Cygames has officially announced Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising, sequel to its hit fighting game Granblue Fantasy: Versus released in 2020. While Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising isn't a full sequel, rather an iterative version of the first game, Cygames is improving and expanding the new title in hugely significant ways. The biggest addition being the highly-requested addition of both cross-platform play and rollback netcode.
The lack of rollback netcode in Granblue Fantasy: Versus has been a long-running meme within the game's community. During EVO 2022, several games revealed or released rollback netcode, including Dragon Ball FighterZ, Samurai Showdown, and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. Yet when Granblue Fantasy: Versus' presentation came up and an online tournament was revealed with no plans for rollback netcode, the community was distraught, to say the least.
It turns out that Cygames wasn't ignoring the community's request for rollback netcode, though. Rather, it was working on the feature for its upcoming sequel Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising. While the original version of the game will be left behind, Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising will hopefully allow the game and its community to rebuild with a new wave of excitement. Rollback netcode and crossplay on platforms including PC, PS4, and PS5, is a great start.
There's so much more being added and expanded in Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising, too. An even more powerful version of Plus Skills, Ultimate Skills, is being added alongside other new mechanics. New characters and stages will be included, on top of Granblue Fantasy: Versus' roster of 24. An all-new Story Mode, expanding on the original chapters, begins a new saga. Graphics are being enhanced with shaders and post-processing effects, and that's just the start of it.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising will also feature a new online lobby named the Island. Not only will players be able to run their chibis around and launch into battles against other players on the Island, but there's also a special Grand Bruise Legends party game included. Grand Bruise Legends will start with a Rising Royale platformer party game, as well as a team-based game where players collect gold bricks.
There are obviously positives and minuses associated with Cygames' decision to release an entirely new game instead of patching or releasing an expansion for Granblue Fantasy: Versus. Even the game's most dedicated players would argue that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted the first game's reach and popularity, though. This is a fresh start for Granblue Fantasy: Versus and hopefully the start of an active, growing community.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising releases in 2023 for PC, PS4, and PS5.