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Grandia II

April 11, 2024

Grandia II[b] is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts originally for the Dreamcast console as part of their Grandia series. Initially released in Japan by Game Arts in August 2000, the game was published by Ubi Soft in North America in December 2000 and in Europe in February 2001. Grandia II was later ported to PlayStation 2, where it was released worldwide throughout 2002, and for Windows exclusively in North America and Europe later that year.

Grandia II
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Game Arts[a]
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Katsunori Saito
Producer(s)Takeshi Miyaji
Toshiyuki Uchida
Designer(s)Osamu Harada
Programmer(s)Kazuyuki Ohata
Kazuhiro Irie
Writer(s)Kei Shigema
Yuichi Hasegawa
Composer(s)Noriyuki Iwadare
SeriesGrandia
Platform(s)Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ReleaseDreamcast
  • JP: August 3, 2000
  • NA: December 5, 2000[1][2]
  • EU: February 23, 2001
PlayStation 2
  • NA: January 29, 2002[3]
  • JP: February 21, 2002
  • EU: March 28, 2002
Microsoft Windows
  • NA: March 12, 2002[4]
  • EU: April 12, 2002
Anniversary Edition
  • WW: August 24, 2015
HD Remaster
  • WW: October 15, 2019
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: August 16, 2019
  • JP: March 25, 2020
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • WW: March 26, 2024
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

An enhanced port, based on the Dreamcast version and titled Grandia II Anniversary Edition, was released by GungHo Online Entertainment for Steam and GOG.com in August 2015. A high-definition remaster of the game and the original Grandia was released for Nintendo Switch in August 2019; an associated update for the Anniversary Edition was released in October 2019.[7][8] The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released in March 2024.[9]

The game was developed by many of the same staff members who worked on the original Grandia, including music composer Noriyuki Iwadare. However, it was designed around creating a more "mature" product than the previous title and the first in the series to feature fully three-dimensional graphics.

The game is set in a fantasy world thousands of years after a battle between Granas, the god of light, and Valmar, the god of darkness, nearly destroyed the planet until Valmar was split into pieces and scattered across the land. In the aftermath of the battle, the Church of Granas has led humanity to prosperity by spreading the word of good. However, when a young mercenary named Ryudo is charged to protect a songstress from the church named Elena, their journey reveals that the church's history, as well as the history of the world, is not all it seems.

While the original Dreamcast version of the game received a largely positive response from critics in Japan and the West, its later ports to the PlayStation 2 and PC were typically seen as inferior due to a combination of technical shortcomings and other high-profile games released during the transition.

Gameplay edit

The turn-based battle system is based around the IP gauge. Character icons move from left to right on the gauge. Upon reaching the beginning of the action phase on the gauge, characters select an action. That action is executed when their icon reaches the end of the action phase. The system supports limited movement during a battle; an invisible barrier prevents characters from wandering outside the arena.

Characters can run from one place to another, strike opponents, and then retreat. Selecting "critical" makes a character or enemy strike an opponent simultaneously. If the critical lands during the opponent's action phase, it will "cancel" the opponent's move and push the opponent's icon substantially backward along the IP gauge, delaying the opponent from taking action. Selecting "combo" makes a character land two hits on an enemy. The hits can be increased with certain accessories, up to four hits per combo. A combo can also "counter" if it hits an enemy in an attack pose, dealing additional damage. Suppose the combo kills the intended target before reaching the final blow. In that case, the character will attack the closest enemy to complete the combo.

Characters can use magic from equipped Mana Eggs. Using magic consumes MP. More powerful magic takes longer to cast. Special moves and spells can be learned with Skills Coins and Magic Coins and have a maximum level of 5. Spell efficiency is increased and casting time decreases as the level increases. Spells can be cast instantly if a character has skills equipped, giving a +100% bonus to the element of that particular spell. Special move sets are learned from Skill Books, then equipped onto characters. Skills can boost stats or add additional effects, such as increased item drops or a canceling effect to certain spells.

Plot edit

Ryudo is a mercenary known as a Geohound, accompanied by his talking bird companion, Skye. The Church of Granas hires him to escort Elena, a Songstress of Granas, to Garmia Tower for a ceremony. Upon arrival, he is asked to wait while they perform the ritual. However, he hears a scream and rushes up to the top floor. Seeing everyone dead and Elena with a pair of wings, he rescues her, and both return to Carbo Village. There, Ryudo is asked by the priest to escort Elena to St. Heim Papal State to seek Pope Zera's help to cleanse Elena of the Wings of Valmar, one of several pieces of Valmar, which now possesses her.

Before he can turn the job down, the village is attacked by a mysterious winged woman, who engages and defeats Ryudo in battle. She introduces herself as Millenia and disappears. Ryudo accepts the job and departs for St. Heim with Elena. In the town of Agear, Millenia appears again, this time more friendly, and teams up with Ryudo. She accidentally reveals herself as the Wings of Valmar and that she possesses Elena, sharing her body as a separate being. After Roan and the Beast Man, Mareg, join the group, they find more pieces of Valmar, which Millenia absorbs after they are defeated.

When the group arrives at St. Heim Papal State, Elena meets with Pope Zera, who wishes to speak with Ryudo. The Pope requests that he find the legendary Granasaber, a weapon wielded by Granas that was used to defeat Valmar. Ryudo reluctantly agrees, and the group travels to Roan's hometown of Cyrum. Upon arrival, they rest at the inn as Roan departs. The following day, it is revealed that Roan is the prince and that the people of Cyrum once assisted Valmar against Granas in the ancient war. The party enters the castle, finds the Gate of Darkness open, and discovers an ancient factory underneath the castle. They encounter the Claws of Valmar and, later, Melfice back in the castle. Melfice is Ryudo's brother and the man Mareg seeks, who flees after defeating the group in battle, telling Ryudo to face him at home. Roan is crowned king and chooses to stay in Cyrum to encourage its people that the past does not predict their future. After being rescued, Tio, the being possessed by the Claws and an Automata, joins the group.

