Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok review (PS5)

Granblue Fantasy: Relink was already one of the stronger action RPGs in recent years, combining flashy combat with an expansive endgame that rewarded players willing to master its systems. Endless Ragnarok doesn’t attempt to reinvent that formula. Instead, it builds upon it with new progression mechanics, additional story content and fresh challenges that clearly target players who were eager to spend dozens more hours in Zegagrande’s skies. It’s an expansion that knows exactly who it’s for – and that’s both its greatest strength and its biggest limitation.

Set after the events of the base game, Endless Ragnarok introduces a new threat linked to mysterious anomalies spreading across the Skydom. While the additional storyline provides a fitting epilogue and does a respectable job of weaving its new gameplay systems into the narrative, it never quite reaches the emotional highs or cinematic spectacle of the original campaign. Story scenes lean more heavily on dialogue than elaborate cutscenes, and although the familiar cast remains as likeable as ever, the narrative often feels more like a vehicle for unlocking new content than a compelling adventure in its own right. Players invested in Granblue’s world will still appreciate spending more time with the crew, but those hoping for a major narrative leap may come away wanting more.

Fortunately, gameplay is where Endless Ragnarok truly earns its place. Combat remains fast, responsive and immensely satisfying, with every playable character offering a distinct fighting style that encourages experimentation. The new summon mechanics add another tactical layer, allowing powerful primal beasts to turn the tide of battle while introducing spectacular moments without overwhelming the already hectic action. Master Traits, expanded character progression and new equipment systems also provide far greater build variety than before, giving dedicated players plenty of opportunities to fine-tune their favourite characters.

The standout addition is undoubtedly Conflux, a roguelite-inspired mode that strings together a series of increasingly difficult encounters while rewarding players with temporary bonuses and valuable upgrade materials. It successfully breaks up the traditional quest structure and makes farming feel less repetitive than in the original release. Its opening tiers can feel somewhat underwhelming and don’t immediately showcase the mode’s full potential, but once the difficulty ramps up and the progression systems begin to click, Conflux becomes one of the expansion’s most compelling features. It’s also where Endless Ragnarok’s focus on high-level play becomes unmistakable, demanding strong builds, careful timing and a thorough understanding of combat mechanics.

That increased difficulty won’t appeal to everyone. Endless Ragnarok expects players to have completed not only the main story but also a significant portion of the base game’s post-game content before its biggest additions truly open up. Even experienced players may find themselves humbled by the tougher encounters, where precise dodging, blocking and party optimisation matter far more than raw levels alone. While the improved drop rates, streamlined progression and numerous quality-of-life improvements help soften the grind, newcomers looking for an easy continuation may discover that the expansion is less welcoming than they expected.

On PlayStation 5, the presentation remains excellent. Granblue Fantasy’s vibrant anime-inspired art direction continues to shine, with gorgeous environments, spectacular boss battles and beautifully animated special attacks creating a constant visual spectacle. The soundtrack once again delivers memorable orchestral themes that elevate both exploration and combat, while the controls remain responsive enough to support the game’s demanding encounters. The camera can occasionally struggle during particularly chaotic battles, especially when enormous summons and bosses compete for screen space, but it’s one of the few technical blemishes on an otherwise polished experience.

Ultimately, Endless Ragnarok succeeds because it understands what made Granblue Fantasy: Relink so addictive in the first place. Rather than chasing a dramatic overhaul, it expands the existing formula with meaningful progression systems, rewarding endgame content and enough new mechanics to keep veteran skyfarers engaged for many more hours. Those who only completed the campaign and moved on may not find enough here to justify the return trip, but for players who embraced Relink’s endgame, this feels less like optional DLC and more like the missing final chapter the game always deserved.

Score: 8.0/10

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