Customer Reviews

Grandia II

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ok I was a little mad when I saw the reviews of this game. How can you write a review when you don't even HAVE this game? Well I have this game and I am here to tell you how good it is. First of all this game is fantastic, the graphics are the best for Dreamcast yet and the battle system is completely amazing. The best way to describe the battle system is like lunar: SCCC's battle system in 3D. Also in the battles everyone can be moving at the same time. Another thing about this game is it is SO detailed. In some of the stores you can knock over bottles or knock a picture out of place. Another example of the great detail is in the battles. When a character hits a bad monster, the character blinks there eyes, and when you hit them, you might yell AAAHHHHH or another thing. These are just some of the great things about this game. I won't keep going on telling you how good this game is, you will just have to play it for yourself. This game took me about 30 hours to beat and I literally spent about 10 of my hours battling because it was so fun. Now after you read this I hope you buy this game, the story is excellent and it can be emotional at times. Do not pass up a great game like this, because I can not tell you how good it is and how it changed my life.

At first when I played this game I wasn't that impressed. The story and characters tended to be your standard RPG fare: a young, arrogant, spikey haired hero who yields a big sword; a young beutiful innocent female sidekick who knows magic; typical good vs. evil storyline. However, several hours into the game I got hooked. The graphics don't start out that impressively, but by the time you get to the meat of the game and experience the battles for the first time, I was really impressed. The music is standard RPG fare with a mix of pop, rock, and classical. By far the big draw of Grandia 2 is it's amazing battle system. For the first time in an RPG, I actually look forward to battling monsters. In fact, I'm actually running into monsters on purpose in order to experience a fight. The battles load fairly quickly and are beatifully presented in 3-D. There's a great mix of real time 3-D and prerendered FMV in the hundereds of spells that you can cast. The FMV is refreshingly unique and makes it appear as if you're looking at an anime movie. This battle system should be the standard for all future RPGs. Its that good.

After beating ... out of Skies of Arcadia twice, I told myself, "Self? You need another RPG." So I picked up Grandia II. Good points first. The battle engine is excellent. Characters just don't run up to the enemy, strike, then go back to their original position. They are moving around, which makes you think out a battle strategy. Everything from which magic our item to use, down to the basic question in this game, especially when fighting bosses, "Do I have enough time to cancel this guy's attack before he wipes me out?" The graphics are very good, too. It's a funky mix between polygons, CGI, and Japanese anime. pretty wicked. You'll understand what I mean when you use Ryudo's Dragon Zap, or Millenia's Fallen Wings. The storyine starts out great, but somewhere along the line it turns into a theological discussion on good, evil, and religious beliefs. But it was enough to keep me interested. To this date, other than Soul Reaver, I haven't heard better voice acting in a game. you will definitely be suprised. By far, my biggest problem with this game is that it was way too short. Ususally, when I play an RPG, I like to fight whatever I can, whenever I can. Being that in this game, you can see where you enemies are, I was in heaven. By doing that I put myself slightly ahead of the game. Beating bosses were not a problem. So, in the end, I ended up clearing Grandia II in 3 days (it didn't help that I purchased the game on a Friday. I played it all weekend). Also, don't be fooled. The jewel case says that there are 2 discs. This is true, but one disc is the game's soundtrack. But all in all, this game is great. But to this date, Skies of Arcadia is a better game. If you have neither game, buy Grandia II first, then buy Skies, so you won't be dissapointed.

"Grandia II." What else is there to say? The original Grandia was an instant masterpiece (the Saturn version, mind you). Does this one live up to the first? Hmmm....

To start off, the story (spoiler-free) is as follows: Ryudo, a cold-hearted, cynical Geohound (a mercenary for hire), is entrusted to bring Elena to a ceremony. However, something goes wrong, and Ryudo must go on a journey to protect those which he hates the most.

The gameplay is very straight-forward and linear. Alright, let's compare it to "Zelda: Majora's Mask." in Zelda, you could go ANYWHERE in the field. In Grandia II, you are only allowed a choice of going to three places in the entire game. Which is truly sad, because that could have made this a much better game.

The character development in this game is something that is truly rare. You will see romance blossoming between Ryudo and Elena, and many other relationships with the other members of your party. Not to forget the truly sad and dramatic interaction between Ryudo and his brother.

