Wow.
It’s hard not to say that after the first hour of Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok on the PlayStation 5 Pro. The opening scenes are simply breathtaking in their scale, visuals, and presentation. The overall technical quality is arguably among the best I’ve ever seen. But does that first impression still hold up many hours later?
Granblue Fantasy: Relink originally launched on 1st February 2024 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC. Endless Ragnarok is a substantial expansion designed primarily for players who have already completed the base game.
Without dwelling too much on the original release, Granblue Fantasy: Relink offers a 15 to 20-hour action RPG campaign that can comfortably be played entirely solo. Your AI-controlled party members are surprisingly capable throughout the adventure.
Where I struggled initially was with the story’s introduction. If, like me, you’re unfamiliar with the wider Granblue universe, the opening is incredibly brief and offers very little explanation. Within minutes, I found myself aboard a flying ship alongside a cast of characters I knew nothing about, battling a dragon. I had no idea who anyone was or why I should care.
Thankfully, once you move beyond that opening, the game settles into a well-paced, exciting, if somewhat predictable, “save the world” adventure. A likeable cast, minimal downtime, and consistently spectacular boss battles keep the campaign engaging from beginning to end.
The presentation deserves special praise. The visuals are stunning, the animation is incredibly smooth, and the soundtrack complements every major encounter beautifully. If you’re looking for a thrilling anime-style fantasy action-RPG with a polished 15 to 20-hour campaign, Granblue Fantasy: Relink absolutely delivers.
However, for many players, the real game begins after the credits roll.
The post-game transforms into something much closer to Monster Hunter. You’ll replay bosses, complete increasingly difficult quests, farm materials, and continually improve both your characters and their equipment. This can all be tackled solo, but online co-op is where the community truly shines.
I only have to look at my own PlayStation friends list to see the appeal. One friend had already logged over 370 hours in the base game before Endless Ragnarok was even released.
The expansion builds significantly on this endgame experience.
Alongside a continuation of the story, it introduces “The Conflux”, a new single-player rogue-like mode featuring randomised encounters, temporary upgrades, and valuable rewards that feed back into your character progression.
There are also additional high-level co-op quest tiers aimed at experienced players, new playable characters, and a fresh gameplay mechanic that allows you to summon powerful beasts to unleash devastating attacks during combat.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the campaign. The combination of spectacular visuals, excellent music, responsive combat, and memorable boss fights creates a genuinely exciting experience. Friends warned me beforehand that the game was extremely grindy, but I never felt that during the story itself.
The post-game, however—including much of what Endless Ragnarok adds—is where my enthusiasm started to fade.
That isn’t because it’s poorly designed; it’s simply because this style of game has never really appealed to me. I enjoy racing games and competitive first-person shooters, where every match feels different despite repeating familiar gameplay loops. I’ve never been particularly drawn to looter games or Monster Hunter-style progression, and unfortunately, Granblue Fantasy: Relink hasn’t changed my mind.
Part of the issue is that many enemies become extremely tanky. Some encounters begin to feel like tests of endurance rather than skill. Having experienced teammates and a well-balanced party certainly helps, especially on the higher difficulties, but the overall gameplay loop just isn’t one I personally find rewarding.
That said, if you already enjoy games like Monster Hunter, then Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Endless Ragnarok should absolutely be on your radar. There’s an enormous amount of high-quality content here, and it’s easy to see how dedicated players can invest hundreds of hours.
Overall, my feelings remain very positive.
Cygames has produced one of the most technically accomplished and polished action-RPGs I’ve played in years. The campaign alone was worth my time, and although the grind-heavy post-game isn’t for me, I can completely appreciate why it has such a passionate community.
The production values are exceptional, the content is extensive, and the combat is consistently satisfying. Most importantly, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has firmly put Cygames on my list of developers to watch for in the future.
Developer: Cygames
Publisher: Cygames
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release Date: 9th July 2026
