PlayStation

Grandia

Lastly is the question, "is Grandia the RPG of the Year?" Well...let's just say as good as a game Grandia is, I can't say it is the RPG of the Year and conversely I can't say it isn't either. At the very least, in my opinion Grandia is at the top tier of this year's RPG crop. This is a game for the ages, marked by its innate, alluring charm and elegance. It is a game that defies convention, but more importantly it is one of the better reasons to play games of this genre. A truly classy game from a classy company. Bravo Game Arts! I expect an exquisite encore in Grandia 2.

Translation aside, Sony has a real winner on its hands and it probably doesn't even know it - Grandia is every bit as worthwhile as Final Fantasy VIII, just in different ways. While a more casual RPGer might opt for Final Fantasy VIII, as Sony's sad ad campaign admits, Grandia is a fantastic game for anyone looking for a lighthearted, truly satisfying adventure.

Grandia is a continent spanning role-playing game in the old school tradition. By that, I mean the focus isn't nearly so heavy on graphics and flash, allowing you to really notice and appreciate the characters, plot, and gameplay. For example, townspeople have many things to tell you each time you talk to them, creating the illusion of a real town where the local people are more than cardboard cutouts. From the guy covered in bird droppings to the vomiting woman, this game has personality in spades. I haven't laughed like this during a game since Sam and Max for the PC.

If you’re an RPG fan then this is a must have. If you’re more of a jock-playing or hack and slash type of gamer then I suggest renting this to see if RPGs are for you. Game Arts did a great job with this one and hopefully they have a sequel in the works.

Grandia has won a lot of critical acclaim on the Sega Saturn in Japan, and it has finally hit the United States but on the Playstation. One such thing being that it was the Final Fantasy on the Sega Saturn, and considering it was from Game Arts (the creators of Lunar) this should come as no surprise to RPG fans. It looked really cool, but many people had played the Japanese version and missed out on the great story. Now that it has hit the Playstation, many people will be able to experience this awesome adventure. It not only is a great RPG, but a great game for the Playstation in general.

As with most of the Game Arts' titles, Grandia doesn't opt for grandiose (despite the title) effects or uber-fantastic events to draw gamers in. Instead, this is a game that relies more on characters to tell the story and it does it incredibly well. While some gamers may flinch at the overly simplistic tones and themes that play out through the first half of the game, you'd be selling the game short if you didn't push through and see the game to conclusion. There are some plot twists to be found and a few rather dark moments to discover later in the game that really test the characterizations in Grandia. And it's the characters that you'll remember for a long time, and that, in my opinion, is always the mark of a great RPG. What a great year for us, fans.

With a story and gameplay this good, more attention should have been paid to the design of the monsters. But don't let that keep you from embarking on this quest of discovery and glory. Grandia's puzzles, gorgeous locations, and solid story more than make up for its minor flaws.

The unfortunate aspect of Grandia is that so much work was put into the story and dialogue that the visuals and sound effects have suffered a bit. The game is an accurate port of the Sega Saturn version, however in this day and age the game is heavily over-shadowed by the likes of the Final Fantasy titles. The developers have chosen a mix of polygon backgrounds and sprites for the characters, and while this allows rotation of the camera angles, it also causes a lot of pixelation when looking at something up close.

Det som fängslar mest i Grandia är helheten. Det är dock karaktärerna som är lättast att ta till sig. Sedan Final Fantasy VII likt ett bombnedslag sprängde bort de mindre etablerade rollspelen och deras simpla uppbyggnad har bara ett fåtal traditionella inslag överlevt, men Grandia tar tillvara på de flesta. Det är tydligt att Game Arts vill kittla ens sinnen med hjältedåd, kärlek och vänskap. Och ge spelaren utrymme och ork att fortsätta sökandet efter det förlorade landet. Att spelet sedan är stort och tar lång tid att klara gör inte saken sämre, och de två CD-skivorna som det består av är späckade med äventyr. Mellan 35 och 40 timmar tar det att klara spelet, och det är precis lagom. De som länge har letat efter ett traditionellt rollspel kan ge upp sökandet. Grandia har allt det där, och lite till.

Much like Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, the enjoyment you'll get out of this title depends on your experience in the genre. Hardcore fans will find a decent diversion with the excellent battle system, but the simplistic storyline will be a turn-off. However, Level 1 beginners may become hooked on the genre with Grandia because of the easy-to-follow plot and fast-paced action. Either way, Grandia is an alright way to spend 50 hours, but the sequel trounces it on nearly all accounts.

In summary, for anyone looking for a solid story, Grandia is an excellent game, with a solid eighty hours of exploration and character development. However, for anyone looking for a challenging, engrossing game, It's best to look elsewhere.