The party arrives by boat in the village of Garlan, Ryudo's hometown. Ryudo is immediately chastised for returning and commanded to leave. He reveals that Melfice has returned, and he plans to kill him to end his torment of the world. At the inn, a disguised Skye reveals Ryudo's history to Elena. Garlan used to be a village of swordsmen, with Melfice being the best. However, one night, during a storm, the idol in the hills grew restless, so the villagers sent Reena, Melfice's fiancé, to pray at the altar. She didn't return, and Melfice investigated, being secretly followed by Ryudo. In the shrine, Ryudo witnessed Melfice murder Reena. Ryudo later fled from town and stayed away for three years, causing the villagers to believe he abandoned them, hence their contempt. In the morning, the group travels up the mountain to confront Melfice.

At its peak, they defeat Melfice, who afterward reconciles with Ryudo and informs the group of the Granasaber's location before dying. While Ryudo grieves, the Horns possess him, causing him to lose consciousness. At the inn, Elena asks Millenia for help, but she initially refuses. However, she relents and uses her powers to seal the Horns inside of Ryudo, who then awakens with a renewed sense of purpose. But Elena questions Granas, as it was Valmar who saved Ryudo.

The group travels to Nannan, Mareg's hometown, near the location of the Granasaber. The group is then informed of the Granasaber's whereabouts: within a giant cyclone to the east. The group travels there and deactivates the artificial storm, revealing the Granasaber. However, Selene, the High Priestess, appears and sacrifices a Cathedral Knight to revive the Body of Valmar around the Granasaber; the group enters the body and destroys it. Tio reveals the Granasaber as a ship, teleporting the group inside and guiding the giant sword back to St. Heim.

The "Day of Darkness" arrives, and the group witnesses the Cathedral Knights slaughtering the townsfolk. They fight their way to the cathedral, where Elena reveals her true mission: to absorb the pieces of Valmar so the Granasaber can destroy them. Selene reappears and transforms into the Heart of Valmar, but the group destroys it. They catch up to Zera, who reveals that Valmar was victorious in the battle against Granas, who was killed. He actually plans to use the absorbed pieces within Elena to bring Valmar back to life, and abducts her to the Moon of Valmar.

The group uses the Granasaber to reach the moon and save Elena. A wounded Mareg later sacrifices himself to allow the group to escape from the moon. Crashing near Cyrum, now besieged by monsters from the moon, the group rejoins with Roan and defends the town. Soon, Valmar's Moon crashes into the Granas Cathedral, and the new Valmar emerges. Unfortunately, the group finds itself without the means to defeat him. Roan suggests traveling to the nearby Birthplace of the Gods for answers, which reveals much about the ancient war and the origins of both gods.

Meeting another Automata named Elmo, Ryudo chooses to confront the Horns within and is beset by many trials. However, he overcomes his fears and insecurities and is granted the true Granasaber. The party challenges Valmar and enters his body. Inside, they are confronted by Zera, who attacks them before sending a false Millenia after them. Ryudo's party is victorious, and the true Millenia, now separated from Elena, joins them. Zera divides the group and launches a final attack against Ryudo, Elena, and Millenia. They defeat him and destroy Valmar for good, restoring peace to the world.

The ending shows the different characters one year after Valmar's defeat. Roan is still king and embarks on a journey to find his friends. Tio has become a nurse in Cyrum, Millenia is a teacher, and Elena tours the world as a singer in a troupe. In the last scene, Ryudo says goodbye to Granasaber and buries it under a tree in a remote area. He concludes that humanity will care for themselves and no longer depend on gods to continue living.

Characters edit

Playable characters edit

  • Ryudo: The main hero of the story. Ryudo is a Geohound, a mercenary. He is skilled with a sword and shows a sharp wit. He cares little for others besides himself at first; however, his attitude changes, and he eventually wishes for a better world.
  • Elena: The main heroine of the story. She is a Sister of the Church of Granas and a Songstress. She joins Ryudo early on in the adventure and is typically naive about most things about the world. She wields strong healing and divine magic and uses a mace/staff as her weapon.
  • Millenia: A mysterious woman who meets Ryudo early on after the failed ceremony at Garmia Tower. Revealed to be the "Wings of Valmar", Millenia appears to be a rather blunt, hot-tempered woman who initially uses Ryudo to accomplish her goals but eventually falls in love with him. She uses a crossbow and absorbs pieces of Valmar to gain dark powers.
  • Roan: A boy that Ryudo meets in Agear town who requests help finding his lost medal. He joins Ryudo's party until it is revealed he is the prince of Cyrum kingdom, whose people served Valmar during the "Battle between Good and Evil". He eventually becomes the king, but later rejoins the party. He uses daggers/knives as his weapon.
  • Mareg: A beast man who initially attacks Ryudo, mistaking him for his brother, before joining him on his journey. He teaches Tio about what it means to be alive. He is strong and uses an axe/spear as his weapon.
  • Tio: An Automata housed under Cyrum kingdom. She is awakened by Ryudo's group and joins them, as she has no other function. She calls Mareg "Master" but eventually considers everyone a family. She uses chakrams as her weapon.

Non-playable characters edit

  • Valmar: The God of Darkness. Destroyed, broken into pieces, and sealed after the Battle of Good and Evil. But the pieces are being released, and his revival is apparent.
  • Melfice: An evil swordsman whom Mareg is valiantly pursuing, he is Ryudo's brother. His strength is unholy, thanks to the Horns of Valmar within him.
  • His Holiness Zera: The Pope of Granas Cathedral and its leader. He sees the evil in the world and vows to defeat it at any cost.
  • Selene: The High Priestess of Granas, she follows Zera's leadership without question. Her zealousness is unquestionable.
  • Skye: Ryudo's trusty bird companion. He's just as snarky and quick-witted as Ryudo but more mature and full of wisdom.
  • Granas: The God of Light. Responsible for the destruction of Valmar and the sealing of his pieces.

