GranBlue Fantasy: ReLink Endless Ragnarok by developer and publisher Cygames Inc.—Sony PlayStation 5 review written by Pierre-Yves with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes.
GranBlue Fantasy: ReLink released in 2024 bringing the GranBlue universe to an action adventure JRPG format. With a party of up to four members, this band of skyfarers set out for new skies, adventures, and dangers. Two years later, Endless Ragnarok (patch notes) adds to this already solid experience with enhancements to existing mechanics and plenty of new features to keep existing and returning skyfarers busy.
The timing of Endless Ragnarok is perfect. Having recently finished the base solo player game, and having gone through all of the multiplayer content with Richard, I was prepared to see what's changed and what's been improved from the original base game. Now the following is important.
Very important.
Unless you've already gone through all of the hardest post endgame missions and grinded some of the best gear? You'll only be able to dip your toes into Endless Ragnarok.
It was created for the hardcore crowd.
So while there is a gate that must be passed through, there are a few new features to help you out with that. The first is the addition of the Conflux Mode. A short burst of Roguelike dungeon crawling. You will travel through nodes fighting regular mobs, elite mobs and bosses. Or, you can travel through challenge nodes requiring you to spot the difference or parkour collecting crystals or chasing after something. Finally, there are more rare treasure rooms that can really help you buff up for your current Conflux run.
The best part of this new gameplay mode is that it's designed to help catch players up. Didn't go through the original and painstakingly grind every material you needed? No problem! Run through the Conflux a few times and select the completion award that will help you out best.
Otherwise, I had been wondering why this was added as it was almost AFK (away from keyboard) easy. That was the case until the later Conflux cycles that needed the new Endless Ragnarok content to be progressed. Then it was nail biting excitement wondering if I was even going to manage to pull through with fully upgraded ultra powerful Terminus weapons.
The new main Endless Ragnarok content is no different. It's hard and it's designed to test you in a way that makes even the toughest core game missions look easy. While getting the hang of it will help, you'll also need to keep upgrading your sigils and their abilities. The further you upgrade those, the further you can push. If you can't push far enough? There are some new and existing features to help out with that.
Munitions have been added as an extra bonus to upgrade your regular, ascension or terminus weapons. Accumulated by completing missions, each munition will add two extra attack points up to 99 times. Even better, these can be added or subtracted as needed. Don't like your current weapon? Remove the Munitions and add them to a different weapon. Or a different character’s weapon. Combined with the large bonus for completing the ascension or terminus weapons, and all your sigils? You'll notice the difference and need that firepower.
Another new card up your sleeve is the limited ability to summon past bosses, enemies or allies to fight with you, or buff you, for a limited time. Giant elemental primals, hulking goblin warriors, or other factions that you've teamed up with, each has their time and place if you play your cards right.
Summons also didn't feel like after thoughts as some of the elemental primals can easily out damage your best full burst attacks. These super powerful full team attacks have also gotten an upgrade with the ability to perform Primal Full Bursts which adds a summon attack on top of the rest.
Hilariously? Even all of this isn't enough at times. You'll need to “git gud”. Or call in some extra help.
Unlike the original single player story, and the intro into Endless Ragnarok, the new content takes place in the mission structure. This allows you to either play online with friends, or if they are not available, have their listed character tag along for the ride. As Richard and I played a lot together, having his listed character along felt like a natural fit when our schedules didn't line up together.
If I didn't state it enough so far, the new content is hard. But it's also damned fun. The new missions don't feel like just a series of repeating boss fights. Sure, some are, but others are brand new trials to overcome and the feeling of satisfaction for doing so? It was big for me. So there's end game content, and then they added higher end game content. Then the expansion is end end end game content! It is always a toss up for me if I dive into this content and this one really hit home which I think is what was being strived for. It was for the long term players, and hardcore crowd, to have something to sink their teeth into.
Overall, while the price of admission to GranBlue Fantasy: ReLink’s Endless Ragnarok may be high, requiring all previous post-game content to have been completed feel worth it? It feels worth it. New challenges, new features and the new quality of life additions sprinkled though, if you needed more content, this expansion is for you!
Score: 8 / 10
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