Now, here's the highlight of the entire game: the battle system. It combines real-time and turn-based fighting into the best system ever invented ever. Here's a brief description of how it works:

All the members in your party are located on a bar that has COM in the middle-right, and ACT at the far right. Once your character reaches COM, he/she can input a command. The character then moves from COM to ACT and right when it reaches ACT, the character will perform the command. Amazing, isn't it?

The graphics in this game are awesome. Not in the realistic way, as you might think, though (like in "Shenmue"). The characters have no mouths (which is also kinda good, as there is more flexibility in voice-acting translation). Most Special and Magic moves have CG effects and the actual overworld has some great cinema movies.

The replay value is so-so. Once you beat the game, there are no real reasons except just to fight some enemies (which is still fun).

Overall, this is a great RPG that has no equal on Dreamcast, save for "Skies of Arcadia" and "Phantasy Star Online." If you have Dreamcast and are a RPG fan, you'd be an idiot to skip this one.

I don't know what kind of personal vendetta the above reviewer has against Grandia 2. Whether the game beat him up, or peed in his shoes is beyond my knowledge, I have to step up and defend this aweseom Dreamcast game.
As one of few stellar and eagerly awaited RPG's for the system, and for it's time. Grandia 2 shines. Whether it is the deeply constructed battle system, or the better than ever voice acting, Grandia 2 was a game that I couldn't stop playing.

The story, while it was not up there with the giants like Chrono Trigger, Panzer Dragoon Saga, or Phantasy Star, it had it's moments to be remembered. Despite being typical RPG character cliches, (The female healer, the angsty young buck that'll save the world once he confronts his feelings, the huge axe wielding silent guy) they do an above average job of fulfilling these requirements.

Get this game, especially since its cheap now.

Along side Skies of Arcadia, Dreamcast owners have another RPG to go nuts over. The sound, graphics and gameplay make Grandia 2 an outstanding RPG that everyone should check out. First, the graphics are just fantastic. The further into the game you get, the better this game looks. Fantastic character designs, great looking towns and amazing spell effects using FMV round out the visual package. The sound varies from fantastic music to music that doesn't seem appropriate to the situtation. Sound effects are solid, and the voice overs that are present are high quality (not the best but very good). The translation looks spot on as well with no major errors in the text. And the biggest standout is the amazing battle sysytem. By FAR the best battle system this real-time/turn-based system works incredibly well that adds real depth and strategy to an RGP component that can get very tiresome over time. With all that shiny goodness, there are some flaws. Grandia 2 is pretty formulatic, with a pretty tried and true story (it's still a good one though), and quite linear, as you are pretty much led from town to town, event to event, boss to boss with no real exploration of the map to be done. Beside that, it's a fantastic game with a great Soundtrack included. Highly recommended.

I'm sure you've heard it before... "It's really fun, but the storyline bites!" Well, I'm here to try and change your mind. First, let me address the graphics. Oh, the graphics... Solid, beautiful graphics. I bought my Dreamcast solely for this title, having seen the graphic style, and I wasn't dissapointed. I spend every minute possible just admiring the amount of detail put into this lovely game. The graphics are the best to be seen on a console, purely because the awesome style. Seconldy, let's talk about the sound aspect. Not much to say here, other than I love it. A mixture of guitar rifts, and your basic RPG score, nothing but amazing. The voice acting is splendid, also. Thirdly, gameplay, one of the best aspects of this oh-so-perfect game. The battle syetm, it's utterly incredible! I actually find myself running into monsters just so I can battle. It's pure genius. The presentation is nice also, it's easy to navigate, and is quite the eye-candy. Control should also be addressed. I have no gripes whatsoever with the control, it's tight, and easy to learn. Lastly, the subject of most controversy concerning this game, the storyline. People who say it is predictle, while they may be somewhat right, are ignorant. You may have an idea of what the next twist might be, but I often found myself completely wrong. No doubt, if you're an RPG fan, you should own this game. Buy it, even if you have to buy a Dreamcast, it'll be well worth it.

Grandia II was one of few must have RPGs in the Dreamcast arena. Somewhat formulaic with its plot development, twists, and pacing; the battle system and script writing engages the player and pulls you deeply into the story.

First is the battle system. Using the basis of the excellent (possibly the best) system first seen in Grandia II's predecessor, we are treated to lively action that makes you feel as if you're out there throwing commands out to the characters while trying to stab a 6 foot tall spider in the face yourself. Never growing stale, and well balanced, you'll find yourself *never* avoiding a fight.

Lack of random battles: Just as Grandia I and much like the top notch Chrono Cross and the wonderful Chrono Trigger before it, Grandia II shows enemies on the dungeon map. You can sneak up on enemies to get an advantage, dodge around many of them, or just charge head in and open a can of whoop on them.

Characters: While not always the most developed of an RPG, you start to pick out the likable characters and associate with them mostly through the multi-layered interactions with NPCs in every town section. One of the strongest aspects of the Grandia series has been the extensive scripts that all characters in your party and the town NPCs have. You'll talk to every NPC at least three or four times just to see what they'll say different. Your party members interject; interrupt; insult; joke; and converse among themselves; with you; with the NPCs; adding quite a *real* feeling to most conversations. If you don't blow twice as much time in town talking to people as you do roaming the countryside... you're doing it wrong.

The voice acting isn't too bad, and definitely not something that you suffer through. The main character's voice actor, Cam Clarke, (Liquid Snake-Metal Gear Solid, Medivh/Malygos/others - World of Warcraft, Kaneda - Akira, Simba - Kingdom Hearts II, his list goes on. Wikipedia people. Wikipedia) is excellent. Some of the remarks and comments made by him is so perfectly done that it lends credit to the character's attitude and makes you wonder if the VA was also having a bad day...

Plot:
Here's where it get's interesting, the first 3/4 of the game has a rather predictable plot... then you get to the Eye of Valmar. *NEVER* read a spoiler for the story. You will ruin the best thing about the game. Let me just say that the last 1/4 is a phenomenal turn point that will have you slack jawed as you do what you never thought you would in a (up to this point) light hearted game as this. After this turning point, the writers don't fail to attack any aspect of society; that you will rarely see in a game. Church, Science, Sociology, Theocrocy, Genocide, and Morality. None of it will come away untouched... for better or worse.

*STOP HERE FOR SPOILER* A complete teardown a church, state, and history occurs. I can think of no other game that take the protagonist, pits him against the church, that is evil (that's right.. the *church* is evil. And they were complaining about the messages in GTA.;), and sends him to become a god equal to the other gods in the game.... Can't think of many RPGs where you kill more people in the last 20% of the game than you killed in all the Final Fantasy games combined.

It is the best role-playing game i have ever played.Lot of action.

This is a masterpiece in gaming history, one of the best DC games ever made and one of the best made ever! This is a great rpg, everthing about this is amazing, the graphics, the gameplay, the music, the story, there is nothing I didn't like about this game. If you have never played an rpg in your life this is a great place to start, this will make you love rpg's, the story in this game is a great one and also a very sad one, I don't want to destroy the plot development so I won't tell you the story, doing that will destroy your gaming experience. Many different twists and adventures in this game, a long and beatiful journey, this is just something I can't explain in words, im almost out of words, it's hard to describe the feeling you get when you play this game long enough and see how the story progresses.Anyone who says this game is not great, ... is just a fool who knows nothing, the way you fight in this game is very unique and very good, the cinematics are just beautiful, the scenery is amazing, the night sky brightened by stars and the beautiful clouds, sunsets,storms, water falls. This is just a total masterpiece. I should also add that some of the special attacks such as, Starving Tongue, Fallen Wings and some performed by the enemies look fantastic, they are actual cinematics that mixes in with the fighting. I highly reccomend this game, I think every DC owner should buy this game, it is now my favorite game of all-time, the game itself is only 1 disc, the other disc in the package would be a soundtrack of some of the games music selected by the composer, but not all the songs in the game are in the cd, one of the saddest songs not being on the soundtrack was kind of a let down,the song when the daughter or a suspected "witch"(shes not a withc) dies, you the boy gets sick when playing with the girl in the garden, but what can you do! Well like I said, get this, and be thankful if you could even find it!