Grandia Xtreme

"Xtreme nails combat but falters on the rest."

Introduction: Grandia Xtreme is a rare RPG by today's standards, and for one reason, it completely focuses on combat while most console RPG's rely heavily on storyline. This game improves on the Grandia combat engine in every way with the addition of being able to junction your mana eggs and learn combo attacks with a different combination of characters.

Graphics: The character models in Grandia Xtreme look really nice and so don't the monster designs, but the environments are quite drab and lifeless. In some of the dungeons there is even draw in.There isn't a hint of slowdown throughout the game(Unlike Grandia 2 on the PS2)which makes the dull environment graphics bearable. On the plus side the spell effects are a sight to behold.
Score:7/10

Gameplay: This is where Xtreme shines, the combat system is a blast because it is a mix of realtime and turn based fighting. The actions take place in realtime but combat stops when someone has to attack, use magic, etc. The special moves you learn throughout the game are useful and level up the more you use them and junctioning eggs makes for some potent magic spells. The new skill system allows for some great customization of which is rarely seen in console RPGs these days. The addition of combo attacks ,which are discovered by using the right special moves at the right time, are quite useful and are a good addition to the battle system. All in all Xtreme's combat is nearly flawless.
Score:10/10

Storyline: This is where this game really suffers. The storyline in Xtreme wouldn't be so terrible if it actually had good character development. The voice acting is quite bad for most characters, except for Evann, Brandol, and Kroitz. The most unbearable voice would have to be Specto's, it's just plain terrible. The storyline also lacks any real spark and seems quite forced in areas to the point where it just gets silly. They try to add more story towards the end but it's already too late. There is a second ending after you beat the game and get the first ''ending'' if it even counts as and ending (hint: it sucks).
Score:3/10

Conclusion: In the end this game is just an excuse to clear out dungeon after dungeon of enemies, while jacking up your characters in the process. Even though that's basically what the game is it's still a blast to play.

Buy or Rent: Buy it now!!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/21/02, Updated 11/21/02