Ports edit

Grandia II was ported to PlayStation 2 and PC after its initial release on Dreamcast. In the PlayStation 2 version, some textures and characters are less graphically detailed than in the Dreamcast version. Also, there is a tendency for graphical glitches and slow down to occur in areas with heavy graphic data. For instance, when a party member defeats the last enemy standing while using the weapon or accessory Warp effect, the character's color scheme vanishes, and only a bright white model is left.

On the PC port, there is a glitch in the first fight with Millenia. Several video files on the disc contain extra frames appearing as a freeze after casting specific spells.

On May 11, 2015, GungHo America president Jun Iwasaki revealed to GameSpot that Grandia II will be receiving an HD remaster on Steam and GOG.com. Based on the Dreamcast version of the game, the port will have a mouse, keyboard, and gamepad support. Along with the visual definition upgrade, it will include Steam achievements and Trading Cards.[10] On August 24, 2015, Grandia II Anniversary Edition for PC was released and features visual upgrades to textures / lighting / shadows, original Japanese voice option, additional difficulty level, gamepad support, Steam Trading Cards / Steam Achievements / Steam Cloud Save support (PC only), selectable video options, remappable keyboard & gamepad support, 100 save file slots, Dreamcast VMS Save File Support.[11]

The game received a remastered version on the Nintendo Switch as part of the Grandia HD Collection on August 16, 2019. Grandia II Anniversary Edition was updated with new features and renamed to Grandia II HD Remaster on October 15, 2019; customers who already own the Grandia II Anniversary Edition received the upgraded version for free.[12] Changes in the remaster include enhanced details to UI / sprites / texture art, visual enhancements to original cinematic videos, widescreen support and customizable resolutions (PC only), Japanese and English audio, and additional French and German localization.[13] The remaster was released in Japan and received Japanese language support in other regions, along with various fixes, on March 25, 2020.[14]

Reception edit

Dreamcast version edit

The original Dreamcast release of Grandia II received a largely positive response during its initial release in Japan, earning a 9.75 out of 10 rating from Dreamcast Magazine, as well as a 35 out of 40 from Weekly Famitsu, which earned it the magazine's editor's choice Platinum award.[20] Famitsu DC rated the game 26 out of 30 based on three reviews.[20] Despite good reception, sales of the game remained relatively low in the region,[18] with an estimated 184,863 copies sold.[30]

Grandia II's English release met with an overwhelmingly positive response. It received an aggregate score of 88.81% on GameRankings[15] and 90/100 on Metacritic.[16] GamePro magazine found the game to be "solidly-built and features stunning visuals, dead-on controls, and a innovative combat system" yet remarked that that game's scenarios seemed too linear at times.[22]

On a similar note, GameSpot stated that "while the first Grandia had lengthy dungeons full of puzzles and side routes, Grandia II's dungeons are more compartmental and linear affairs", the game was ultimately "a solid RPG ... even if it isn't as deep or difficult as the original."[25] IGN granted the game an Editor's Choice distinction, calling it a "classic" of the Dreamcast and remarking that its battle system was "arguably the most advanced system in play today", yet found the game's story and character development to be cliche and predictable.[26]

Eurogamer also found the game's story and gameplay to be largely methodical, and despite being dubbed "the best RPG on the Dreamcast in Europe" and "strongly recommended", editors felt seasoned role-playing game players would find the game too generic, calling it "an incredibly tough game to call".[18] Electronic Gaming Monthly granted the game a 9 out of 10, earning it a Gold Award.[17]

Francesca Reyes reviewed the Dreamcast version of the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and called the game "a winner in the RPG beauty pageant that's just clever enough in the battle department to balance out an almost too straightforward storyline."[29]

PlayStation 2 and PC ports edit

The PlayStation 2 rerelease of Grandia II in 2002 experienced lower sales than the Dreamcast version in Japan despite a higher install base, selling approximately 42,060 copies in its first month.[48] In North America and Europe, the game received chiefly lower reviews than the original, with many publications remarking on the technical shortcomings of the port to the new console. Electronic Gaming Monthly found the PlayStation version to be vastly inferior to the original, citing reduced frame rate, color, and texture quality, adding that its "Inexplicably horrible graphics completely ruin an otherwise splendid title."[36]

GamePro found the conversion shortcomings to be essentially negligible, claiming that Grandia II "still holds its own as a solidly constructed but direct port in the more crowded PlayStation 2 fantasy camp" while asserting that it was still "overshadowed by Final Fantasy X."[39] IGN still regarded the PlayStation 2 version as "a good game" and one of the top role-playing games for the system at the time but remarked that the "time and stress of transition" as well as the emergence of other prominent games during the one-year time frame had diluted the port's appeal.[44] GameSpot called the Dreamcast release "technically superior", but the new version was recommended to those who did not play the original and that it was still "well worth playing".[42]

Like the PlayStation 2 version, the PC release of Grandia II had a much milder response from critics than the Dreamcast version. Critiquing the game from a PC game standpoint, IGN PC stated, "This game is not like a PC RPG. It's light. It's fluffy. It's colorful. It's not exactly deep. Its storyline is console stereotypical. Its jokes are silly. Its gameplay is cartoony. And the characters all have huge eyes and no mouths." But the reviewer added that Grandia II "still manages to be fun, maybe even just because it's so different than most of the dark, dreary and serious RPGs that find their ways to our favorite platform."[43]

Similarly, GameSpot found that the game would be difficult for consumers accustomed to Western role-playing video games to get into, remarking that "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."[41]

