Grandia II

"Straightforward but very fun RPG"

Please note, if anything looks misspelled, it is really not, as I am Canadian and words are spelt differently here

In writing this review I took into account the fact that this game is a different class of RPG. Instead of having extensive periods of wandering or talking to townsfolk in order to find out where to go next, as in most RPG’s, Grandia 2 basically sends you straight to the next area after the one that you have just completed until you reach the end of the game. Through this approach, and the well-done character artwork, Grandia 2 plays more like an extended anime movie than a game.

GRAPHICS: 10
This is the criterion by which most games are judged before being bought, and Grandia 2 exceeded the graphics bar that was currently around when the game was released by a wide margin. The graphics are, of course, not compared to the best graphics that were on other systems at this games release (although *cough* the PS2 could not compare to this at the time), but rather the graphics of other games on the Dreamcast itself. Against these, Grandia 2 outclass’ them in all texture and character model quality (exempting Shenmue), and nothing comes close to the games incredible sixty-frames-per-second-at-all-times framerate. What is most impressive are the interior buildings, for although they are not pre-rendered like the recent Final Fantasy games, the details and overall graphic quality is equal to them at the very least, and if you include the lighting effects that are (technically) not possible on a pre-rendered surface, Grandia 2’s graphics engine actually beats the pre-rendered interiors. My only complaint about the graphics is the annoying lack of a button to press that would allow you zoom into a first person view, as in Skies of Arcadia, in order to more closely different areas of the game.

SOUND: 10
Although the dungeon music became repetitive by the end of the game, all of the other compositions are well done and memorable. The game even includes a music CD featuring most of the music from it. A standout on this CD is the song entitled “A Deus (SUNKING MIX)”, (and yes that is ‘sunking’ not ‘sinking’). The character voices were also well done (apparently the same people that localised Metal Gear Solid, worked on this), except for the frustratingly nasal voice of Roan. I imagine that his voice is what would happen if a forty year old man stuffed cotton into his mouth, pinched his nose, and tried to sound eight years old.

GAMEPLAY: 10
This is what should be considered the best thing about any game. Grandia 2’s battle system is the greatest that I have ever experienced in an RPG. It is an interesting hybrid of real time and turn based combat that keeps the monster battles continually fun to take part in (further verification that opposites do, in fact, attract). I also liked how the ability to see and avoid your enemy was implemented, as I do not play RPG’s for their annoying random battles. As I mentioned at the beginning, the game is very clear-cut, and because of this I will make no secret that the replay value is very low, as once you reach the end of the game, there is nothing else to do, no gathering of super items or raising of animals or anything else found in most modern RPG’s. I still can’t bring myself to give it any lower than ten, however, as the game was so much fun to play.

STORY: 10
I have heard a lot of complaints about this aspect of Grandia 2. Many people think that the story is uncomplicated and typical RPG fare, but I honestly see nothing wrong with it. Maybe I don’t play as many games as other people, but I thought that the characters were all sufficiently developed throughout the game and the story itself moved at a fast, but enjoyable pace. I guess there is nothing terribly original, but the same could be said for all RPG’s as of late. Its nice to see the focus shifting from creating a game that allows you to participate with dramatic, world changing events, to creating a game that allows you to participate with dramatic, world changing events, accompanied by well written dialog.

In conclusion, while this game is short (I took my time, talking to everyone in each town, and still beat it in twenty five hours), it is extremely fun and I would recommend it to anyone that owns a Dreamcast. To anyone that does not own a Dreamcast, I would recommend buying the system (only $50 USD at last check) and then buying this game. It is one of the few games that you will play for many hours, and not feel that your time has been wasted. I guarantee that you will be unable to pull yourself away from this game for long periods of time before you have completed it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/26/01, Updated 12/26/01