Dreamcast

Grandia II

Some might claim Grandia II has a slightly rehashed plot, but I couldn't wait to get home from work every day to play another 6 hours of this superb RPG. If you own a Dreamcast, Grandia II most definitely belongs in your library.

While it remains a good RPG, there's a good chance that Skies of Arcadia and Grandia II could be the only two "classic" RPGs on the Dreamcast, and I wanted at least one of them to be as close to perfect as possible. Instead, I'll have to lump the good with the bad, and hope time will fade both into fond, rose-colored memories.

Do you like RPGs? Get this game. Even with the recent Dreamcast news, I would be tempted to buy a system just to play the first A-list RPG on the next generation consoles. Intriguing plot, flowing storyline, nasty bad guys, and a reluctant hero in a cool 3D world all add up to a top-notch experience. The game is rated T (Teen 13+), so pretty much anyone can play and enjoy this game. Consider this another jewel in the crown of quality Dreamcast titles.

För mig kom det som lite av en överraskning, men Grandia II är faktiskt ett av de bästa rollspelen som jag någonsin har spelat. Bara en sådan sak som att man ser fienderna hela tiden på skärmen och därför själv bestämmer när man ska slåss och när man ska hålla sig undan från strider gör spelandet friare än vanligt. Sedan gillar jag också att man ungefär som i ett plattformsspel kan rotera kameran och på så vis hela tiden utforska miljöerna ur nya perspektiv. Och eftersom karaktärsdesignen dessutom känns ordentligt genomtänkt har jag svårt att komma på en enda anledning till varför man inte ska skaffa det här spelet. I mitt tycke är Grandia II ett perfekt exempel på vilka storslagna äventyr genren har att erbjuda om man bara har lite tålamod.

A marvelous game and a great addition to the Dreamcast stepping stone library and a must have for those looking for a decent RPG, Theres been a dry out in the Dreamcast RPG genre, Grandia II Definitely presents itself as a answer to all your genre cravings and needs.

El resultado da lugar a un juego que se tardará muchísimo tiempo en ver igual de calidad en la 128 bit de Sega. Una obra maestra imprescindible para todo usuario de Dreamcast y amante del RPG en particular. Lo tiene todo: belleza, durabilidad, jugabilidad, banda sonora increíble...un serio candidato a mejor RPG jamás creado.

Un deuxième épisode qui fait honneur à son ainé, en apportant un style légèrement différent. Si certains l'apprécieront moins, il n'en reste pas moins un RPG à faire, grâce à un système de combat sans faille et un scénario intéressant de part les sujets abordés avec brio. Un hit, tout simplement.

Some may have a problem with Grandia II's lack of "modernness" or lack of pedantic customization of characters found in uber-heavy RPG's usually played in messy basements or on PC's (Morrowind this is not). Some may have a problem with it's general plot, which as I've stated before, is a tad generic. Some may have a problem with it just because it's a sequel to a really awesome game, and people have trouble dealing with that.But overall, I, personally, find it to be one of the most intriguing traditional RPG's I've ever played, it's definitely something you should have in your collection!

Grandia II is een RPG van klasse die elke adventure fan in zijn Dreamcast moet hebben zitten. Alleen voor de diehards vermoedelijk iets te eenvoudig.

Grandia 2 porte un nouveau regard sur le monde du jeu de rôle, décidément très à l'aise sur Dreamcast. Le titre de Game Arts, aussi beau que passionnant à jouer, se destine malheureusement à un public restreint, car la version finale restera intégralement en anglais.

While one can argue as to the elements of Grandia 2 being of lesser depth, characterization, and entertaining value than Skies of Arcadia, it should be noted that both are impressive in their own right. For a few weeks, as I am sure many industry colleagues and gaming circles alike, I held a series of discussions as to why I felt Grandia 2 was such an enjoyable title. Even with its linear direction and slight saturation of melodramatic proportions, Grandia 2 remains uncontested for the most innovative battle system on the Dreamcast to date. Add to that, a solid blend of customized features, an array of impressive visuals, first-rate translation, and a talented cast of voice acting - it becomes clear that the future radiates brightly for Dreamcast owners, especially with Phantasy Star Online just around the corner for the gamers to indulge when it hits stateside.

As for the plot, the Dark One is returning and you, the cynical and bitter outcast, must overcome your anger for the world and take him down. If you just got excited about this story, you need to put down your Game Informer and play through about three RPGs until you start noticing a pattern. I wouldn't call Grandia a contender for RPG of the year, but it's certainly a worthy addition to any gamer's collection and a must for RPG fans.

Chez Game Arts, on sait faire des RPG, et apparemment, on aime le prouver. Grandia II rate de peu la perfection mais comblera tout de même tous les fans du premier épisode ainsi que la plupart des amateurs de jeux de rôles à influence manga. Un titre à posséder sans hésiter.

At the moment, Grandia II is the best RPG available on the Dreamcast in Europe, and we strongly recommend you play it. Yet for all its strengths, we can't shake the conviction that the fact that every quality lies behind a twisted, yet predictable storyline will make the game inaccessible to most RPG-heads. Grandia II is an incredibly tough game to call - we hope it prospers enough for Game Arts to see their way through to a sequel, but if it flops in the West, it will be obvious why.

In the end, some will say Grandia II is a dumbed down experience with a less than moving storyline. While it is true that the sequel is a more linear and easier affair, there's still much to enjoy. The game's battle system is engaging and full of strategy, the characters are quirky and interact well with one another, and there are quite a few plot twists to break up the tedium of a quest that will eventually bring you face to face with the second coming of Valmar. Along the way, you'll watch as Ryudo comes of age, transforming from a brash thief into a honorable warrior of peace, only to watch in horror as Valmar's return is heralded by someone close to his own heart. Game Arts has put together a solid RPG with Grandia II, even if it isn't as deep or difficult as the original.

Grandia 2 ein wunderschönes Rollenspiel, im klassischen Japan-Stil. Ein sehr gutes Kampfsystem und eine packende Story garantieren viele Stunden Spielspass. Wer sich nicht am japanischen Anime-Stil stört und ein komplexes Rollenspiel sucht, sollte sofort zugreifen!

No matter how you cut it, GameArts’ sophomore release will leave a disgusting taste in your mouth. Steering away from the youth-gone-wild theme, the story is supposedly more controversial and adult oriented. Well, you could have fooled me. All I see are a bunch of stupid kids trying to save the world again in another completely unoriginal story that appears to be penned by an 8-year-old. The actual gameplay is decent, and for the second time running, the combat is invigorating and inventive – often surprising you with its depth. Even so, the story is complete rubbish, and there’s no reason to play a game for 20-plus-hours if you don’t enjoy the quest.