Endless Ragnarok demo for Granblue Fantasy: Relink out today

A free demo for Granblue Fantasy: Relink is available now on the PlayStation Store ahead of the Endless Ragnarok expansion, which launches on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on July 9. The expansion brings new combat systems, characters, difficulty content and a single-player endgame mode.

Developers presented the expansion at a press event and offered hands-on sessions. Endless Ragnarok introduces a Summon mechanic, six new playable characters, a Chaos difficulty rank that begins in the chapter’s opening act, a Master Trait progression tree and a solo endgame mode called the Conflux. New skyborne enemies and boss encounters are also included.

The Summon system lets players equip summons earned during the story and call them into battle. While a summon is active the player character is invincible, allowing the summon to be used both for strong offensive sequences and as a defensive counter. Equipping different summons grants passive bonuses and skill effects that remain active outside summon use.

Performing a full chain of Skybound Arts under specific conditions can trigger a Primal Burst. When triggered, Lyria follows up through the summoned entity and performs a large cinematic attack that deals high damage.

Two summons were highlighted in the demo. Furycane consumes a large portion of the summon gauge and performs fast tracking strikes and tornado combos that close distance and sustain damage. Managarmr moves more slowly and ends its duration with a blizzard that applies the Glaciate status, freezing enemies and creating brief crowd-control opportunities.

Chaos difficulty is available from the start of the new chapter, including the opening tutorial quest. Quests at this rank feature new enemy types such as the apocalyptic ragnalia and bosses that use an EX Burst attack. The EX Burst is marked by a purple aura on the boss; players must learn the telegraph and time dodges and counters to avoid or mitigate the attack.

The expansion adds six playable characters: Gallanza, Maglielle, Beatrix, Eustace, Fraux and Fediel. Hands-on time with Gallanza showed heavy, wide-reaching attacks from a large spear-axe that break defenses. Beatrix requires active management of shifting self-buffs that change her offense, defense and recovery options during combat.

The Conflux is a single-player endgame mode in which players move through sequential zones and complete objectives tied to each area. After clearing an objective, players choose one of three temporary perks that persist for the remainder of that run. Objectives and perk options change each run, and the mode is intended to provide a solo route to obtain rare materials and higher-tier equipment without multiplayer matchmaking.

Other additions include the Master Trait progression tree and new skyborne bosses such as Beelzebub and The World. The base Granblue Fantasy: Relink demo remains available on the PlayStation Store for players who want an early look before the July 9 expansion release.