Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s Endless Ragnarok Hands-On Revealed

Set to launch on both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 this Thursday, July 9, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok arrives as a colossal expansion designed to propel the high‑flying action RPG that first captured audiences in 2024 to new heights.

During a recent press event, we were treated to an exclusive developer showcase and an early hands‑on session, giving us an up‑to‑date look at the new features that will shape the Endless Ragnarok experience.

Newcomer captains can now test the waters with a playable demo of the core Granblue Fantasy: Relink title, available for download on the PlayStation Store.

Endless Ragnarok enriches the game with a brand‑new narrative arc, fresh playable characters, a revolutionary Summon battle mechanic, a challenging new quest difficulty, a Master Trait progression tree, and a dedicated single‑player endgame mode known as the Conflux.

At the heart of Endless Ragnarok’s new gameplay lies the innovative Summon system. By equipping summons that players acquire throughout the story, they can summon allies into combat and assume direct control over them. While a summon is active, the player’s character becomes invulnerable, turning the mechanic into a powerful offensive burst and a reliable counter against a boss’s most devastating moves. With a varied array of summons specializing in offense, crowd control, and support, the strategic possibilities expand dramatically.

The visual crescendo arrives with the Primal Burst feature. When the party completes a full chain of Skybound Arts under the right conditions, Lyria channels a potent follow‑up strike through a summoned ally, delivering a spectacular blow that can swing the tide of battle.

During our hands‑on review, we launched a save file positioned at the very start of the Endless Ragnarok storyline. As soon as the new chapter opens, the quest counter instantly elevates to its toughest tier: Chaos. Even the introductory quest—designed to teach the expansion’s mechanics—catapults players straight into Chaos‑level peril. This tier introduces ruthless new foes, such as the apocalyptic ragnalia beasts, and bosses that will aggressively employ a terrifying special move known as EX Burst.

Equipping summons in the game does more than simply call allies to aid you; each summon also grants a suite of passive bonuses and active skill effects to your captain. As players accumulate a diverse roster of summons deeper into the campaign, the art of crafting the perfect blend of passive stats and optimal summon timing becomes an addictive obsession. Moreover, the invincibility frames that activate during a summon serve as a critical safety net when the tide turns against you.

We also had the opportunity to test two of the most eagerly awaited playable characters: Gallanza and Beatrix. Gallanza exemplifies the classic powerhouse archetype, wielding a colossal spear‑axe that delivers sweeping, high‑damage strikes. Though his animations are on the heavier side, his expansive attack radius makes it a delight to break through enemy lines with a rhythmic barrage of heavy blows.

Beatrix, in contrast, is a highly technical combatant who forces players to juggle shifting offensive, defensive, and recovery buffs in real time. While she demands constant situational awareness and rapid decision‑making, her versatility allows her to adapt dynamically to any role within a party, making her mastery both challenging and deeply rewarding.

We concluded our session with the Conflux, a brand‑new solo‑focused mode. In this experience, players progress through a series of zones, completing specialized objectives tied to each area. After clearing a zone’s goal, you can select one of three temporary perks that remain active for the duration of that run. The gameplay loop revolves around methodically conquering rooms, stacking potent buffs, and pushing your limits as you delve deeper into the abyss.