Notes edit

  1. ^ PlayStation 2 port developed by Rocket Studio,[5] the Anniversary Edition developed by SkyBox Labs, the HD Remaster developed by Sickhead Games
  2. ^ Japanese: グランディアII, Hepburn: Gurandia Tsū

References edit

  1. ^ . 2000-12-02. Archived from the original on 2000-12-02. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. ^ IGN Staff (2000-07-29). "Date Set for US Version of Grandia 2". IGN. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  3. ^ IGN Staff (2002-01-30). "Grandia II Ships!". IGN. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  4. ^ Adams, Dan (2002-02-25). "Grandia II Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  5. ^ Silverwolf X. . RPGFan.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  6. ^ "Grandia II" (in Japanese). Sega. from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  7. ^ "Grandia and Grandia II Coming to Switch in HD Remaster - IGN". 20 August 2018. from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021 – via www.ign.com.
  8. ^ @GungHo_America (February 1, 2019). "We're happy to see all of the excitement for the #Grandia + Grandia II HD Remaster! We will update everyone as so…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Grandia HD Collection Launches March 26, 2024 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One". GungHo Online Entertainment. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  10. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (2015-05-11). "Acclaimed Dreamcast RPG Grandia II Coming to Steam". GameSpot. from the original on 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
  11. ^ . Gematsu. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018.
  12. ^ . RPG Site. 16 August 2019. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019.
  13. ^ . Gematsu. 23 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Grandia HD Collection, Grandia HD Remaster, and Grandia II HD Remaster version 1.01.00 updates now available". Gematsu.com. 24 March 2020. from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Grandia II for Dreamcast". GameRankings. from the original on 2009-09-12. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  16. ^ a b "Grandia II for Dreamcast Reviews". Metacritic. from the original on 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  17. ^ a b Boyer, Crispin; Johnston, Chris; Ricciardi, John; Che (February 2000). "Grandia for Dreamcast review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Ziff-Davis Media. p. 156.
  18. ^ a b c Bramwell, Tom (2001-04-20). "Grandia II Review". Eurogamer. from the original on 2010-12-18. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  19. ^ ドリームキャスト - グランディアII. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.43. June 30, 2006.
  20. ^ a b c Williamson, Collin (2000-07-31). "Everyone Scores with Japanese Magazine Scores". IGN. from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  21. ^ "Grandia II for Dreamcast Review". Game Informer. GameStop Corporation. February 2000.
  22. ^ a b Bro Buzz (February 2004). . GamePro. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07.
  23. ^ "Grandia II Review". Gamerevolution.com. 2001-01-01. from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  24. ^ Modupe Ayinde. . Archived from the original on November 22, 2001. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  25. ^ a b Provo, Frank (2002-03-13). "Grandia II for Dreamcast Review". GameSpot. from the original on 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  26. ^ a b Chen, Jeff (2000-12-01). "IGN: Grandia II Review". IGN. from the original on 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  27. ^ Consoles +, issue 109, pages 68-71
  28. ^ Dreamcast Magazine, issue 2000-26ex, page 22 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ a b Reyes, Francesca (February 2001). "Finals; Grandia II". Next Generation. Lifecycle 2, Vol. 3 (2): 74.
  30. ^ . Japan-GameCharts. 2008. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  31. ^ "Grandia II Anniversary Edition for PC". GameRankings. 2015-08-24. from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  32. ^ "Grandia II for PC". GameRankings. from the original on 2009-09-20. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  33. ^ "Grandia II for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. from the original on 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  34. ^ "Grandia II for PC Reviews". Metacritic. from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  35. ^ "Grandia II for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. from the original on 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  36. ^ a b Boyer, Crispin; Johnston, Chris; Ricciardi, John; Che (January 2002). "Grandia for PlayStation 2 review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Ziff-Davis Media.
  37. ^ "グランディアII まとめ [PS2] / ファミ通.com". Famitsu.com. from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  38. ^ "Grandia II for PlayStation 2 Review". Game Informer. GameStop Corporation. March 2002. p. 79.
  39. ^ a b Bro Buzz (January 2002). . GamePro. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07.
  40. ^ . Archived from the original on February 17, 2002. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  41. ^ a b Kasavin, Greg (2000-09-22). "Grandia II for PC Review". GameSpot. from the original on 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  42. ^ a b Kasavin, Greg (2002-02-08). "Grandia II for PlayStation 2 Review". GameSpot. from the original on 2013-10-26. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  43. ^ a b Adams, Dan (2002-03-08). . IGN. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  44. ^ a b Smith, David (2002-04-06). "IGN: Grandia II Review". IGN. from the original on 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  45. ^ "Grandia II: Anniversary Edition Review". Gaming Nexus. 2015-08-25. from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  46. ^ . Rpgfan.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  47. ^ . Rpgfan.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  48. ^ "Top 30 Weekly Sales Report". Weekly Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 694. Enterbrain, Inc. 2002-03-10.

External links edit

  • Official Grandia HD Collection website
  • Grandia II HD Remaster at GungHo America
  • Grandia II at MobyGames

