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

2024 has played host to a series of absolutely stellar RPGs, from the incredibly immersive Dragon’s Dogma 2 and with a lot of history Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth to the wonderfully bombastic Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Starblade. For the most part, these incredible games have received the attention they deserve, with each of their incredible sales categorically proving that the RPG and JRPG genres are still very much alive. However, while most of them have become 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 single one of the best JRPGs of 2024 to be heavily played by everyone, nor do I expect my favorites to be everyone else’s. After all, that would mean that everyone in the world would unanimously love Xenoblade Chronicles 2and as much as my heart aches, I know that will never happen. However, That this particular RPG goes unnoticed is a little disconcerting, as it offers some of the most satisfying combatgreat characters, beautifully shot scenes, and a unique art style that’s a feast for the eyes.

Why did everyone completely forget about Granblue Fantasy: Relink?

Looks like it came and went as fast as the Grandcypher

I remember watching the gameplay for the first time Granblue Fantasy: Relink since TGS 2016 and be absolutely delighted. That initial announcement that promised an all-new RPG set in Granblue Fantasy universe as a joint effort between Cygames and PlatinumGames – those amazing people behind the Bayonet series – was enough to make any JRPG fan dizzy. Even those who did not appreciate the Granblue Fantasy IP like me could still admire the gorgeous visuals and exciting combat.

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

Why, when I finally got my copy Granblue Fantasy: Relink in the mail after reading your countless glowing reviews, it felt like a dream come true. Putting it on my PS5, listening to the beautiful menu theme as it installs – more games need music on the home page, like Granblue Fantasy: Relink – and finally being thrown headfirst into this wonderful world was incredible. And the problem is this: I was absolutely not alone, as not only Granblue Fantasy: Relink earn 80 Metacriticbut it also sits at a healthy 9/10 on Steamwith everyone really enjoying it.

So what went wrong? How did everyone decide to stop talking about it as if it had suddenly ceased to exist? Good, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth probably had something to do with it, especially considering it was released just a month later. Oh, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth had fallen just a few days before and the long-awaited Person 3 the remake was released literally a day later. That’s not even mentioning Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Unicorn Sovereignboth released just 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 video game with competition is nothing new; just look at the Horizon series, which until now has been consistently outperformed by industry-changing titles. However, Granblue Fantasy: Relink was uniquely positioned as it represented a genre shift for the series – as before Granblue Fantasy the games were either mobile entries or fighting games – and they were part of an IP that, while extremely popular, wasn’t as well-known in the West. As a result, It is not particularly surprising that Granblue Fantasy: Relink kind of faded into obscurity.

However, this is where I feel seriously offended, as not only Granblue Fantasy: Relink one of the best RPGs of the year, but Its gameplay is so ridiculously satisfying and so unnecessarily good that those who haven’t tried it are seriously missing out.. Granblue Fantasy: Relink has over 20 playable characters, each with completely distinct fighting styles – that’s the fighting game influence shining through – that players can unlock without spending any real-life money, but rather by completing engaging main and side content.

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

However, while I really enjoyed playing as Zeta, I always felt encouraged to try out other characters, like Ferry, whose attacks grant her spirits that she can use to deliver powerful blows, or Narmaya, who has to create butterflies when she lands. combos to increase the damage of your attacks. Once players get through the gripping story – which has some of the best cutscenes in all of JRPG history – they are treated to a stunning endgame packed with exciting quests to complete.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink may deserve GOTY

It’s certainly the best JRPG of the year

All of this – and much, much more – culminates to make Granblue Fantasy: Relink an easy GOTY candidate for 2024. I mean, I didn’t even mention it Granblue Fantasy: Relink It has multiplayer, a component that serves to make its already fascinating combat infinitely better. I think that’s what makes it so bizarre that it’s been so overlooked, because while I appreciate its anime sensibilities, it means it’s not for everyone, Relink’s litany of impressive mechanics feel like they should be the gold standard that future action RPGs follow.

But then, that’s largely how this industry works now, with games being released so frequently that it’s difficult to remember them all or even keep the best ones in constant discussion. Of course, the occasional masterpiece will be talked about to death – will we ever stop talking about it? Baldur’s Gate 3? – but even the biggest JRPGs of the year, like Renaissance were left a little aside. Happily, Granblue Fantasy: Relink It’s not going anywhere, fans will still be able to play it for years to come and I hope everyone has as much fun as I did.

However, I wonder if maybe it’s time we slow down a bit, stop trying to consume every indie and AAA title like they’re Skittles, and instead take our time. Maybe this is just my problem, but I’m worried that the more the gaming industry develops, and the more we all demand that developers rush their next big game, the more we move too soon on the games we actually enjoy.. I spent a good amount of time after crashing Link again just thinking about it gives me space to remember the time I spent with it, which is why I can come back months later and try to sell it to everyone.

Ultimately, video games are a personal experience and perhaps Link again it just hit me harder than everyone else. However, for those who may be aware Link againor are looking for your next JRPG fix, it’s worth checking out. Granblue Fantasy: Relink It’s a 9/10 for a reason, and the fact that it was so quickly brushed aside is a little disappointing.

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