Grandia II Review (Shin Force: Games: Reviews: Sega Dreamcast)

Grandia II

Reviewed
12.14.2001
Publisher
ESP (Japan)
Ubi Soft (USA)
Developer
Game Arts
Format
GD + CD
Origin
Import / Domestic
Available
Aug. 3, 2000 (Japan)
Dec. 5, 2000 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Easyl
Dimensions
3D
View
Multi 3rd Person
Genre
RPG
Player(s)
1
Options
Backup 9
VGA Box
Requires
n/a
Importable
70%

INTRO:

> Game Arts obviously spent a lot of money making Grandia 2. I really thought I would love this game, especially since it got better reviews than Skies of Arcadia some places, and I love Skies. The game should be good, too. But it isn't. The battle system is great, the graphics are wonderful, the spell and skill systems are innovative, the music is top notch, etc. It's all there, but the easiest, most repetitive, least challenging gameplay ever to grace a "game" absolutely ruins the entire experience. That and the juvenile, predictable, solve a problem in each town storyline, and completely linear nature of the game where you can't even go back to visit old towns.

GRAPHICS:

> These are the best RPG graphics yet. The towns are especially lovely. Although the battles are a bit bland and the creatures unimaginative and repetitive. The worst part of the graphics is the FMV spell effects, which, while I love the feel and look of them, are low quality FMV, which kinda ruins the effect. I also love the character designs, but not the portraits, which are kind of hokey. Overall some of the best graphics I've seen.

CONTROL:

> The control is good. The menu system is not to my liking though. It's this odd rotating dual ring of icons, which, while pleasant to look at and clever, is not as easy to use as a regular menu layout, but it is ok and didn't detract much from the game.

SOUND:

> The music is beautiful. All of the tracks are great, I listened to the free CD I ordered with Evolution 2 for months before the game came out. It is very high quality music, the only track I don't care for much is the battle theme, but that's because it reminds me of a Christmas song. Now then. Sound effects: Excellent. Voice acting: bad enough to make me ill from the first utterance of Ryoto. I just can't describe how much I dislike the voice acting. The best is when that whiney little kid says (in a whiney voice) "Expect an early winter, WITH LOTS OF SNOW" as he does a snow spell. It's not the worst, but I managed to block out most of Elena's battle lines. I just couldn't believe how bad the voice was, since this game was supposed to have great voice acting. And I would not complain so much but for the fact that you cannot turn it off! Very bad move.

FUN:

> Almost none. Add together a painfully bad story, zero challenge gameplay, and fully linear progression with no secrets or hidden items or anything but whats ahead. Regardless of the ear and eye candies, this game still is not fun.

BOTTOM LINE:
> You'll like this game if you appreciate playing a game for the sake of some "epic" story of love, friendship, and morals, or if you really like bad movies. If you want to play a game, get any other Dreamcast RPG, they are all better games than this one.
Overall: 6.8 | Graphics: 9.7 | Control: 7.8 | Sound: 5.8 | Fun: 3.8 ~ Jocelyn ~

Grandia II

Reviewed
12.08.2000
Publisher
ESP (Japan)
Ubi Soft (USA)
Developer
Game Arts
Format
GD + CD
Origin
Import / Domestic
Available
Aug. 3, 2000 (Japan)
Dec. 5, 2000 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Normal
Dimensions
3D
View
Multi 3rd Person
Genre
RPG
Player(s)
1
Options
Backup 9
VGA Box
Requires
n/a
Importable
70%

INTRO:

> Publishers take note: Ubi Soft localized a Japanese RPG for America within 4 months of its original debut! Now that's how to do it. I'd like to see more of this prompt action by various developers in the future. Come to think of it, Sega did localize Skies of Arcadia within weeks of its import debut, and plans to localize Phantasy Star Online within a couple months!

> On to the game at hand. Grandia first appeared on the Sega Saturn (after long delays) and wowed the RPG community with awesome graphics and gameplay. Those wanting an English version were disappointed when an American Saturn version was never announced. Some time later, the Playstation received the only English version. Not to break with tradition, the Dreamcast version experienced numerous delays. As you'll soon read, it was well worth the wait...

GRAPHICS:

> Oh my. When comparing the original screen shots to the actual ones, you can immediately see a possible benefit of delaying a game. Game Arts spared nothing to ensure that Grandia II pushes the Dreamcast envelope with great success. The towns are huge, beautifully detailed, somewhat animated, and usually bustling with activity. When venturing forth, your eyes will be amazed at the level of detail Game Arts included in the textures, topography, and sheer locale variety. Most of the magic is complex and impressive. Some of the most powerful spells even include FMV to showcase the immense power being summoned! Every now and then you'll run across a huge boss monster, complete with special attacks and magic galore.

CONTROL:

> While in cities, Grandia II has basic walk/search/talk gameplay. Just about everything occurs in a fairly linear manner, which I like. If there's one thing I can't stand in a RPG, it's wondering where you should go next. Game Arts made sure I would not be disappointed. Getting into battles is a matter of running into, or avoiding an enemy. I like battles, so I opt to engage in as many as possible.

> Speaking of battles, Grandia II has a unique system. Parties can gain tactical advantages before a battle, while fighting is fast and enjoyable. Friends and foes have an icon which moves on a bar from left to right. When it gets to the right, that combatant executes its command, and the icon resets to the left. If a combatant is hit with certain attacks, their icon will get pushed back to the left on that bar. Therefore, it is possible (if executed properly) to fight off an enemy without ever being attacked in return!

SOUND:

> Very nice orchestral background music is the norm here. Throw in the occasional fast paced rock song when things are getting hot. It's a good thing if you like this game's soundtrack because it comes packed with a sampler CD.

> Really good. Game Arts included a sound for nearly everything. Even environmental effects are mainly realistic. Surely surprising to others, the voice acting is excellent.

FUN:

> Grandia II combines just the right combination of searching, talking, fighting, and class improvement. Character development and variety is pretty good. Buying weapons is easy to decipher, and the ability to select magic spells to learn and hone is satisfying. Overall, it's very playable and interesting from start to finish!

BOTTOM LINE:
> Grandia II comes home to Sega Fans everywhere and proves that delays should not automatically be construed as a negative thing. It features detailed graphics, a great battle system, excellent voice acting, and a story that you've basically heard before. By any scale, Grandia II can only be judged an instant classic!
Overall: 9.3 | Graphics: 9.6 | Control: 9.5 | Sound: 9.0 | Fun: 9.0 ~ Necromancer ~

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