April 11, 2024
grandia, role, playing, video, game, developed, game, arts, originally, dreamcast, console, part, their, grandia, series, initially, released, japan, game, arts, august, 2000, game, published, soft, north, america, december, 2000, europe, february, 2001, later. Grandia II b is a role playing video game developed by Game Arts originally for the Dreamcast console as part of their Grandia series Initially released in Japan by Game Arts in August 2000 the game was published by Ubi Soft in North America in December 2000 and in Europe in February 2001 Grandia II was later ported to PlayStation 2 where it was released worldwide throughout 2002 and for Windows exclusively in North America and Europe later that year Grandia IINorth American Dreamcast cover artDeveloper s Game Arts a Publisher s JP Game Arts DC 6 JP Enix PS2 WW Ubi SoftWW GungHo Online digital Director s Katsunori SaitoProducer s Takeshi MiyajiToshiyuki UchidaDesigner s Osamu HaradaProgrammer s Kazuyuki OhataKazuhiro IrieWriter s Kei ShigemaYuichi HasegawaComposer s Noriyuki IwadareSeriesGrandiaPlatform s Dreamcast PlayStation 2 Windows Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 Xbox OneReleaseDreamcastJP August 3 2000NA December 5 2000 1 2 EU February 23 2001PlayStation 2NA January 29 2002 3 JP February 21 2002EU March 28 2002Microsoft WindowsNA March 12 2002 4 EU April 12 2002Anniversary EditionWW August 24 2015HD RemasterWW October 15 2019Nintendo SwitchWW August 16 2019JP March 25 2020PlayStation 4 Xbox OneWW March 26 2024Genre s Role playingMode s Single playerAn enhanced port based on the Dreamcast version and titled Grandia II Anniversary Edition was released by GungHo Online Entertainment for Steam and GOG com in August 2015 A high definition remaster of the game and the original Grandia was released for Nintendo Switch in August 2019 an associated update for the Anniversary Edition was released in October 2019 7 8 The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released in March 2024 9 The game was developed by many of the same staff members who worked on the original Grandia including music composer Noriyuki Iwadare However it was designed around creating a more mature product than the previous title and the first in the series to feature fully three dimensional graphics The game is set in a fantasy world thousands of years after a battle between Granas the god of light and Valmar the god of darkness nearly destroyed the planet until Valmar was split into pieces and scattered across the land In the aftermath of the battle the Church of Granas has led humanity to prosperity by spreading the word of good However when a young mercenary named Ryudo is charged to protect a songstress from the church named Elena their journey reveals that the church s history as well as the history of the world is not all it seems While the original Dreamcast version of the game received a largely positive response from critics in Japan and the West its later ports to the PlayStation 2 and PC were typically seen as inferior due to a combination of technical shortcomings and other high profile games released during the transition Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Plot 3 Characters 3 1 Playable characters 3 2 Non playable characters 4 Ports 5 Reception 5 1 Dreamcast version 5 2 PlayStation 2 and PC ports 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksGameplay editThe turn based battle system is based around the IP gauge Character icons move from left to right on the gauge Upon reaching the beginning of the action phase on the gauge characters select an action That action is executed when their icon reaches the end of the action phase The system supports limited movement during a battle an invisible barrier prevents characters from wandering outside the arena Characters can run from one place to another strike opponents and then retreat Selecting critical makes a character or enemy strike an opponent simultaneously If the critical lands during the opponent s action phase it will cancel the opponent s move and push the opponent s icon substantially backward along the IP gauge delaying the opponent from taking action Selecting combo makes a character land two hits on an enemy The hits can be increased with certain accessories up to four hits per combo A combo can also counter if it hits an enemy in an attack pose dealing additional damage Suppose the combo kills the intended target before reaching the final blow In that case the character will attack the closest enemy to complete the combo Characters can use magic from equipped Mana Eggs Using magic consumes MP More powerful magic takes longer to cast Special moves and spells can be learned with Skills Coins and Magic Coins and have a maximum level of 5 Spell efficiency is increased and casting time decreases as the level increases Spells can be cast instantly if a character has skills equipped giving a 100 bonus to the element of that particular spell Special move sets are learned from Skill Books then equipped onto characters Skills can boost stats or add additional effects such as increased item drops or a canceling effect to certain spells Plot editRyudo is a mercenary known as a Geohound accompanied by his talking bird companion Skye The Church of Granas hires him to escort Elena a Songstress of Granas to Garmia Tower for a ceremony Upon arrival he is asked to wait while they perform the ritual However he hears a scream and rushes up to the top floor Seeing everyone dead and Elena with a pair of wings he rescues her and both return to Carbo Village There Ryudo is asked by the priest to escort Elena to St Heim Papal State to seek Pope Zera s help to cleanse Elena of the Wings of Valmar one of several pieces of Valmar which now possesses her Before he can turn the job down the village is attacked by a mysterious winged woman who engages and defeats Ryudo in battle She introduces herself as Millenia and disappears Ryudo accepts the job and departs for St Heim with Elena In the town of Agear Millenia appears again this time more friendly and teams up with Ryudo She accidentally reveals herself as the Wings of Valmar and that she possesses Elena sharing her body as a separate being After Roan and the Beast Man Mareg join the group they find more pieces of Valmar which Millenia absorbs after they are defeated When the group arrives at St Heim Papal State Elena meets with Pope Zera who wishes to speak with Ryudo The Pope requests that he find the legendary Granasaber a weapon wielded by Granas that was used to defeat Valmar Ryudo reluctantly agrees and the group travels to Roan s hometown of Cyrum Upon arrival they rest at the inn as Roan departs The following day it is revealed