"The return of Grandia that does not dissapoint in story or battle, but its missing the charisma of the first one."

I must admit I loved the first Grandia when I fired it up on the Saturn. It was the shining RPG light next to Panzer Dragoon Saga and I loved every second of it. Now the sequel appears on the ailing Dreamcast and again I am loving it. But its missing the great charisma of action and adventure that made the first one such a blast. For one the opening scene is very nicely done with the hero getting the jump on some monster bandits, but as the scene ends you are thrust apon the trail to your next hunt. The shining innocence wanting to go on a big adventure is gone and dead, but Grandia2 is still a breath of fresh air in the dusty tombs of RPG fanfare, now starting to crumble without the greatness of the past. Still there is a future for RPGs, it is just unknown right now. Now Grandia2 still has the free flowing and action packed battle system that made the first one such a treat. Instead of the drab old menus, Grandia2 uses a action format with critical strikes to keep your target off balance and magical/physical skills and spells to blast and burn your enemies to dust. The unique weapon level up system of Grandia is gone with a focus on the spells and skills, that still makes Grandia2 a different breed from the RPG pack. There are some flaws that drag its legs down and makes it a clear target for the wolves of monotony. Grandia2's sweeping story of finding the parts to the root of all evil makes it different from the norm with one main character that is evil and a part of the evil. This is not new with characters like Vincent from FF7 but the sacrificial lamb is so engaging with her sultry airs and her seducement of the hero. Also the other ''good'' female mage in the end learns the truth and it is so well done it that makes Grandia2 a good weapon to destroy the wall of the RPG quagmire and break free from the stagnant waters. The game's main flaw is that there are some huge holes in the plot and the game is frankly too easy. While there is alot to do and learn, the story is mostly the main draw in the end. Does this make Grandia a bad RPG? I think not, it is ultimately saved by its stellar ending that ties everything together very nicely. The hero is also not your typical ''immune to danger'' swordsman, but instead suffers along with the world to his loss and denial to share it with others. In the end there is silence and that best sums up Grandia2.

The Controls of Grandia2 are very nicely done with the Dreamcast controller. You will quickly learn the simple field controls, and that is a plus. Exploring towns goes off without a hitch but exploring does not reward you all the time with items like other games, which may keep some from talking to everyone and exploring everywhere. Still the controls or camera rarely get in the way when exploring houses with a few flaws. You can't control the camera inside houses! This flaw is especally noticeable in the beastman village. With so many details makes you really wish you could focus more on them like Skies of Arcadia. But still the controls for battle and field are for the most part spot on.

Gameplay is your typical RPG deal with exploring ruins of the past and visiting villages and cities of the world to reach the end path to the end boss. Many of the dungeons are well designed with floating plants and highup rock paths. Like in the first Grandia you can stop at any town or city to have a meal with your party. You mostly talk and learn more about people which is great and seprates Grandia from other RPGs where the party is not as enduring. Battles are fought with patroling monsters, but there is thankfully no random encounters, a curse from the past in RPGs in my opinion. The boss battles are hard sometimes but with one very serious flaw. You can stop the boss or its parts from its train of attack or spells with critical strikes or skills that use critical strikes in their attacks. This makes the game every different from other games but it sadly makes the game too easy sometimes. You put your hard earned points in spells, but you gain these points so fast this also makes maxing the spells/skills and the game too easy. Still many of the spells/skills are eyeopeners with unique designs and weapon trails. All in all the game maybe easy but its a stellar game anyway and very polished.

The Sound of Grandia2 is very clear with great sound effects. Sword whips in the air and staffs break on flesh in a stellar sounding way. Spells also sound like they should with wind whipping and voice usage. Which goes to the next part, voice acting. While it can't compare to FFX or Xenosaga, the voice acting is not gonna grate on you. Some of the voices are great (I love Mareg's (the beastman) battle voice, but I hate the kid's (Roan)voice.) and some not so great. Ryudo (the hero) is pretty much in the middle and thats good cause you listen to him throughout the whole game. Elena's voice is much better then Yuna(FFX) but that's my opinion. Millennia's (the ''evil'' girl)voice is stellar with you even being able to hear her change.

The Music of Grandia2 is very well done with most the field and city music stands on its own, although some of the dungeon music is a bit annoying. The end music is very impressive and well as the menu music. Still music is not the strong point of Grandia2 even though it fits it so well.

The Story of Grandia2 is of course the main draw of the game. Its a RPG after all. At first it appears to be a simple RPG story of good versus evil and the hero saving the world, but after you get into the game you find this is not your typical RPG. For one the people of evil are not your enemies in the game. Another is that the root of all evil is not who it appears to be and that all I will say on the matter. The lives of the townsfolk can be heard in their stories, stories of a world almost broken in two. The theme of this abyss that seprates us was also in the first Grandia and it is well done in Grandia2. Many people sacrifice something to end the evil forever, to put hopes and dreams in the hands of the hero is powerful stuff and done beautifully here. The characters stick to your heart and its rare to find a RPG nowadays that does that to you. Thus I thank Game Arts for this game.

The Game Art of Grandia2 is done by Youshi Kanoe and its very good work. Sure its in the style of anime and has some details from other games, but the costumes of the characters are very oringial indeed. The layout of Mareg and Elena are great and Youshi is able to create the image of a huge beastman with a polearm and a white magic priestess perfectly. The battle drawings are great with well thought out movements and weapon strikes. I also love Tio's double chakrams and her smooth moments, and in the end Youshi is very creative. Thanks for your art Youshi Kanoe you really helped Grandia2 greatly.

The Replayability of Grandia2 is very low. But you can't really blame its a RPG after all not Tekken, thankfully. There are few side quests but there is a secret map filled with tough monsters for you to find. And playing though twice to see all the little details of the towns and townsfolk is not a bad idea at all....

In conclusion, I would say its up to you if you want to go through Grandia2 or not. Its story and characters are enduring and you can see the twists of the plot from a outsiders view, just like Ryudo has to. Grandia2 is pretty hard to find nowadays for the dead Dreamcast but I recommend it along with Skies of Arcadia. This game will surprise you with its stellar story and battle system. Sure this is not a Final Fantasy, and for that I am eternally grateful.....


My review by the numbers:
Controls-8
Gameplay-9
Sound-7
Music-6
Story-8
Game Art-8
Replayability-5
Overall-8 (not the average)

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/03, Updated 04/13/03