The demo for one of the most anticipated titles of 2024, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, just released today for PS4 and PS5. However, Steam is not featured into this demo launch despite being one of the platforms the game will be releasing on February 1.
Japanese developers Cygames announced the roll-out of the demo during their recent Granblue Showcase event. Cygames revealed its work on Relink to the public, including a breakdown of the main story, a boss fight, side quest structure, skill trees, and worldbuilding that players can now look forward to experiencing in the demo.
The demo features three different modes of play — “Tutorial Mode” allows you to get comfortable with the game’s controls while “Story Mode” is an introduction to the main campaign and includes an early portion of the story. Meanwhile, you have “Quest Mode,” which introduces you to multiplayer co-op alongside up to three other friends, or CPU-controlled party members, in what promises to be a more challenging experience than the battles found in the story. While the progress from the Story Mode does not carry over to the final release, players will nonetheless be provided with rewards upon completion of the demo that unlock in the full release.
Relink’s story takes place in a world of floating islands named the Sky Realm. As the captain of a skyfaring crew, you are joined by little dragon Vyrn and a young, mysterious girl called Lyria. Alongside a colorful cast of crewmates, including kings and misfits, you set sail for Estalucia, a fabled island beyond the end of the skies.
If you are new to Granblue Fantasy, Relink promises to be an excellent start for players into the franchise. Nonetheless, Cygames is offering players the opportunity to delve into a bit of backstory — the first seven episodes of Granblue Fantasy: The Animation are now available on YouTube for free, for a limited period.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink has been a long time in the making. Originally announced in 2017, the action RPG was co-developed with PlatinumGames. After a series of development shifts, Platinum departed the project in early 2019, leaving Cygames with full development control over Relink. Relink suffered another setback after being delayed from 2022 to 2024. Cygames and fans are no doubt excited for Relink to see the light of day after years of anticipation.
Smash Jump hopes that Relink continues the Granblue Fantasy success among Western audiences after Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising was recently released to critical acclaim. Download the Relink demo for free from the PlayStation Store.
More Smash Jump: Cozy up for the upcoming release of Hidden Through Time 2 on January 25, get ready for a new State of Play potentially coming in just a few weeks, and dive into the darkest dungeon as Legend of Grimrock comes to the Switch on January 15.