that Roan is the prince and that the people of Cyrum once assisted Valmar against Granas in the ancient war The party enters the castle finds the Gate of Darkness open and discovers an ancient factory underneath the castle They encounter the Claws of Valmar and later Melfice back in the castle Melfice is Ryudo s brother and the man Mareg seeks who flees after defeating the group in battle telling Ryudo to face him at home Roan is crowned king and chooses to stay in Cyrum to encourage its people that the past does not predict their future After being rescued Tio the being possessed by the Claws and an Automata joins the group The party arrives by boat in the village of Garlan Ryudo s hometown Ryudo is immediately chastised for returning and commanded to leave He reveals that Melfice has returned and he plans to kill him to end his torment of the world At the inn a disguised Skye reveals Ryudo s history to Elena Garlan used to be a village of swordsmen with Melfice being the best However one night during a storm the idol in the hills grew restless so the villagers sent Reena Melfice s fiance to pray at the altar She didn t return and Melfice investigated being secretly followed by Ryudo In the shrine Ryudo witnessed Melfice murder Reena Ryudo later fled from town and stayed away for three years causing the villagers to believe he abandoned them hence their contempt In the morning the group travels up the mountain to confront Melfice At its peak they defeat Melfice who afterward reconciles with Ryudo and informs the group of the Granasaber s location before dying While Ryudo grieves the Horns possess him causing him to lose consciousness At the inn Elena asks Millenia for help but she initially refuses However she relents and uses her powers to seal the Horns inside of Ryudo who then awakens with a renewed sense of purpose But Elena questions Granas as it was Valmar who saved Ryudo The group travels to Nannan Mareg s hometown near the location of the Granasaber The group is then informed of the Granasaber s whereabouts within a giant cyclone to the east The group travels there and deactivates the artificial storm revealing the Granasaber However Selene the High Priestess appears and sacrifices a Cathedral Knight to revive the Body of Valmar around the Granasaber the group enters the body and destroys it Tio reveals the Granasaber as a ship teleporting the group inside and guiding the giant sword back to St Heim The Day of Darkness arrives and the group witnesses the Cathedral Knights slaughtering the townsfolk They fight their way to the cathedral where Elena reveals her true mission to absorb the pieces of Valmar so the Granasaber can destroy them Selene reappears and transforms into the Heart of Valmar but the group destroys it They catch up to Zera who reveals that Valmar was victorious in the battle against Granas who was killed He actually plans to use the absorbed pieces within Elena to bring Valmar back to life and abducts her to the Moon of Valmar The group uses the Granasaber to reach the moon and save Elena A wounded Mareg later sacrifices himself to allow the group to escape from the moon Crashing near Cyrum now besieged by monsters from the moon the group rejoins with Roan and defends the town Soon Valmar s Moon crashes into the Granas Cathedral and the new Valmar emerges Unfortunately the group finds itself without the means to defeat him Roan suggests traveling to the nearby Birthplace of the Gods for answers which reveals much about the ancient war and the origins of both gods Meeting another Automata named Elmo Ryudo chooses to confront the Horns within and is beset by many trials However he overcomes his fears and insecurities and is granted the true Granasaber The party challenges Valmar and enters his body Inside they are confronted by Zera who attacks them before sending a false Millenia after them Ryudo s party is victorious and the true Millenia now separated from Elena joins them Zera divides the group and launches a final attack against Ryudo Elena and Millenia They defeat him and destroy Valmar for good restoring peace to the world The ending shows the different characters one year after Valmar s defeat Roan is still king and embarks on a journey to find his friends Tio has become a nurse in Cyrum Millenia is a teacher and Elena tours the world as a singer in a troupe In the last scene Ryudo says goodbye to Granasaber and buries it under a tree in a remote area He concludes that humanity will care for themselves and no longer depend on gods to continue living Characters editPlayable characters edit Ryudo The main hero of the story Ryudo is a Geohound a mercenary He is skilled with a sword and shows a sharp wit He cares little for others besides himself at first however his attitude changes and he eventually wishes for a better world Elena The main heroine of the story She is a Sister of the Church of Granas and a Songstress She joins Ryudo early on in the adventure and is typically naive about most things about the world She wields strong healing and divine magic and uses a mace staff as her weapon Millenia A mysterious woman who meets Ryudo early on after the failed ceremony at Garmia Tower Revealed to be the Wings of Valmar Millenia appears to be a rather blunt hot tempered woman who initially uses Ryudo to accomplish her goals but eventually falls in love with him She uses a crossbow and absorbs pieces of Valmar to gain dark powers Roan A boy that Ryudo meets in Agear town who requests help finding his lost medal He joins Ryudo s party until it is revealed he is the prince of Cyrum kingdom whose people served Valmar during the Battle between Good and Evil He eventually becomes the king but later rejoins the party He uses daggers knives as his weapon Mareg A beast man who initially attacks Ryudo mistaking him for his brother before joining him on his journey He teaches Tio about what it means to be alive He is strong and uses an axe spear as his weapon Tio An Automata housed under Cyrum kingdom She is awakened by Ryudo s group and joins them as she has no other function She calls Mareg Master but eventually considers everyone a family She uses chakrams as her weapon Non playable characters edit Valmar The God of Darkness Destroyed broken into pieces and sealed after the Battle of Good and Evil But the pieces are being released and his revival is apparent Melfice An evil swordsman whom Mareg is valiantly pursuing he is Ryudo s brother His strength is unholy thanks to the Horns of Valmar within him His Holiness Zera The Pope of Granas Cathedral and its leader He sees the evil in the world and vows to defeat it at any cost Selene The High Priestess of Granas she follows Zera s leadership without question