Grandia II

"Ugly and offensive but worth trying if you're bored"

Grandia 2

After the success of Grandia, it seemed the right thing to do to make a sequel. However, there was upset and controversy when it was acknowledged the game would hit the Dreamcast, which was needing a stellar RPG to it's console. Many have considered this a setback for the game. I agree with that. If they had spent more time producing the game, correcting it's many flaws, then it could have been the first and possibly the pedestol for RPG's for the playstation 2. Yet they allowed their biggest mistake and settled for the backseat, allowing the fewest flaws of FFX to be ignored and handed over the crown without a fight.

However, there was a conversion to the playstation 2 after it's moderate success on Dreamcast. But the game suffered major criticism and reviews near enough slated the game license itself completely. The only sympathy Grandia received was the broad minded gamers who were willing to try the game, they managed to excuse the games downfalls. But if the inspiration for the hate of Grandia 2 relied on the fact that Ubi Soft didn't moderate the game for the playstation 2, then I think the game was hard done by. Is this game bad?.

Not entirely. If you had affection for the first game, then you can relate to this game and enjoy it. But you'll find it has no qualities to place it on the holy ground it's predecessor lives in. Grandia 2 has no star quality about the game whatsoever, it's a case of seen it all before. But the concept of a sequel to that game makes it at least intriquing to play.

It's never a good idea to try and replicate an amazing plot in a sequel, so work for something original. Grandia 2 did a half ass job of this. The game is still an adventuring feel to it which is a good trait in this series. But you feel there are certain replacements in this game from the last. So you are Ryudo, who is a few years older than Justin. He is a geohound, Grandia's terms of mercenary who is hired to protect a songtress named Elena. However, her mission to save the world from Valmar (Replacement for Gaia from the first game.) gets tied in with his hidden emotions and he ends up falling in love with Elena and her counter self, Millenia, the wings of Valmar herself. Religion is the bad topic in this game as God seems to be the enemy which is too ironic and too much to deal with. If you want to use an explosive issue, then do it with style and thought. That's something that the Final Fantasy series does very well in it's games, which is a shame for Grandia 2. There isn't much depth in the plot, it's not emotionally innovating but it is adequate to keep you playing for a while, which is something it should be proud of, instead of complete ignorance.

The graphics for the first game were suprisingly popular. So was it time for 3D. Of course, this is next generation gaming, not even platform games have 2D nowadays. And Grandia made it's first step into that direction. Now I hope that Ubi Soft were under a tight budget because there is really no excuse for these poor graphics, even on Dreamcast standards. The FMV is pretty but the normal graphics are cheap, tacky and a really bad use of colours. This is probably the most disgusting aspect of this game. However, in the battle mode, things start to pick up a little. The use of magic in this game is the same format as the FMV, which is a nice feauture to have. But ultimately, there is nothing that appeals, only disgusts.

The gameplay is the exact same from the first game but because of the mediocre plot, the gameplay also enters that catergory almost. The case is village, dungeon, boss, village. Simple formula that works well but can be repetitive, especially when weighed on with the other bad points of this game. The battle mode has improved immensely. And there is a new system on learning spells and improving your weapon moves. Instead of the star efficency improving on the amount of times you use the move, the fights you win give you magic points and skill points which can be traded in for stars. It's a neat, cool and original which saves some grace for the desperation of this game. There is no dynamics or anything intense that will grip you but it's not completely bad. But you won't enjoy this game if you haven't played the first game. That's a fact.

Finally onto something positive. The sound. Like the previous game, the music in this game is mesmerising. It doesn't lack in any form at all and is perfectly toned with no glitches or distortions. The voice acting is also back on track with great actors playing the parts. Jennifer Hale, Kim Nyugen and Paul Eiding, from the Metal Gear 2 game provide their talents here. As far as sound affects go, there is nothing outstanding, but neither was Grandia so there is nothing to criticise but only room for improvement in sound effects.

Characters are important in RPG's. Blah blah blah. Unlike the Final Fantasy series, who create characters with the same personality in each game, Grandia experiments and breaks some ground. Justin, from number one, would be a hard hero to replace but Ryudo makes a great exception. His cyncism and emotional background give him a sense of nobility which I respect. Milennia is another great product of the bitch with a frosty heart who learns the ways of good. However, Mareg is just a wannabe patch on Gadwin from the previous game. All in all, there are numerous characters that provide different aspects.

It's a huge possibility that if you do manage to complete Grandia, then you won't replay it. There are too many faults in this game that damage the appreciative name of Grandia. I hope that this installment doesn't dent any confidence because I'd put my money on this one to be a contender for best RPG of all time if Ubi Soft can tactifully recover from a couple of dodgy games. Fair enough the chances are small but if Ubi Soft can conceive their ideas carefully and thoroughly, then they may be able to be forgiven for this mess.

Gameplay: 7
Graphics: 4
Sound: 10
Plot: 5
Replay: 1

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 04/05/04