Granblue Fantasy Versus
A 2020 fighting game based on the Granblue Fantasy RPG.
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Granblue Fantasy Versus is a 2.5D fighting game that came out in 2020, built by Arc System Works for Windows PCs and PlayStation 4. It draws from the role-playing game Granblue Fantasy, with Cygames handling the Japanese release and Sega managing other Asian territories on February 6, 2020. Western releases followed in March, courtesy of Xseed Games and Marvelous Europe, while the PC version went global on March 13 of the same year. A sequel, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, arrived on December 14, 2023.
In terms of gameplay, Versus is a standard fighting game where players aim to drain an opponent’s life bar enough times to win. Each fighter has special moves called Skybound Arts, which mirror abilities from the original Granblue Fantasy. To make things easier for newcomers, these arts can be triggered with a single button press, but doing so puts the skill on a short cooldown. If a player executes the move through a more complex combination of inputs, the cooldown gets reduced. The game also includes RPG Mode, a side-scrolling beat-’em-up with action RPG elements, similar to Guilty Gear Judgment. This mode features exclusive bosses, minions, weapon grid setups, and cooperative play.
The roster launched with 11 playable characters. One character is unlocked through the main story but can be bought instantly via Character Pass 1, while another was added as a random slot in a free update. Additional characters arrived through paid Character Passes, which also grant bonuses to the main Granblue Fantasy mobile game. In total, the game features 24 characters.
RPG Mode tells a standalone story. Players control Gran and their crew as they travel between islands, fighting other Granblue Fantasy characters and uncovering the mysterious force behind the violence and chaos. Along the way, the game introduces backstories and relationships for the main cast.
Development was handled by Arc System Works, known for Dragon Ball FighterZ and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. Creative director Tetsuya Fukuhara and publisher Cygames aimed to introduce Western audiences to the Granblue Fantasy universe. Fukuhara felt that dropping newcomers into the ongoing narrative of the RPG would be off-putting, so he chose a fighting game format, believing the genre’s popularity in the West would help.
- Sales
- Over 400,000 copies shipped worldwide by November 2020
Lore & Background
Granblue Fantasy Versus was developed by Arc System Works, known for Dragon Ball FighterZ and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. Creative director Tetsuya Fukuhara and publisher Cygames aimed to attract Western audiences to the Granblue Fantasy universe by creating a fighting game, believing the genre's popularity would ease newcomers into the franchise. The game features a standalone storyline in RPG Mode, a side-scrolling beat 'em up with exclusive bosses, weapon grids, and co-op play, where players control Gran and company to uncover a mysterious force causing chaos.
Reader's Guide
Granblue Fantasy Versus is significant for its deliberate accessibility design, sharing philosophies with Arc System Works' earlier titles. It implements one-button special moves (Skybound Arts) with a cooldown mechanic, while advanced inputs shorten the cooldown, balancing beginner-friendliness with competitive depth. The game received generally favorable reviews, with IGN rating it 8/10 and Game Informer 7.75/10, praising its barrier-lowering design and narrative-driven RPG mode. It was nominated for Best Fighting at The Game Awards 2020 and Fighting Game of the Year at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, losing both to Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate. The PlayStation 4 version sold 86,248 physical copies in its launch week in Japan, and by November 2020, worldwide sales exceeded 450,000 copies. Its legacy includes a sequel, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, released in 2023.
Did You Know?
- The game includes English voice acting.
- The Windows version does not support cross-platform play with PlayStation 4.
- In-game rewards for the Granblue Fantasy mobile game were available for the Windows port via account linking.
- The game shipped over 400,000 copies worldwide by November 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Granblue Fantasy Versus?
It is a 2.5D fighting game released in 2020 that adapts characters from the Granblue Fantasy RPG series into a one-on-one combat format. Arc System Works developed the title for PlayStation 4 and PC.
Who published Granblue Fantasy Versus in different regions?
Cygames handled the Japanese release, Sega managed other Asian territories, Xseed Games took North America, and Marvelous Europe covered Europe and Australia.
How many playable fighters are in Granblue Fantasy Versus?
The full roster totals 24 characters, starting with 11 at launch and expanding through unlockable and downloadable-content additions.
What platforms can you play Granblue Fantasy Versus on?
The game is available on PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows, with the PC version rolling out globally on March 13, 2020.
Is there a sequel to Granblue Fantasy Versus?
Yes—Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising launched on December 14, 2023, adding new characters, modes, and quality-of-life refinements to the original formula.
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