Her zealousness is unquestionable Skye Ryudo s trusty bird companion He s just as snarky and quick witted as Ryudo but more mature and full of wisdom Granas The God of Light Responsible for the destruction of Valmar and the sealing of his pieces Ports editGrandia II was ported to PlayStation 2 and PC after its initial release on Dreamcast In the PlayStation 2 version some textures and characters are less graphically detailed than in the Dreamcast version Also there is a tendency for graphical glitches and slow down to occur in areas with heavy graphic data For instance when a party member defeats the last enemy standing while using the weapon or accessory Warp effect the character s color scheme vanishes and only a bright white model is left On the PC port there is a glitch in the first fight with Millenia Several video files on the disc contain extra frames appearing as a freeze after casting specific spells On May 11 2015 GungHo America president Jun Iwasaki revealed to GameSpot that Grandia II will be receiving an HD remaster on Steam and GOG com Based on the Dreamcast version of the game the port will have a mouse keyboard and gamepad support Along with the visual definition upgrade it will include Steam achievements and Trading Cards 10 On August 24 2015 Grandia II Anniversary Edition for PC was released and features visual upgrades to textures lighting shadows original Japanese voice option additional difficulty level gamepad support Steam Trading Cards Steam Achievements Steam Cloud Save support PC only selectable video options remappable keyboard amp gamepad support 100 save file slots Dreamcast VMS Save File Support 11 The game received a remastered version on the Nintendo Switch as part of the Grandia HD Collection on August 16 2019 Grandia II Anniversary Edition was updated with new features and renamed to Grandia II HD Remaster on October 15 2019 customers who already own the Grandia II Anniversary Edition received the upgraded version for free 12 Changes in the remaster include enhanced details to UI sprites texture art visual enhancements to original cinematic videos widescreen support and customizable resolutions PC only Japanese and English audio and additional French and German localization 13 The remaster was released in Japan and received Japanese language support in other regions along with various fixes on March 25 2020 14 Reception editDreamcast version edit Reception Dreamcast Aggregate scoresAggregatorScoreGameRankings89 15 Metacritic90 100 16 Review scoresPublicationScoreElectronic Gaming Monthly9 10 17 Eurogamer8 10 18 Famitsu35 40 19 20 Game Informer8 10 21 GamePro5 5 22 GameRevolutionA 23 GameSpot8 5 10 UK 24 7 9 10 US 25 IGN9 2 10 26 Next Generation nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 29 Consoles 95 27 Dreamcast Magazine29 30 28 The original Dreamcast release of Grandia II received a largely positive response during its initial release in Japan earning a 9 75 out of 10 rating from Dreamcast Magazine as well as a 35 out of 40 from Weekly Famitsu which earned it the magazine s editor s choice Platinum award 20 Famitsu DC rated the game 26 out of 30 based on three reviews 20 Despite good reception sales of the game remained relatively low in the region 18 with an estimated 184 863 copies sold 30 Grandia II s English release met with an overwhelmingly positive response It received an aggregate score of 88 81 on GameRankings 15 and 90 100 on Metacritic 16 GamePro magazine found the game to be solidly built and features stunning visuals dead on controls and a innovative combat system yet remarked that that game s scenarios seemed too linear at times 22 On a similar note GameSpot stated that while the first Grandia had lengthy dungeons full of puzzles and side routes Grandia II s dungeons are more compartmental and linear affairs the game was ultimately a solid RPG even if it isn t as deep or difficult as the original 25 IGN granted the game an Editor s Choice distinction calling it a classic of the Dreamcast and remarking that its battle system was arguably the most advanced system in play today yet found the game s story and character development to be cliche and predictable 26 Eurogamer also found the game s story and gameplay to be largely methodical and despite being dubbed the best RPG on the Dreamcast in Europe and strongly recommended editors felt seasoned role playing game players would find the game too generic calling it an incredibly tough game to call 18 Electronic Gaming Monthly granted the game a 9 out of 10 earning it a Gold Award 17 Francesca Reyes reviewed the Dreamcast version of the game for Next Generation rating it four stars out of five and called the game a winner in the RPG beauty pageant that s just clever enough in the battle department to balance out an almost too straightforward storyline 29 PlayStation 2 and PC ports edit Reception Ports Aggregate scoresAggregatorScorePCPS2GameRankings78 31 32 73 33 Metacritic70 100 34 71 100 35 Review scoresPublicationScorePCPS2Electronic Gaming Monthly4 10 36 Famitsu29 40 37 Game Informer6 5 10 38 GamePro4 5 39 GameSpot7 5 10 41 7 4 10 42 GameZone8 25 10 40 IGN7 9 10 43 7 10 44 Gaming Nexus8 5 10 45 RPGFan83 46 90 47 The PlayStation 2 rerelease of Grandia II in 2002 experienced lower sales than the Dreamcast version in Japan despite a higher install base selling approximately 42 060 copies in its first month 48 In North America and Europe the game received chiefly lower reviews than the original with many publications remarking on the technical shortcomings of the port to the new console Electronic Gaming Monthly found the PlayStation version to be vastly inferior to the original citing reduced frame rate color and texture quality adding that its Inexplicably horrible graphics completely ruin an otherwise splendid title 36 GamePro found the conversion shortcomings to be essentially negligible claiming that Grandia II still holds its own as a solidly constructed but direct port in the more crowded PlayStation 2 fantasy camp while asserting that it was still overshadowed by Final Fantasy X 39 IGN still regarded the PlayStation 2 version as a good game and one of the top role playing games for the system at the time but remarked that the time and stress of transition as well as the emergence of other prominent games during the one year time frame had diluted the port s appeal 44 GameSpot called the Dreamcast release technically superior but the new version was recommended to those who did not play the original and that it was still well worth playing 42 Like the PlayStation 2 version the PC release of Grandia II had a much milder response from critics than the Dreamcast version Critiquing the game from a PC game standpoint