The newest Fighting Game produced by Arc System Works Granblue Fantasy Versus provides newcomers an excellent entry to the genre. The title draws characters from the mobile game powerhouse and provides an accessible while still technical fighter. Maintaining the gorgeous visual style that Arc System Works has made famous, Grandblue Fantasy Versus is as competitively sound as it is visually striking. For players unfamiliar with the fighting game genre, there has never been a better place to enter the fray. Providing easy to use but hard to master gameplay system, Granblue Fantasy Versus is the most beginner-friendly game available now.
The unfortunate reality of the fighting game genre is that is as nerve-racking as it is hard to learn. From memorizing difficult combos, learning character-specific matchups, and, situational techniques to master it is no surprise that the genre is intimidating for beginners. However, Granblue provides players with a stepping stone to enjoy what makes fighting games so addicting without the unnecessary hang-ups. The title provides some interesting mechanics that expedite the learning curve on most fighting games. The following guide will provide some essential tips to master the newest Arc System Works fighter.
Picking a Character in Granblue Fantasy Versus
Although small, the roster of Granblue is filled to the brim with unique and interesting characters. Each one filling out a fighting game "archetype" with their own unique playstyle and personality.
It is important to understand how each character operates and what strengths they have. The following list will detail each character's strengths and weaknesses:
- Gran: Gran is the all arounder of the cast. Having similarities to the Street Fighter mascot, Ryu, Gran is a good character to pick for beginners. Having a well-versed tool kit in which he is a jack of all trades and a master of none. This character is an essential pick to learn the ins and outs of Granblue
- Katalina: Similar to Gran, Katalina is another well-rounded character. Possessing more range than her male counterpart, Katalina is an excellent choice for a player who wants a well-rounded play style.
- Charlotta: An offensive monster, Charlotta has no glaring weaknesses. Being a mix-up machine and possessing some of the best tools in the game, Charlotta is a nightmare to fight against but a powerful weapon in the right player's hands.
- Lancelot: A "rekka" character, Lancelot possesses moves that can be chained a number of times for powerful offense. Lancelot fits the mold for players who want a powerful offensively driven playstyle.
- Ferry: Excelling at "keep out" play, Ferry is a character who excels at keeping her opponent at bay. Using a powerful whip and a variety of zoning oriented special moves. Ferry is a solid choice for players who wish to keep enemies away from them.
- Lowain: Lowain is the wild man of the bunch. A "party" character in that he has a variety of unorthodox moves and strange but effective supers, Lowain is a hard but extremely powerful character to master.
- Ladiva: The grappler of the cast, Ladiva is a powerful close quarter fighter. Her unique and extremely dangerous arsenal of throws makes her a nightmare character when in the corner and allowed to connect.
- Percival: A powerful ranged fighter, Percival makes use of his superior range to keep his enemies at bay. A powerful pressure monster who excels at frustrating his enemies into making mistakes.
- Metera: Metera is the dedicated zoner of the cast. Hosting a variety of bow and arrow attacks, approaching this character can be a nightmare when played correctly.
- Zeta: Zeta is another "keep away" style character. Hosting a variety of powerful stabbing attacks, her long-ranged spear makes her an excellent character to keep your enemies out.
- Vaseraga: The final character in the cast, Vaseraga is the "big boy" of the roster. Possessing huge but slow attacks, Vaseraga requires a patient player to utilize effectively.
The Easy Inputs of Granblue Fantasy Versus
What makes Granblue such a good game to enter the fighting game genre is due to its "easy" input mechanic.
This mechanic connects a character's particular special move to a button on the D-Pad. Instead of forcing players to do a special move motion, the player has the option to simply press one button. This mechanic does come at a cost, this is due to the long cooldowns connected to the move after using the easy input. Providing players both a strong reason to use the mechanic and to also learn the inputs associated with the special move. Doing the moves without easy input allows players to do the attack again without the need for a cool down.
Granblue provides players a block button as well, instead of the traditional hold back to block method. This makes the difficult nature of defense in fighting games much easier for new players. However, you still have to learn to both block high and low for certain attacks, as the Block button does not cover those options simply by holding the button down.
The title also comes with a variety of "auto" combos or chains. These are done by pressing a button multiple times to get a string of attacks in sequence. By pressing the light attack three times players will be provided with a three attack string that can be followed up with a special attack. The same can be done by pressing the heavy attack three times. This provides new players an opportunity to score big damage without the need for long and difficult combo routes.
The game provides players with powerful EX moves. These EX moves are stronger versions of the special moves a player has at their disposal. These moves tend to do more damage and have higher versatility at the cost of long cooldowns. So be wise when using these attacks as if down with reckless abandoned they will no longer be usable for a hefty amount of time.
Granblue Fantasy Versus is available on PS4.