GRANBLUE FANTASY: VERSUS Going overboard with this airship of punch-up delights

Are you one of the 25 million players of the mobile game Granblue Fantasy, or a fan of the anime adaptation? Then you’ll love how Granblue Fantasy: Versus is steeped in nods and references for the devoted. But even if you’re not, Versus is a terrifically fun fighter. No punches, whip-cracks, or spear thrusts have been pulled by veteran fighting game developer Arc System Works (the punching bag behind Guilty Gear, Dragon Ball FighterZ).

“EVERY CHARACTER HAS THEIR OWN ACTION, WHICH MAKES A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE TO THEIR FIGHTING STYLE.” The fighting fundamentals are simple, though not lacking in depth. Every character has light, medium, and heavy attacks using their weapons with r, w, and e respectively – though their fighting styles ensure each feels unique. When striking, tapping the buttons again can give you an auto-combo up to three hits. On top of that, moves can be altered depending on distance, or if you’re jumping or crouching. Every character also has their own action on q – things like parries, extra dashes, or even a health-boosting snack – which makes a massive difference to their fighting style.

COOL OFF

One of the biggest mechanical twists is the way characters’ specials (called Skills) work, and it’s a stroke of genius. The only moves that use meter are the full-power Skybound and Super Skybound Arts. Every other skill – your Hadouken- or Dragon-Punch-type moves – has an individual cooldown displayed below your health. You can activate all four by tapping u on its own or with a directional input. But there’s a lot of variation within that simple-sounding framework. You can modify every Skill by pressing eitherâ–² or â—‹ at the same time to give it a stronger variation. For instance, Ladiva’s Headbutt Of Love does more damage with â–², but gains the ability for a follow-up strike with â—‹. Using these more advanced moves means the cooldown will take longer. So you’d better make it count.