IGN PC stated This game is not like a PC RPG It s light It s fluffy It s colorful It s not exactly deep Its storyline is console stereotypical Its jokes are silly Its gameplay is cartoony And the characters all have huge eyes and no mouths But the reviewer added that Grandia II still manages to be fun maybe even just because it s so different than most of the dark dreary and serious RPGs that find their ways to our favorite platform 43 Similarly GameSpot found that the game would be difficult for consumers accustomed to Western role playing video games to get into remarking that 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 41 Notes edit PlayStation 2 port developed by Rocket Studio 5 the Anniversary Edition developed by SkyBox Labs the HD Remaster developed by Sickhead Games Japanese グランディアII Hepburn Gurandia TsuReferences edit dreamcast ign com Releases 2000 12 02 Archived from the original on 2000 12 02 Retrieved 2023 07 31 IGN Staff 2000 07 29 Date Set for US Version of Grandia 2 IGN Retrieved 2023 07 31 IGN Staff 2002 01 30 Grandia II Ships IGN Retrieved 2023 07 31 Adams Dan 2002 02 25 Grandia II Hands on IGN Retrieved 2023 07 31 Silverwolf X RPGFan reviews Grandia II RPGFan com Archived from the original on March 12 2016 Retrieved May 26 2012 Grandia II in Japanese Sega Archived from the original on March 18 2014 Retrieved May 26 2012 Grandia and Grandia II Coming to Switch in HD Remaster IGN 20 August 2018 Archived from the original on 20 May 2021 Retrieved 25 April 2021 via www ign com GungHo America February 1 2019 We re happy to see all of the excitement for the Grandia Grandia II HD Remaster We will update everyone as so Tweet via Twitter Grandia HD Collection Launches March 26 2024 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One GungHo Online Entertainment March 12 2024 Retrieved March 12 2024 Corriea Alexa Ray 2015 05 11 Acclaimed Dreamcast RPG Grandia II Coming to Steam GameSpot Archived from the original on 2015 05 13 Retrieved 2015 05 12 Grandia II Anniversary Edition now available Gematsu 24 August 2015 Archived from the original on 6 February 2018 Grandia HD Remaster for PC set for September RPG Site 16 August 2019 Archived from the original on 18 August 2019 Grandia HD Remaster for PC delayed to October 15 Grandia HD Collection update planned for November 12 Gematsu 23 September 2019 Archived from the original on 23 September 2019 Grandia HD Collection Grandia HD Remaster and Grandia II HD Remaster version 1 01 00 updates now available Gematsu com 24 March 2020 Archived from the original on 1 April 2020 Retrieved 30 May 2020 a b Grandia II for Dreamcast GameRankings Archived from the original on 2009 09 12 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Grandia II for Dreamcast Reviews Metacritic Archived from the original on 2010 11 24 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Boyer Crispin Johnston Chris Ricciardi John Che February 2000 Grandia for Dreamcast review Electronic Gaming Monthly Ziff Davis Media p 156 a b c Bramwell Tom 2001 04 20 Grandia II Review Eurogamer Archived from the original on 2010 12 18 Retrieved 2009 10 29 ドリームキャスト グランディアII Weekly Famitsu No 915 Pt 2 Pg 43 June 30 2006 a b c Williamson Collin 2000 07 31 Everyone Scores with Japanese Magazine Scores IGN Archived from the original on 2011 06 06 Retrieved 2009 10 29 Grandia II for Dreamcast Review Game Informer GameStop Corporation February 2000 a b Bro Buzz February 2004 Grandia II Review from GamePro GamePro Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 Grandia II Review Gamerevolution com 2001 01 01 Archived from the original on 2016 03 12 Retrieved 2016 03 11 Modupe Ayinde GameSpot UK Grandia II Review Archived from the original on November 22 2001 Retrieved 2016 03 11 a b Provo Frank 2002 03 13 Grandia II for Dreamcast Review GameSpot Archived from the original on 2015 01 01 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Chen Jeff 2000 12 01 IGN Grandia II Review IGN Archived from the original on 2010 03 16 Retrieved 2009 10 29 Consoles issue 109 pages 68 71 Dreamcast Magazine issue 2000 26ex page 22 Archived 2016 03 04 at the Wayback Machine a b Reyes Francesca February 2001 Finals Grandia II Next Generation Lifecycle 2 Vol 3 2 74 Dreamcast Japanese Ranking Japan GameCharts 2008 Archived from the original on January 17 2008 Retrieved 2009 11 05 Grandia II Anniversary Edition for PC GameRankings 2015 08 24 Archived from the original on 2016 03 12 Retrieved 2016 03 11 Grandia II for PC GameRankings Archived from the original on 2009 09 20 Retrieved 2009 10 29 Grandia II for PlayStation 2 GameRankings Archived from the original on 2010 01 12 Retrieved 2009 10 29 Grandia II for PC Reviews Metacritic Archived from the original on 2011 10 23 Retrieved 2009 10 29 Grandia II for PlayStation 2 Reviews Metacritic Archived from the original on 2011 11 05 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Boyer Crispin Johnston Chris Ricciardi John Che January 2002 Grandia for PlayStation 2 review Electronic Gaming Monthly Ziff Davis Media グランディアII まとめ PS2 ファミ通 com Famitsu com Archived from the original on 2016 03 12 Retrieved 2016 03 11 Grandia II for PlayStation 2 Review Game Informer GameStop Corporation March 2002 p 79 a b Bro Buzz January 2002 Grandia II Review from GamePro GamePro Archived from the original on 2011 06 07 GameZone com PlayStation 2 Game Reviews Grandia II Archived from the original on February 17 2002 Retrieved 2016 03 11 a b Kasavin Greg 2000 09 22 Grandia II for PC Review GameSpot Archived from the original on 2015 01 08 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Kasavin Greg 2002 02 08 Grandia II for PlayStation 2 Review GameSpot Archived from the original on 2013 10 26 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Adams Dan 2002 03 08 IGN Grandia II Review IGN Archived from the original on August 3 2002 Retrieved 2009 10 29 a b Smith David 2002 04 06 IGN Grandia II Review IGN Archived from the original on 2010 05 23 Retrieved 2009 10 29 Grandia II Anniversary Edition Review Gaming Nexus 2015 08 25 Archived from the original on 2016 03 12 Retrieved 2016 03 11 RPGFan Reviews Grandia II Rpgfan com Archived from the original on 2016 03 04 Retrieved 2016 03 11 RPGFan Reviews Grandia II Rpgfan com Archived from the original on 2016 03 12 Retrieved 2016 03 11 Top 30 Weekly Sales Report Weekly Famitsu in Japanese No 694 Enterbrain Inc 2002 03 10 External links editOfficial Grandia HD Collection website Grandia II HD Remaster at GungHo America Grandia II at MobyGames Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Grandia II amp oldid 1216388662, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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