A look back at: Grandia

I was actually recommended this game, and it certainly is one of Game Arts' finest ones. Grandia was one heck of a grind though.

Yes, there's quite a lot in terms of grinding in this classic PSX RPG, but not in the usual way. Character levels are meaningless when I played, instead, I focus exclusively on weapon and magic levels, each of which had to be used multiple times to really get the most out of them. Quite hard for a balancing act, especially magic. On the plus side, the monsters are visible on the field, so gaining an initiative can be a bit easier to do, although getting ambushed is honestly just as easy. Still though, the battle system is very fun and very unique, knowing which enemies are attacking what, and how fast your characters can act. Not to mention despite its linearity in how characters leave the party, they at least give you experience items so the newer characters end up not falling too far behind.

It's quite a comical plot at first, but really gets its own at Disc 2. Before that, it's a comical sort of adventure overall, with Justin being a goofball in a lot of ways, but still being a romanticist adventurer seeking the End of the World amongst other things, with Sue and Feena tagging along. People are often revered, like Feena and Gadwin, yet in party they are pretty much okay overall. Justin at least is the determinator even when the Garlyle forces impede his progress. With Feena along for the ride, we reach Disc 2.

This is where I enjoy Grandia a lot more, as the plot goes from funny and comical to actually quite serious. We see the atrocities that Gaia has committed to villages were Rapp and Milda were from, as well as Feena's newer abilities and her connection to Leen. The idea of actually finding Liete and having her join is also excellent. Justin also hates the idea of sacrifices, similar to the ideas in Wild Arms 2, he tells Mullen that the Gaia will just revive later. Destroying it at the heart of it all seems like a sacrificial thing to do, but at least Justin manages to survive along with all the friends he has along the way for an absolutely wonderful ending. So yes, a change in plot like that really made this game something I really enjoyed, as is the gameplay, and despite the fact I did all that grinding, Grandia still holds a high regard as a good RPG.