Granblue Fantasy: Versus

Presentation

Granblue Fantasy: Versus is an action fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published by Cygames, XSEED Games and Sega Games, depending on the region. Based on the Granblue Fantasy universe, it brings its characters and fantasy aesthetic into two-dimensional battles featuring three-dimensional character models and environments. The game combines two complementary experiences: Versus Mode, dedicated to traditional one-on-one combat, and RPG Mode, offering a narrative adventure with exploration across different regions, character progression and battles against groups of enemies.

The story of RPG Mode follows Gran and the crew of the Grandcypher, an airship traveling between the floating islands of the Skydoms. A mysterious force causes disturbances among the inhabitants and fighters of this world, drawing the crew into a new adventure. The narrative brings back iconic characters from the franchise while exploring their relationships and parts of their personal histories. This campaign also provides an introduction to Granblue Fantasy without requiring extensive knowledge of the original game's events.

Versus Mode follows the principles of traditional one-on-one fighting games: movement, normal attacks, throws, blocking, dodging and combos. Each character has unique techniques reflecting their fighting style and abilities within the Granblue Fantasy universe. The combat system distinguishes between light, medium and heavy attacks, alongside a character-specific action. Duels revolve around spacing, anticipating opponents' attacks and taking advantage of openings in their defenses.

One of the gameplay's defining features is its simplified approach to special skills, which can be activated using a dedicated button. Each technique has a cooldown period before it can be used again. Players can also perform more traditional directional inputs, which reduce these cooldowns. A dedicated gauge provides access to Skybound Arts and their enhanced versions, Super Skybound Arts, powerful techniques capable of changing the course of a battle. The system therefore combines accessible controls with tactical management of timing and resources.

RPG Mode offers a different approach, closer to a side-scrolling action game. Players travel through various environments, fight waves of enemies and face powerful primal beasts. Characters become stronger by upgrading their weapons, assembling elemental weapon grids and using support skills. Missions can be completed alone, with an AI-controlled companion, or in two-player cooperative play, either locally or online.

Beyond this campaign, Granblue Fantasy: Versus includes several modes dedicated to combat, including Arcade Mode, Free Training and Mission Training. These allow players to learn the controls, practice combos and discover how to counter opponents' techniques. Multiplayer also includes local duels and online battles. The game thus brings together the mechanics of a traditional fighting game and progression systems inspired by the original RPG, within a shared visual and narrative universe.

Key points

• A 2D fighting game featuring three-dimensional characters and environments.
• A fantasy universe drawn from Granblue Fantasy, bringing together several iconic characters.
• Versus Mode, focused on duels, special skills and combos.
• Skills governed by cooldown periods, with simplified or traditional inputs.
• Skybound Arts and Super Skybound Arts, allowing players to unleash powerful attacks.
• A story-driven RPG Mode featuring monster battles, character progression and equipment upgrades.
• RPG missions playable solo or in two-player co-op, alongside local and online competitive battles.

Conclusion

Granblue Fantasy: Versus adapts the Granblue Fantasy universe to traditional fighting game mechanics while retaining some of its role-playing systems. The variety of characters, skill management and Skybound Arts shape encounters in which positioning and the choice of actions remain essential.

RPG Mode complements this approach with a separate adventure built around missions, encounters with powerful creatures and equipment development. This combination of competitive duels and narrative progression defines the game's identity, bringing together Arc System Works' fighting game expertise and the fantasy universe created by Cygames.

Good to know

Granblue Fantasy: Versus was released on February 6, 2020, for PlayStation 4 and PC. It uses Unreal Engine 4.

The game belongs to the Granblue Fantasy franchise, launched in 2014 for web browsers and mobile devices. Its fighting game adaptation was developed by Arc System Works, also known for the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series.

The playable roster notably includes Gran, Katalina, Charlotta, Lancelot, Percival, Ferry and Metera. Additional characters were introduced after launch, particularly through Character Passes and downloadable content. A Legendary Edition brings together the base game and a selection of this additional content.

In Versus Mode, Super Skybound Arts require a full gauge and sufficiently low health to be activated. Special skills have cooldown periods, which are generally shorter when the techniques are performed using traditional technical inputs.

RPG Mode adapts the equipment system from Granblue Fantasy through elemental weapon grids. Characters can also use up to two support skills, particularly to restore health or weaken enemies. A journal provides information about the universe, characters and elements unlocked throughout the adventure.

The game features Japanese and English voice acting, along with text in French, English, Spanish and several other languages.

Since April 21, 2026, the original game's online functionality has been reduced. Ranked matches and public online lobbies are no longer available, but private room matches remain accessible with certain restrictions. Solo RPG Mode, local battles and training features remain available.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, released later, is a separate game that expands the combat system with new mechanics, additional characters and enhanced multiplayer features. It should not be confused with the original Granblue Fantasy: Versus.