Grandia II

"For 20 Bucks, You Got Yourself a Decent Game."

Well, not a perfect port of the Dreamcast version (which I had actually owned when I had one), Grandia II is still a decent game that PS2 owners should check out at least once. Personally, I say it's well worth the 20 bucks that I had plunked down to pick the game up. But, I think Ubi Soft should've spent at least 3 more months ironing out the graphical glitches this game has.

Graphics: 8/10

Well, this isn't the Dreamcast version, I'll admit. But the game still looks quite good, the only things I've really noticed are some glitches with the spells (like Gravity, the ''circle'' is only a half-circle until the spell pulls your party closer together), and alot of slowdown (especially in the town of Lilligue). But for the most part, I can't really tell the graphics apart from one another other than in that aspect. I think had Ubi Soft spent more time ironing out the glitches, the game would've looked BETTER than the Dreamcast version. But hey, sometimes you gotta take what you can get, and for 20 bucks this is still a good deal.

Sound: 9/10

Well some pieces do get on your nerves (IE: Lilligue town theme, and the repetitive dungeon theme), most of them are great sounding. I find that most of the music in this game is better sounding than alot of the stuff from Final Fantasy. Sometimes the music in this game makes me forget about what is going on in my life (which I can tell you, is not all that pleasant), and the sound effects are also well done as well. Not to mention the voice-overs. Ryudo is so full of passion when it comes to fighting Melfice, that it's practically real. And it's all intact from the Dreamcast version.

Gameplay: 9/10

I'd give it a 10, but the slowdown does become a detriment at times to the game. But it can easily be forgiven though, still for 20 bucks this game is a must-have if you ask me. The controls feel natural, and the battle system is fun. The only thing is the slowdown.

Overall: 8/10

Great game for 20 bucks people, I suggest you go pick this one up, and give it a shot. You'll find it worth your while. I'd make this review a bit longer, but the thing is, I really gotta get going shortly. Got personal family business to attend to. But as I said, at least give this game a shot. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/27/02, Updated 07/27/02