Grandia II

"Is Grandia 2 a port worth buying?"

I have the Dreamcast version of this, and the PS 2 version of this. What would I rather have? I would take the Dreamcast one any day. One reason is, the PS 2 one is not worth the money, for it's lousy extra cinematic scenes. I could go buy the $39.99 version of Grandia 2 on PlayStation, or the $19.99 or less on Dreamcast. You get basically the same stuff on Dreamcast, but the only thing you don't get is the Extra cinematic scenes. The graphics are the same, even though it's on PS 2. The only thing that is different is the sound quality. The Dreamcast sound quality was way more efficient than the PS 2.

Graphics: 8/10

I will have to say that. The graphics are good for cartoonish anime looking ones.

I would rather of seen it in a Characters animated, surroundings 3-D kind of way. That's how the first one was, and that was a great way to do it. To me anime style 3-D graphics just don't appeal to me, as it would the animation way. Though you can do a lot more in 3-D, but in animation you can at least give the character's mouth's. Anyone else notice, that they didn't give any characters facial parts, except for eyes. I have to say that, I did like the surroundings, they were able to bring it so alive. The best apart was how they mixed FMV's into the battle's with there magic attacks. Mixing FMV's into regular game play. Genius!

Sound: 6/10

The voice-acting was good.

I especially like Ryudo's, because he is the voice of Kaneda from Akira. Everyone else did a good job too. I didn't really like the music that much, it seemed to plain. Sometime's it didn't even go with the mood the surrounding was in. The sound effects were good, for commands, battle's, everything. It doesn't get annoying, like the Final Fantasy's do. I have to say the PS 2 didn't have better sound than the Dreamcast. That was the only thing Dreamcast was superior at than the PS 2 was, it's sound quality. A problem I had, in a special they would say something, but afterwards when it's done, you could hear them keep saying it in the background.

Gameplay: 9/10

Very fun, especially the battles...

I really liked their method on gaining skills, and magic. It was better because you had the decision on what to make stronger, and which you don't! Not like most games, were you don't get to decide anything on skill's. The camera based system was good to, easy rotation for the surroundings. I also liked the world map. You knew exactly where you were going, so you wouldn't be running around for hours. Looking for it. Also like the item variety, and weapon variety, and different attributes it gives. Like warp, very useful in getting across the battle field fast. Battle's were also good, you had little face's on a time meter, to tell you when you were going, and how fast you are going, to see if your going to go before the enemy. The only problem I saw was that it starts to slow down further into the game, like it takes forever to load stuff.

Story: 10/10

Alright, the story has to be the best part about this series.

I just like love, action, comedy games. We have Ryudo who is a straight up relaxed comedian, who not afraid of any situation. Than we got Elena who got's two different sides of her, good/bad. It's great how the character's involve after each situation they encounter. Never a dull moment, because the story line is always evolving so fast, or turning around in a different direction you would of never thought would happen in the game. This game might be short, but I would play it again, and again, just for the story alone. It has every element a story need's to be perfect.

Re-playability: 8/10

I would replay it, like I said just for the story, you can't do much in the game, so there's no reason of going back through, and trying to get everything, because you can the first way through without even trying.

Overall: 8/10

All RPG lovers will want to get this game. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a true RPG.

Sure it is not a good port, it has it's flaw's, but once you get past that it's good. If anything you could always waste your money and buy a Dreamcast, and this game alone.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/15/02, Updated 07/15/02