082
modify every Skill by pressing either w or e
at the same time to give it a stronger variation.
For instance, Ladiva’s Headbutt Of Love does
more damage with w, but gains the ability for
a follow-up strike with e. Using these more
advanced moves means the cooldown will take
longer. So you’d better make it count.
The way each move is displayed also means
you can see what options your opponent has, so
you know what to watch out for or when’s the
best time to strike back. All the Skill variations
are laid out in the command lists, and are easy to
execute alongside the auto-combo system. Pulling
off a cool combo can be as simple as using Zeta’s
medium auto-combo, hitting q to mash her
unique spear attacks, then throwing out a Skill
with u. All the skills have technical inputs too,
more familiar quarter-circles or Shoryuken-
stick motions, and give the benefit of things like
shorter cooldowns or extra chip damage, so are
worth adding to your repertoire. It’s gran(d).
What’s great about Versus is how simple
inputs and technical inputs coexist, with no partof the game design feeling
compromised. The start of the
story mode has a great tutorial
that thoroughly explains things,
and an exhaustive glossary lays
out every move and fighting
game term. Training mode
has the works, from combo
guides for every character to
missions that challenge you to
exploit opponent characters’
weaknesses so you know how
to best them in a fight. At
every turn Versus gives you
the tools to make sure your
fighting dreams aren’t part of
that titular fantasy.TALE WIND
The anime-like visuals really
come to life in RPG mode,
which is where Versus brings
something new to fighting
games. It’s an original story
that has the skyfarer crew
hopping from island to island
trying to get to the bottom of
why some people are having
their memories altered. While
the story is simple enough, itprovides an introduction to
the charming characters, and
is packed with glossary entries
and detailed art revealing more
about the world, plus playable
side-quests that delve into the
backgrounds of the fighters.
Each quest you undertake on
each island plays like a fighting
game version of something like
Dragon’s Crown or Streets Of
Rage. Instead of always having
your back to the edge of the
screen you can turn at will,
and have to take on mobs of
enemies using all your skills.
Along the way you restore the
memories of other fighters
by beating them, after which
you can then play as them. As
you fight you earn treasure –
weapons that can be used to
boost your attack (and can even
be used to change the look of
a characters’ weapons), levelling
up like in an action RPG.
The larger boss fights are
the stars of the show. These
battles are ambitious, and
each has unique mechanics.“FIGHTING BOSSES FEELS EPIC
- BOTH MECHANICALLY AND
NARRATIVELY SATISFYING.”
Right Whether
you prefer
using arrows
to keep
enemies away
or throwing
catboys at
the problem,
Granblue has
you covered.Left It’s rare
that we’re
able to enjoy a
fighting game
in co-op.
‘Versus’ indeed.