In related news, water is wet. Okay in all seriousness, though, when the Endless Ragnarok expansion first got announced for Granblue Fantasy: Relink, that was all well and good, but what I was really excited for was the Switch 2 port. Playing this game during its original launch window on PC was fantastic, and it was clear that if it ever came to a portable device, it’d be an instant hit. Well, I’m glad to report that Granblue Fantasy: Relink does indeed play extremely well on the Switch 2, and I’m looking forward to sinking another 100 hours into this game on the go.
Some things to note: there’s no save data transfer, so if you’re a returning player who wants to experience the adventure on Switch 2, you’ll need to start from scratch. This can be a bummer, especially if you were looking to jump straight into Endless Ragnarok, but it is what it is. It doesn’t take terribly long to get through the main story, though I would recommend grinding out resources for your gear before jumping into the expansion. It’s no walk in the park.
For new players, on the other hand, you’re in for a treat. I like describing Granblue Fantasy: Relink as a sort of more casual version of Capcom’s Monster Hunter. The action combat isn’t quite as demanding as Monster Hunter, but still offers a good bit of depth with the number of characters you can play as. Each character comes with their own unique skill trees and weapons, and with Endless Ragnarok providing even more build options that you can spec into, the build possibilities truly do feel endless.
Relink is also much more focused on its story and characters. While kinda trope-y at times — it is an anime-ass game, after all — I mostly enjoy it for the vibes. It’s a great hangout game with a world that feels good to hang out in, even when you’re not on quests and are just focused on talking to NPCs and tweaking your equipment.
I will say, however, that Granblue Fantasy: Relink is locked to 30fps on the Switch 2, which may come as a disappointment to some players. I do typically enjoy higher framerates especially in fast-paced action games, and if that’s a priority to you, you’re much better off playing the PC or PS5 versions instead. That being said, the framerate is generally quite consistent on the Switch 2, and that counts for something too. I’ve been playing primarily in handheld mode and found that the tradeoff for enjoying the game on a portable device to be well worth it. The consistent framerate makes for a smooth gameplay experience, and as someone who personally prioritizes portability over most other things, Granblue Fantasy: Relink‘s Switch 2 port is everything I could’ve asked for.
I am also someone who is having a much more enjoyable time with FFVII Rebirth on Switch 2, compared with the PS5 version, so take that as you will. Your mileage may vary depending on your own priorities.
I did notice that the game seemed to struggle just a little bit on occasion, especially in instances where there are just way too many particles onscreen. These instances never lasted long though, and they never got in the way of the combat. They’re noticeable to be sure, but nothing I couldn’t get over quickly.
Graphically, Relink on the Switch 2 looks pretty much just as good as its PC and PS5 counterparts when it comes to the pre-rendered cutscenes. The character models are sharp and crisp, though considering that Relink has never been a particularly graphically intensive game, I guess that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Gameplay graphics are another story, and when you look a bit too closely, you can tell the character models are just a little bit muddier than they should be. It’s a shame, but if you can look past the visuals, you’ll still find a lot to love here.
Much like Monster Hunter Rise did when it first released on the OG Switch, Granblue Fantasy: Relink feels like a match made in heaven with the Switch 2. The short quest structure makes it an easy game to pick up and play whenever you want. It’s worth pointing out that there’s cross-platform play, which means that you can take on quests with your friends regardless of which version they’re playing. Even as a solo experience, which is how I’ve mostly been enjoying the game, it’s still fantastic. Over the past two weeks, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has been my go-to “break” game in between long sessions of FFVII Rebirth and Deltarune; I’ve found the loop of slaying monsters and upgrading gear in short bursts to be a fun complement to my more story-heavy experiences.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink‘s Switch 2 port isn’t perfect by any means, but if you’ve been wanting yet another portable monster hunting game to take with you on the go, you can’t go wrong with this one.
A review code for the game was provided by the publisher. You can check out our review policy here.
