Grandia - Grand Indeed. (Grandia (PS))

Member Name: WayneKWilkins

Product:	Grandia (PS)
Date:	03/09/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Non-complex battle system, beautiful graphics and music, immersive and lengthy story

Disadvantages: Somewhat annoying characters, occasional grinding

===INTRODUCTION===

Grandia is arguebly one of the most definitive RPG games to ever be released on the epic Sony Playstation console. Possessing an aura of uniqueness, combined with a beautifullly written story and truly glorious graphics and musical score, it should come as no surprise that Grandia stands as one of my personal all-time favorite RPG Games.

Grandia is the first game in the series and is a traditional role-playing game which was originally developed for the Sega Saturn in 1997, yet was later remade for the Sony Playstation in early 2000. Since it first emerged on the Playstation, it has earned much acclaim and fame as being one of the greatest RPG experiences on the system as well as being one of the most entertaining in terms of storyline and gameplay.

===STORY AND CHARACTERS===

The story of Grandia starts off quite basic giving you a brief background of a young and budding adventurer by the name of Justin who dreams of growing up into a world-famous explorer and adventurer like his father. He lives in the small port-town of Parm with his mother and his friend Sue where he frequently watches adventurers from all over the world check in via ship and head back out to the open seas shortly after. Justin is not by any means quiet about his dream, constantly talking about it and making games out of it with his friends and enemies alike in the town.

Technology in the world of Grandia is in the somewhat developmental stages. Ships, trains and such technology as excavators and diggers are very much present and constantly evolving. Mining has become a popular source of income all over the world, yet one specific mining group are the ones which know something more. They know of a city hidden deep underground which contains tremendous power. Their only problem is that they do not know where it is.

Justin is eventually told by a holograph that he must track down the hidden city before the enemy in order to stop them. However, the enemy quickly learns of Justin and will stop at nothing in order to hinder Justin's quest which takes him and his many companions that he meets on his travels all over the world to such places as an actually-scary ghostship, jungles, forests and huge open ruins all in the name of saving the world and becoming world-famous at the same time! Everyone's a winner, right?

I personally found some of the characters to be quite annoying, however, this is what the game's developers intended. Throughout the game you ar eable to pin point how Justin and Sue mature as they delve further into the world of Grandia and unlock new paths into their futures. This is a very unique touch that you do not see often in the RPG world, but it is something that will keep fans coming back for more.

===GAMEPLAY AND GRAPHICS===

The gameplay is something which makes this game an enjoyable experience from start to finish. It features classic turn-based action with a unique twist to it, as well as the ability to roam about fully-3D environments in any direction taking advantage of the Playstation's capabilities. While the game itself is not the best in the graphics department, the graphics are not what is important. They fit the game to perfection and do nothing but aid the massive and immersive story that comes with the game and above all else, they are not glitchy, laggy and in no way to they hinder any part of the game. I personally prefer these kinds of graphics than the new age fully-3D ones. They are simply perfect for RPG's!

In general, everything you do in Grandia is reflected by a sprite or movement in the graphics. They are pretty much the same graphics as fellow Playstation RPG, Guardian's Crusade, but also slightly remeniscent of an updated version of The Legends of Dragoon, another stand-out RPG of the Sony variety. Whether you are a fan of new age graphics or not, a true RPG enthusiast such as myself will simply be in awe at the widely immersive world that Grandia brings to the table.

===SUMMARY===

All in all, if you happen to come across this game during your RPG travels, you are in for one of the most immersive, in depth and entertaining games of the entire history of the genre. Not only did it set a pinnacle stand-point for what RPG's in the new millennium would become, it also seals its place in history as one of the greatest RPG's to ever be released on the Sony Playstation. Needless to say, Grandia is an epic game and a simply unique experience; if you have yet to play this game, or are looking for your first RPG Grandia is the one to choose!

Story: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Gameplay: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Replayability: 5/5

Overall: 4/5

Summary: Grandia - Perfect for all RPG fans