Grandia II

"Review for the ps2 version this is not a DC comparison"

People grade Grandia II for the PS2 badly. The DreamCast version may be superior in terms of texture and movement in the villages, but this is still a great game.

My review will be on the GAME and it will not be COMPARING the DC and PS2 version. I got this game for the GAME and that is what I'll talk about.

I recently got FFX, and I've played the majority of the FFX games, but I grow tired of the battles after awhile, and I wanted something more colorful, exciting, and fun, but don't get me wrong, I still enjoy most of FFX. However, I like anime and fun games, and those together is what I believe Grandia II is. The music is great, I love the happy town themes, to the slower, more serious tunes 'like A Deus. The battling makes me want more, and this game rocks.

Battling

The battle themes are what I like most though, the overdriven guitar and fast paced battling rocks and I actually try to fight all the enemies I see...and I'm not bumbed out when I have to battle, like when I walk around in FFX or any other random encounter game. A big part of this game is the BATTLE SYSTEM. The battle system in this game rocks. You can see when the foes are going to attack, which lets to choose to cancel them and knock their waiting period back, or use a move to finish them off before they can do it. The magic and moves look cool and are entertaining to watch as well, and the ability and magic is learned through a coin system that lets you learn them faster than in most games. This battle system is FAST too, from the screen that puts you into it to the pace of it, and the music only adds to it.

10/10

Gameplay

Grandia II's gameplay is pretty straight forward, but it is some of the best in a role playing game. The ability to move the camera like in Xenogears and Grandia I is a great feature so you can see what is all around you. The movement of the characters is good, although this is where I must take a point from the gameplay because this port has rather obvious slowdown in some cities, making it a bit annoying to run around and move the camera quickly to explore towns, though it doesn't take away from the game. The battle gameplay is great too, it's easy to navigate your options as well as in the menu.

9/10

Sound/Music

Like I've said many times, the music in this game rocks. Some of the songs that I like are:

'A Deus' - The main song basically Which is a more calm song, and well put together. The lady who sings it does the music for Macross Plus. There is also a remix 'A Deus [Sunken mix]' I believe is its title.

'Carbo' - music from the first town, cool song, upbeat and enjoyable.

'Agear' - Though a desert town, more of a tropical style feel in the music.

'Dangerous Zone' - Overdriven Guitar butt rock, there is a lot of guitar in the tense moments and battle music.

'Granasaber' - A very well orchestrated song.

'Fight! Ver. 1' - Pretty much your main battle theme, though my favorite in the rpgs I own.

'Purification of Darkness'/'Melfice Battle' - A good song, sounds like a mixture of Legend of Mana and Brave Fencer music.

''Ver.3 Boss Music'' - Another crazy butt rock guitar song, I like this one a lot.

''Ver.4 Last Battle'' - Another good rockin battle theme, you should get the battle songs soon, NOW if you can.

So, yar, music gets 10/10

Graphics

The Graphics in this game are not incredible. From what I have read, I understand the dc versions lighting and textures were a truly great sight, but the graphics in this game do not hinder me from enjoying it. I prefer 2D rpg's, Suikoden is my favorite series, so I enjoy the anime look and colorful cartoon feel to this game. The battle do look nice though with the magic and abilities, a mix between hand drawn and computer graphics.

7-8 out of 10

overall

I give this game a 10 out of 10 over all for the game itself. I know There are some slow down times, but I have not experienced them as much as others say, so I have and will continue to enjoy this game. I haven't liked a role playing game like I like this one for a long time. In my opinion it is better than FFX and the other rpg's for ps2 and a couple on other systems as well as ones before the ps2.
If you want a fun rpg with great music, get this game, if you have a dreamcast, get that version, it really is a great game.

10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/04/02, Updated 02/04/02