Platform : Dreamcast
Genre : Role Playing
Release Date : 2000 Summer (Japanese version), 2000 Winter (near Christmas) (English version)
Developer : Game Arts
Two years after the original Saturn Grandia is released, the next episode of Grandia is released. Unlike Grandia I, the story of Grandia II will draw memories of Game Arts' classic title -- Lunar Silver Star Story and Lunar the Blue Star.
The story and character development of Grandia II is extremely different with Grandia I. In simple words, it is more "old school"; it is about religion, it is about conspiracy, it is about hypocrisy in a more traditional fantasy world. Without giving the story away, the best way to describe the characters and story is that what is superficial and apparent is not always true fact.
Some characters are a little bit under developed though (especially the "bad guys"). Despite of that, character development are focused on the "player characters" (especially Elena). In the early part of the story, you should notice that they are breaks in the story -- not everything is well explained. The game does eventually explains those question marks, but sometimes those question marks might lead one to say, "Huh?".
Spoilers ...
Through the adventures of Leeds (bounty hunter), and Elena (a priestess of god Grans) ( + her "evil" inner self -- those who are half way through the game will understand what I am talking about), they uncover the truth of the Temple of Grans. The game warns of the hypocrisy of some factions of modern religion.
It is basically the same with Grandia I. Limits of maximum number of items are removed, and the magic and special attacks system is slightly different with Grandia I. Fans of Grandia I and people new to RPG will find this easier to pick up. Movement in the "3D" screen (which is really 2D) is much easier than in Grandia I.
The approach of the character design is different with Grandia I. It focuses on realism rather than "cuteness". This "old school approach" does not affect the game, and actually fits better in the story line.
The game is in 3-D (as advertised), and it is fairly well done. Making use of DC's excellent ability in 3D graphics, character motions are fairly sharp and clear. Similar to Grandia I (and the Lunar series), a lot of detail are putted into the city/village and dungeon designs.
Grandia II is the best RPG so far for DC, and probably the best in 2000 so far (I admit I am no Final Fantasy fan -- to graphics intensive, but the contents of the story is lacking. And I do not like Square's business practices -- for Ogre Battle fans, they should understand what am I talking about). Every DC owners who is interested in RPG should get this game. The next RPG I am looking forward to is Legend of Eternia (Konami for PS) and Sakura Wars III (Sega for DC). I will give a final verdict which is the best RPG after I get to see those 2 games.
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