Endless Ragnarok comes in with plenty to prove, and after some solid time with it, the takeaway is clear: it’s exactly what most people are calling it — a substantial, well-crafted update to the endgame rather than a full reimagining of the core experience. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does shape how the rest of the content should be judged.
The base game already struggled with a problem that’s becoming all too common in modern action RPGs: there’s little to no real reason to play on harder difficulties. Casual mode comes with no meaningful drawbacks, so you can blow through the entire main story without ever touching the systems the game tries to teach you. That was a weak point even before this expansion, and Endless Ragnarok somehow makes it even worse.
Overview
-
Developer: Cygames
-
Publisher: Cygames
-
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 (reviewed)
-
Release Date: July 9, 2026
-
Price: $59.99
The Story – Fun But Formulaic
Granblue Fantasy: Relink follows a sky-pirate captain and the most wholesome anime crew as they sail into a new skydom in search of the captain’s father and the fabled wish-granting island of Estalucia. They promptly crash the party, casually summon Bahamut, lose control of it, and tumble headfirst into the local drama.
Before long, you find yourself aiding villagers as an obviously evil cult summons apocalyptic forces, giving everybody a bad time. Big monsters, bigger swords, heartfelt talks about friendship, escalating stakes, and the usual punchout with god-style finale. It’s your typical save-the-world scenario: look amazing while doing it and act like the plot wasn’t mostly just an excuse for over-the-top combat.
The Conflux – More Power, Less Challenge
The new Conflux content is a blast on its own, but it also makes the main adventure feel even easier. More systems, more power, and more ways to crush content that was already too forgiving just stack overkill on top of an existing issue. It’s a weird mix where getting cool new toys that are fun in the moment also chips away at the campaign you’re still supposed to care about.
Once you finish the main story and get to the heart of why this expansion exists, things really start to shine. A handful of new characters join the roster, and while most are strong additions with unique playstyles, one absolutely steals the show: Beatrice. Just like in the fighting game spinoff, she’s a complete standout. Her presence, attitude, and perfectly crafted kit make her feel like a headlining character rather than just extra content, and her fans will feel instantly at home.
Local Co-Op – A Rare and Welcome Surprise
The biggest surprise, though, is the addition of local co-op, which genuinely caught me off guard. Think about the last time a co-op action RPG came to a Nintendo system that wasn’t Monster Hunter or Snack World — it’s been ages. Co-op RPGs really feel like they’re making a comeback, and it’s refreshing to see a company still committed to local multiplayer instead of treating it as an afterthought.
Summon Stones – The Expansion’s Best Feature
One feature that really makes this expansion worth diving into is the summon stones. These handy abilities let you call in some of the most destructive and occasionally hilarious agents of chaos from the story. Some summons are pure comedy, while others unleash truly fearsome forces that fans of the narrative will instantly recognise.
What makes the system shine is that summons aren’t just a flashy button press. They bring unique, engaging controls when they appear to help in battle, and equipping them directly influences your build. Each summon adds new traits and stats, so picking one isn’t just about the spectacle. It genuinely shapes your character’s performance. It’s easily the most thoughtful feature in the entire expansion.
Combat – Still a Knuckle-Buster
Sadly, the combat hasn’t changed much, and fatigue kicks in quickly. At its heart, Granblue still feels like a knock-off Monster Hunter, and not in a good way. While Monster Hunter, even with its updates, keeps fights grounded and deliberate, Granblue pushes you to endlessly mash combo strings just to keep up the pressure and maintain your damage.
I spent a good chunk of time maining Lancelot, and while his kit looks great on paper, the constant inputs his playstyle demands left my thumbs exhausted. The bigger problem is that bosses have such inflated health pools that this nonstop button-mashing becomes a real chore during long fights. If enemy health were more reasonable, the repetitive strain from the combat system would be much less of an issue.
Verdict – Worth It for Veterans, Skippable for Others
That’s the real question, and the answer falls somewhere between yes and no. The original game was a solid experience, but bosses have always felt like bloated health sponges that drag things out, and that hasn’t changed here. The multiplayer endgame is really the only part of this expansion worth investing time and effort into, as the main campaign can still be casually cheesed without any real consequences.
There’s still something to admire about a studio sticking with local co-op when so few others bother. Endless Ragnarok doesn’t reinvent Granblue Fantasy: Relink. It’s the same core game, just with some extra content tacked on to keep veteran endgame players grinding for a few more weeks.
If you loved the base game and wanted more reasons to jump back into multiplayer, this expansion has you covered. If you were hoping for fixes to the main story’s lack of challenge or the tiring combat loop, you’ll be waiting a bit longer.
