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.

Une conversion fidèle pour un très bon RPG. Représentant d'un genre rare sur PC, ce Grandia 2 saura séduire tout ceux qui aiment le genre et qui n'ont pas de console. A vos manettes !

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!

I won't go too far into the controls. They've remained faithful to the DC version, so the game has no true analog support and you only have two motions of movement with Ryudo; walking and running. The controls are user-friendly, very typical RPG stuff, nothing at all to even gripe about. So to conclude, those looking for some more role-playing ecstasy owe it to themselves to give Grandia II a look-see. It's not an overly-complex RPG that will you have you scratching your head, but it isn't shallow and easy, as the game does have challenge. While it's aesthetic field may not be astounding, the gameplay is in fact so. With one of the best combat engines in the genre and an engaging cast of characters, Grandia II is a must-have.

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.

Die PS2-Version krankt etwas an typischen Umsetzungssymptomen. "Grandia II" war seinerzeit auf die Fähigkeiten des Dreamcasts zugeschnitten, es wurde also viel wert auf Texturen gelegt, welche die PS2 eben nicht so gut darstellen kann. Auch die anderen Macken gehen auf das Konto der unterschiedlichen Hardwarestruktur. Aber abgesehen davon kann das Spiel auch heute noch überzeugen, trotz der starken RPG-Konkurrenz, die sich mittlerweile auf der PS2 tummelt und in Zukunft tummeln wird. Schöne Grafik und Musik, ein spitzen Kampfsystem und eine gute Story, mit der man ca. 35-40 Stunden verbringen kann, sprechen für sich und dürften für jeden Rollenspielliebhaber Kaufgrund genug sein.

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.

Irregardless of how you may or may not feel about comparing the PS2 version of Grandia II to the original DC version, Grandia II is more than a worthy addition to your PS2 RPG collection. Battles, in traditional Game Arts fashion, rarely feel repetitive, and there are always a number of interesting options and course of action to follow. The storyline is along the lines of your typical fantasy adventure, but Ryudo and Skye often add a bit of sarcasm/satire to spice up the dialogue.

Avec un système de combat complet et bien pensé, des personnages attachants et une réalisation très honnête, Grandia 2 est un excellent jeu de rôle qui dispose de suffisamment d'arguments pour convaincre les amoureux du genre de plonger dans son univers enchanteur. Anglophobes s'abstenir, le jeu est intégralement non-traduit.

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.

Si le jeu garde toutes ses qualités au niveau du système de combat et des thèmes brillamment traités, la conversion technique est loin de convaincre. Des bugs d'affichage, des ralentissements, préférez la version dreamcast si vous posséder la console, ou bien encore la version PC. Il n'en reste pas moins un bon RPG, à faire.

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.

This game holds up well as good, basic RPG fare, and mastering it will be a satisfying addition to your PS2 trophy case. If you're looking for a well-made, challenging adventure, consider having a Grandia time.

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.

I'm not going to say that my experience with Grandia II was bad. It certainly wasn't. I actually enjoyed it. But I'm also not going to say this is the best game ever like our former Dreamcast editors that must have had sexual relations with the game somewhere along the line to give it such a high score. But those that have been looking for a good console RPG to break up the dreary RPGs and endless amounts of FPSs and RTSs on the PC, you could certainly do a lot worse than this game. It's fun. It's not the best thing ever, but it has enough charm, cuteness, and campiness to at least put a smile on your face and give you an easy 20 hours of gaming.

Hatte sich die vor kurzem erschienene PC-Adaption von Grandia II schon nicht mit Ruhm bekleckert, beweist leider auch die PS2-Auflage des Dreamcast-Originals, wie eine gelungene Umsetzung nicht auszusehen hat. Mag mancher die nach wie vor nicht eingedeutschten Bildschirmtexte und Dialoge vielleicht noch bejubeln, so ist bei der technischen Umsetzung beim besten Willen nichts mehr schön zu reden: Die einstig detailverliebte Grafikpracht des Originals präsentiert sich auf der PS2 als augenfeindliches Dauerflimmern mit dicken PAL-Balken und geradezu peinlichen Texturen. Auch wenn Grandia II spielerisch und inhaltlich 1:1 umgesetzt wurde, sind Atmosphäre und Spielkomfort einfach nicht mehr das Gleiche. RPG-Fans ohne Dreamcast sollten sich den ansonsten nach wie vor herausragenden Titel zwar keinesfalls entgehen lassen, aber die Klasse des Originals wird technisch nicht einmal annähernd erreicht.

Grand succès sur Dreamcast, Grandia 2 ne perd rien de ses qualités scénaristiques lors de son passage au PC, mais on ne peut pas en dire autant sur celles de son moteur.

En somme, Grandia 2 notamment dans cette version PC s'adresse principalement aux puristes du RPG japonais dans ce qu'il a de plus radical. Les dialogues à n'en plus finir, des phases de jeu un peu trop linéaires mais en revanche une trame et un système de combat placés en revanche sous le signe de l'originalité. La réalisation au niveau des graphismes reste quant à elle un peu décevante, ce qui finira d'achever les plus sceptiques alors que les fans passeront l'éponge sans difficulté. Un titre pour passionnés donc mais qui assurera de nombreuses heures de jeu dans un univers riche et séduisant.

Grandia II may be over a year old but it's easily one of the top five RPGs on PS2. While the smaller amount of voice acting and the relatively brief length (about 30 hours) may make the game pale in the shadow cast by Final Fantasy X, it set a standard on Dreamcast for FFX to beat and holds up well to most of the other RPGs on PS2. A must for just about any RPG fan.

