Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
Sequel to Granblue Fantasy Versus with new mechanics and crossplay.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a 2D fighting game from Arc System Works and Cygames. It came out on December 14, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows as a follow-up to the original Granblue Fantasy Versus. The game adds new mechanics like Dash Attacks and an updated Auto Combo system, now called Triple Attack. It also supports rollback netcode and crossplay. Lobby-based minigames, grouped under the name "Grand Bruise Legends!", are included and draw from the Granblue Fantasy webcomic *Grand Blues!*, featuring modes such as "Rising Royale" and "Gold Brick Hoarder."
All 24 characters from the first game return, with Lunalu acting as a random character slot. The base roster adds four new fighters, and 12 more have been released as DLC. Some of these newcomers were originally winners of a 2022 character poll meant for the first game’s DLC. The first season pass includes six characters, one of whom starts as the non-playable main antagonist of the base story, while another is an original character created for this game. This title includes third-party guest characters, a practice seen earlier in *Guilty Gear Strive* (2021).
Game director Tetsuya Fukuhara wanted a sequel, and after considering a minor upgrade for the original on PlayStation 5, the team decided to make a full sequel. It was announced at the GBVS Cygames Cup Special in January 2023, with a planned 2023 release. The launch was moved from November 30 to December 14, 2023, for extra polish.
DLC fighters are sold in season passes. Character Pass Part 1 launched in mid-January 2024, with the main antagonist Lucilius becoming playable on day one. The other five first-season DLC characters released throughout 2024: 2B from *Nier: Automata* (a guest who previously appeared in *Soulcalibur VI*) in late February; Vane and Beatrix (non-playable in the previous game) in late April and May; the original character Versusia (revealed to be Rein, the time-displaced mother of Gran and Djeeta) in August; and Vikala in October. Between mid-January and late February, a new stage, in-game features, and an improved online lobby were added.
- Developer
- Arc System Works
- Publisher
- Cygames
- Release date
- December 14, 2023
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
- Genre
- 2D fighting game
- Notable feature
- Includes third-party guest characters, following earlier Arc System Works titles like BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
Lore & Background
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising was developed after game director Tetsuya Fukuhara expressed a desire for a sequel. Initially uncertain about a PlayStation 5 upgrade for the first game, the team decided to direct a sequel, announced at GBVS Cygames Cup Special in January 2023. Originally scheduled for November 30, 2023, the launch was pushed back to December 14 for additional fine-tuning.
Reader's Guide
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising marks a significant evolution in the Granblue Fantasy fighting game series. It retains all 25 characters from the first game, adds four new base roster characters, and features a DLC roster of twelve characters. The first season includes six characters, with Lucilius (the base game's main antagonist) becoming playable on the first day of Character Pass Part 1 in mid-January 2024. Notably, the game introduced third-party guest characters for the first time in an Arc System Works-developed game, starting with 2B from Nier: Automata in late February 2024. The game's legacy includes ongoing support through season passes, with a second season announced at EVO 2024 and a Version 2.60 update adding Id as a playable DLC character in September 2026. The inclusion of lobby avatars, minigames, and collaborations with franchises like Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, and Shadowverse expanded its appeal beyond core fighting game fans.
Did You Know?
- The game's director, Tetsuya Fukuhara, expressed a desire for a sequel before it was announced.
- The base game includes a random slot character named Lunalu.
- The original Granblue Fantasy Versus had 11 playable characters at launch, not 24.
- Arc System Works included third-party guest characters in *Guilty Gear Strive* (2021) before *Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising* (2023).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising?
It is a 2D fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published by Cygames, serving as a direct follow-up to the original Granblue Fantasy Versus. It launched on December 14, 2023, and features a 24-character roster that includes third-party guest fighters, continuing the crossover tradition Arc System Works set with titles like BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.
What new mechanics does Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising introduce?
The game adds Dash Attacks and reworks the Auto Combo system into a new input called Triple Attack. It also brings rollback netcode and crossplay support, both of which were missing from the first entry.
What platforms is Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising available on?
The title is playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC. Crossplay is supported, so players on any of those platforms can match against each other.
What is Grand Bruise Legends! in the game?
It is a set of lobby-based minigames drawn from the Granblue Fantasy webcomic Grand Blues!. Included modes such as Rising Royale and Gold Brick Hoarder give players a casual, social alternative to ranked or casual versus matches.
Why is Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising notable in the fighting game scene?
It brings third-party guest characters into the Granblue Fantasy cast, a signature of Arc System Works' crossover fighting titles. Paired with rollback netcode, a 24-fighter roster, and crossplay, it positions the game as a more accessible and competitively viable entry than its predecessor.
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