It's got a free to play version with rotating characters, the game has simpler inputs that are ENCOURAGED to use even at a higher level but still also has all our favorite motion inputs if that's how you want to play.

The lobby system is gotdamn beautiful. queue up into ranked or casual, explore the islands for hidden cabs to play on, PLAY FUTBOL with your player avatars, etc. The crane to unlock character colors, player badges, digital figures, etc. is neat and no premium currency that I know of. Coins and xp that you earn in single player modes (outside of story) could use some bumping up though.

The game's OOZING with fun, weeby characters with tons of personality, lots of character-specific dialogue pre- and post-match, each character has a progression pass to help you unlock colors and things for your favorite characters, AND YOU GET A PARTNER AVATAR OF ONE OF THE GRANBLUE CHARACTERS TO BE YOUR COACH DURING YOUR GAMES.

THIS GAME HAS CROSS PLAY SUPPORT AND ROLLBACK NETCODE (the good kind for my non-FGC friends).

The Granblue community, whether it be thru their mobile gacha, or GBVS previously, has been very kind and accepting to newer players and the game IS graspable to attain a level of skill that you'd be content with if you're coming into this game as a newer player.

It's training mode is great for both lab monsters and new players alike. if you want frame data, you've got it. if you want combo trials that let you freely practice to your heart's content, you've got it. If you want to learn how to punish a particular character's move, there's a real possibility the game has a lesson for it. If you want to learn your character's gameplan, the game has a lesson for it.

The game also has a Fall Guys mode using your player avatars, AND a visual novel/side-scroller beat'em up/fighting game/RPG story mode, so even if you're not big into the fighting game aspect, there are several other ways to enjoy the systems in the game on your terms. THESE MODES ARE (MOSTLY) AVAILABLE TO PLAYERS WHO ALSO PLAY THE FREE VERSION OF THE GAME (you only have access to the first of 3 chapters in story mode though.)

Do yourself a favor if you want to jump into a fun, accessible fighting game with a friendly community and try out Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising.