Um RPG extremamente único, com história e personagens excelentes.
O sistema de batalha é simples, porém ele possui seu charme.
As músicas são todas cativantes e dificilmente enjoam.
Realmente um clássico que deve ser jogado por quem curte JRPGs.
O sistema de batalha é simples, porém ele possui seu charme.
As músicas são todas cativantes e dificilmente enjoam.
Realmente um clássico que deve ser jogado por quem curte JRPGs.
Grandia II is a good example of how to make a sequel without repeating the original game. The setting, story and characters are quite different from the first Grandia, but the spirit is there, along with the superb battle system.
Grandia II again takes what might be a familiar setting, and takes it in unexpected and creative directions. We have yet another world living in the aftermath of a battle between two gods, their struggle faded to legend. Shockingly, an organization is working to revive one of them and destroy the world.
Against a familiar premise, we get extraordinary characters. The lead character, Ryudo, is such a mercenary and a jerk that I actually did not like him for a good chunk of the game, which is not great if you want to put yourself in their shoes. But the purpose of his characterization becomes clear as the story unfolds and his world view is challenged and his history emerges. There's actual character growth and in the end Ryudo had won me over as the reluctant hero doing what must be done.
And then there's Millenia and Elena, who have a decidedly, um, strange relationship. And once again, we get an initially unlikable character in Millenia who experiences significant character development, and is one of the most compelling antiheroes I've seen in an RPG.
The battle system is as great as the first Grandia, constantly engaging even during easy battles. There's something very satisfying about successfully anticipating enemy attacks and staging responses and counters just in time; watching a strategic plan unfold is constantly rewarding.
I didn't find the overall world as compelling or as inventively weird as the first Grandia. Much of the game felt more conventional and familiar, while Grandia's world was constantly surprising. But the story quite masterfully follows the first games gradual escalation from boots on the ground struggle to world-ending danger, so slowly and smoothly that it's never jarring. The scale of some of the battles and story beats in the third act were breathtaking.
I played on the Switch Grandia I & II HD remaster physical release, and once again I was reminded that this is a low effort remaster with muddy, smeared visuals. Fortunately I'll have the option of playing the original release on the Dreamcast soon. I played this on the hard setting, which addressed my lone major critique of the first game with its easy difficulty. I'll probably miss that with the DC release.
Even with the flawed remaster, I'm glad I got to experience this game, and I'm already looking forward to spending more time with these characters and exploring their world and story again. It's a shame the series did not continue, but we got two highly original, compelling stories from them and a huge cast of memorable characters. It's hard to ask for more from an RPG.
Grandia II again takes what might be a familiar setting, and takes it in unexpected and creative directions. We have yet another world living in the aftermath of a battle between two gods, their struggle faded to legend. Shockingly, an organization is working to revive one of them and destroy the world.
Against a familiar premise, we get extraordinary characters. The lead character, Ryudo, is such a mercenary and a jerk that I actually did not like him for a good chunk of the game, which is not great if you want to put yourself in their shoes. But the purpose of his characterization becomes clear as the story unfolds and his world view is challenged and his history emerges. There's actual character growth and in the end Ryudo had won me over as the reluctant hero doing what must be done.
And then there's Millenia and Elena, who have a decidedly, um, strange relationship. And once again, we get an initially unlikable character in Millenia who experiences significant character development, and is one of the most compelling antiheroes I've seen in an RPG.
The battle system is as great as the first Grandia, constantly engaging even during easy battles. There's something very satisfying about successfully anticipating enemy attacks and staging responses and counters just in time; watching a strategic plan unfold is constantly rewarding.
I didn't find the overall world as compelling or as inventively weird as the first Grandia. Much of the game felt more conventional and familiar, while Grandia's world was constantly surprising. But the story quite masterfully follows the first games gradual escalation from boots on the ground struggle to world-ending danger, so slowly and smoothly that it's never jarring. The scale of some of the battles and story beats in the third act were breathtaking.
I played on the Switch Grandia I & II HD remaster physical release, and once again I was reminded that this is a low effort remaster with muddy, smeared visuals. Fortunately I'll have the option of playing the original release on the Dreamcast soon. I played this on the hard setting, which addressed my lone major critique of the first game with its easy difficulty. I'll probably miss that with the DC release.
Even with the flawed remaster, I'm glad I got to experience this game, and I'm already looking forward to spending more time with these characters and exploring their world and story again. It's a shame the series did not continue, but we got two highly original, compelling stories from them and a huge cast of memorable characters. It's hard to ask for more from an RPG.