increase her attacks damage. Once players have made it through the emotional story – which has some of the best cutscenes in all of JRPG history – they are treated to an impressive end game filled to the brim with exciting missions to paint.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink May Deserve GOTY

It’s definitely the best JRPG of the year

All this – and so, so much more – culminates to make Granblue Fantasy: Relink An easy GOTY contender for 2024. I mean, I didn’t even mention that Granblue Fantasy: Relink Has multiplayer, a component that serves to make its already riveting combat infinitely better. I think that’s what makes it so weird that it hasn’t been so severely underlooked, as, while I appreciate its anime sensibility, it doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Relink’s litany of impressive mechanics feels like they should be the gold standard future action RPGs are held to..

But then, that’s largely how the industry works now, with Games come out so often that it’s hard to remember them all, or even keep the best ones in constant discussion. Sure, people talk to death about the newspaper master’s work – we will stop sometime Baldur’s Gate 3? – but even the bigger JRPGs of the year like Rebirth They pushed each other a little. luckily, Granblue Fantasy: Relink Ain’t going anywhere, fans will still be able to play it for years to come, and hopefully they’ll all have as good a time as I did.

However, I wonder if maybe it’s time we all slowed down a bit, stopped trying to consume every indie and every triple-A title like they were Skittles, and instead took our time. Maybe that’s just a me problem, though I’m worried that the more the gaming industry pumps out, and the more we all demand developers rush out their next big game, the more we move on too soon from the games we really enjoyed.. I spent a good while after beating Relink Just thinking about it, giving myself the space to remember my time with him, which is why I can come back months later and try to sell it to everyone else.

Ultimately, video games are a personal experience, and maybe Relink Just beat me harder than everyone else. However, for those who may have been aware of RelinkOr you’re looking for your next JRPG fix, it’s absolutely worth checking out. Granblue Fantasy: Relink Is a 9/10 for a reason, and the fact that it was pushed aside so quickly is a little disappointing.

Source: YouTube/GamersPrey, Metacritic, Steam, YouTube/Playstation