| Product: |
Grandia 2 (PS2) |
| Date: |
03.10.06 (113 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Good story with strong characters, great design, excellent battle-system
Disadvantages: Too short, not very different from the original, uninspired visuals
Game Arts' RPG Grandia was (at the risk of making a sweeping statement) one of the best games ever made. Sadly, it is also among the most criminally overlooked. It was first released in Japan in 1997 on the ill-fated SEGA Saturn before belatedly reaching our shores in 2000 on the PSOne format. Behind its cute, dated visuals lay an adventure of epic proportions with magical design, spellbinding storytelling and a battle system that was sheer brilliance. In its day, only Final Fantasy VII could live with Grandia in the role-playing genre...
...Which is why I was suitably enthused when a follow-up was announced. Like its predecessor, Grandia 2 first took the SEGA route via the Dreamcast before it landed on the PS2 in 2002. A new world, new set of characters and a brand new storyline await, but I had to wonder whether it was possible to recreate the magic of the original. Time would tell...
The story centres around a refreshingly blunt young man named Ryudo, who, at least in the early stages, is unpopular with almost all he speaks with because of his occupation as a Geohound, which in other words means he gets paid to do others dirty work. His task initially is to protect a Songstress named Elena who, like many in the world of Grandia 2, worships the God of Light, Granas. However (long-story-short), a ritual goes wrong and part of Valmar, the God of Darkness whom she so despises, possesses her.
Sure enough, brash 'n' bullish Ryudo and prim 'n' proper Elena must embark on a lengthy journey across the world in the hope that they can find a way to save her soul whilst also uncovering the truth surrounding the appearances of Valmar in its many guises.
Grandia 2 may not carry quite as weighty a storyline as its predecessor but, all things considered, it's a good sequel that thankfully retains the majority of the originals strengths as well as chipping in with a few neat touches of its own. It's no classic, but it does justice to the franchise in its own way.
It's very much your traditional RPG; you'll talk to villagers, buy weapons and armour, watch cut-scenes, explore caves/dungeons and, of course, slay tonnes of monsters. Despite not packing the visual clout of the likes of Final Fantasy and Star Ocean, Grandia 2 delivers a number of innovations that help it rise above your average role-player.
Firstly, there is the technical side though the graphics and presentation are no great shakes, the brilliant 360 degree rotating camera that was a such a wonderful innovation in the original, has been retained. By holding either L1 or R1, the player can swing the camera right around Ryudo, thus preventing any frustrating can't-see-where-I'm-going moments and also showing off the simple charm and depth of the landscapes.
The Grandia series features perhaps the best battle-system ever in a game of this ilk, and here's why. Many gamers are put off by turn-based battles in RPG's because of the unceremonious manner in which you are pulled away from the normal field of play, but Grandia 2's are not random in their occurrence enemies appear in the field of play, and making contact with them instigates a battle. Cleverly, the manner with which you make contact with enemies in the field can affect whether you gain a 'pre-emptive strike' or are taken by an ambush. Plus, this form of interaction means that, with a bit of skill, fights can be avoided entirely. But you probably won't mind either way the battles themselves are excellent.
Not content with simply doling out experience points for victorious battles, Grandia 2 also rewards the player with Magic points and Special Move points. The former can be spent on acquiring various spells whilst the latter helps characters learn moves specific to themselves. Not only this, but attributes can be learned from books and, via the 'Skill Equip' feature, various statistics such as strength, vitality and speed can be boosted. All this makes the often-routine process of 'levelling-up' characters much more satisfying and also gives the player a great deal of freedom in choosing the manner in which their protagonists develop.
Grandia 2 shows off its impressive design credentials with an on-screen compass that points to your chosen destination and there are also a range of well-devised puzzles to tackle in the field of play nothing too taxing; flipping switches, pushing blocks and so on, but they are nevertheless nicely implemented and encourage exploration.
As with all role-playing games, a decent story is imperative to maintaining the players interest, and fortunately Grandia 2 fares well in this department. Whilst the good-versus-evil and dark-versus-light concept is hardly original in itself, it manages to create (and subsequently analyse) a number of ethical dilemmas, testing the relationships, resolve and faith of the central figures. Elena begins the adventure as essentially good natured, but narrow-minded and naοve, but the trials she faces and the manner in which she deals with her curse and the death that consumes the places she visits, is quite intriguing. Ryudo, by contrast, begins as a real pessimist and cynic, though as the story progresses he blossoms into a wise and natural leader; his development is noticeably similar to that of Justin, the central figure in the first game. It carries with it a certain wit and feel-good factor missing from similar games.
Graphically, its functional at best. The original Grandia appeared rather dated on release and the trend appears to have continued here. It's by no means offensive the environment design remains pleasingly colourful and imaginative, though the characters in particular lack detail, and the PS2-exclusive FMV's are unlikely to leave you gawping. What is perhaps more important though is that it does its job without fault the brilliant camera system works without a hitch, whilst the battles provide the visual highlights in the form of some pretty (if long-winded) magic attacks.
Whilst the gameplay doesn't quite pack the same clout as the original, Grandia 2 remains an endearing and enjoyable experience, weaving some nice ideas into the standard role-playing blueprint. It allows the player to decide at their own discretion how far they wish to persevere with conversations some figures can be spoken to three or four times and come out with something different on each occasion, though the most important information can usually be gleaned quite quickly, so in essence the player can choose how much depth they wish to get from the game. Each village you come across has its own unique selection of 'Regional' items, making for some novel spins on the old 'potions-for-healing' format. Perhaps emphasising the depth of the characters and the storyline, the player can even take a break and dine at various Inn's, allowing you to instigate a chat between members of your own party; sometimes trivial, sometimes important, but always insightful.
Sadly, it's all over in a flash. I finished it in around 25 hours which isn't great by RPG standards, and many veterans will be a little disappointed at how easily the last boss can be brushed aside. The obvious upshot of this is that Grandia 2 frustrates a lot less than many RPG's; you'll make smooth progress with little to get stumped on for long, and as it is a genuinely quality package, it represents perhaps the perfect portal into the genre for younger or more casual gamers.
Neither a big step forward for the series nor a technological leap for the genre, Grandia 2 is still ultimately a decent game because, despite its lack of originality, graphical finesse and longevity, it is likeable, well-crafted and above all, enjoyable to play. Don't expect the world and you might just find a bit of a hidden gem.
Summary: Retro Is The Future
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