The original Dreamcast version of Grandia II was released at the tail end of 2000. The PC port is essentially the same exact game, and while it shows its age, the intactness of the translation is ultimately a good thing. The PC doesn't have too many Japanese RPGs available for it, so by default, Grandia II is one of the better ones. There's no guarantee that the game will appeal to fans of conventional PC role-playing games--Grandia II's linear gameplay, "young adult" sensibility, and anime artwork aren't likely to impress someone looking for another Baldur's Gate II. Still, Grandia II can be fun if you're used to Japanese RPGs to begin with or if you approach it with an open mind. Its great combat system and its colorful cast of characters are enough to recommend it to those who have been intrigued in the past by the Final Fantasy series or other Japanese RPGs. If that's you, then consider this a good opportunity to try out a solid Japanese RPG, without having to own a console.

Wer sich an die gänzlich konsolige Aufmachung und Bedienung gewöhnt hat, wird mit einem stressarmen, entspannt dahinfließenden Rollenspiel belohnt. Story und Grafik sind etwas unbeholfen, aber das Spielprinzip ist solide, der Ausbau von Talenten und Zaubern motivierend. Das Kampfsystem an sich ist fein, die Gefechte wegen zu viel Gegner-Recycling aber begrenzt spannend. Dank des Verzichts auf ständige Zufallsattacken nervt das Wegbügeln der Monster aber nie. Dass man mit Grandia 2 an die 40 Stunden beschäftigt ist, liegt freilich auch an sehr vielen langwierigen Dialogen auf dem Niveau einer Schulaufführung. In den Kämpfen können zudem längere Zauberspruch-Animationen etwas langweilen, da sie sich nicht abkürzen lassen. Wenn Sie eine Alternative zu PC-typischen Monumental-Statistikwüsten suchen, ist Grandia 2 trotz aller Umsetzungs-Lieblosigkeit eine gute Wahl. Sanfter Schwierigkeitsgrad und einfache Bedienung sprechen auch Genre-Neulinge ein.

The original Dreamcast version of Grandia II was released more than a year ago, and it's technically superior to the PlayStation 2 port. But the underlying game is the same, and that's a good thing. The PlayStation 2 still doesn't have too many RPGs available for it, so by default, Grandia II is one of the better ones. Its great combat system and its colorful cast of characters are enough to recommend it to those who might have overlooked the Dreamcast version. If that's you, then consider this a second chance to try out an RPG that's well worth playing.

De originele versie van dit game verscheen eind 2000 op de Dreamcast. Deze pc-versie is zo goed als identiek. Het mag er daardoor wat verouderd uitzien, maar de unieke stijl maakt van de getrouwe overzetting een heel goede zaak. Een knap combatsysteem, kleurrijke personages en meeslepend sfeertje.

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!

Grandia II is not likely to be the type of game that plot-driven, hard-core RPGers will appreciate. However, there is a certain addictive quality to the game generated by the graphics that spur you along the well-trod storyline just to see what the game will look like in the next scene.

Man muss schon viel Schweiß und Herzblut lassen, wenn man sich eine derartig tiefsinnige Hintergrund-Story für ein Rollenspiel ausdenkt: Bösewicht Valmar schikaniert ein Fantasy-Reich, ein Heldentrupp muss dem fiesem Treiben Einhalt gebieten. Schlüsselfigur ist Ryudo, der Anführer der Truppe, die im Laufe des Spiels auf insgesamt vier Personen anwächst: Sängerin Elena als Objekt der Begierde, der kleine Junge Roan mit großer Zukunft, und Marek, der Mann fürs Grobe. Ein sympathisches Gespann!

I'm not sure what the current state of the secondary Dreamcast market is right now, but I do know that a few months ago, at least, you could buy a new Dreamcast on clearance and a copy of Grandia II to play on it for about as much money as the brand-new PlayStation 2 version will cost you now. Maybe it would cost a little more than $50, but you'd get a Dreamcast out of the deal, meaning you could get on with playing Bangaioh (since I know you haven't yet).

The texturing is blurry, the camera chugs and rotates at a snail’s pace, and the character models lack detail. Tie the archaic visual presentation to the nauseating plot and uninteresting character personalities, and the end result is yet another RPG that doesn’t live up to the expectations.

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.

The production values for this game are very good, for a console port. Unfortunately that's not saying much most of the time. This game feels like a console RPG, so if you like that style, you might like this. If you have a Dreamcast, though, I'd recommend getting that version of it instead of the PC version, unless high resolution 3D anime characters is just something you can't live without on your computer.

Even though at times Grandia II was a bit too easy, as I carried around all those resurrection potions for nothing, and a little predictable, I still enjoyed it enough to play through to the end to see all the loose ends tied up. Will I play it again? Who knows? Maybe I'll just wait for the next young, brash hero who is too tormented to love again, to come down the pike.

Für den verwöhnten PS2-Rollenspieler eignet sich Grandia 2 nicht unbedingt. Für jene die bereits die Dreamcast Version gespielt haben, ebenfalls nicht. Man sollte sich das Spiel nur kaufen, wenn einem die typisch japanischen RPGs gefallen und man sich da reinarbeiten kann. Wenn einem der erste Teil gefallen hat, dann kann man sich aber ruhigen Gewissens auch den zweiten Teil zulegen.