Last night, I finally finished Grandia 2, a game I’d been chipping away at for a while. As a big fan of the original Grandia, I went in with a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. Unfortunately, the optimism quickly faded. While the game isn’t terrible, it falls far short of its predecessor and left me feeling pretty disappointed. I would rate this game, 4 out of 10.
A Story That Lost Its Way
One of my biggest issues with Grandia 2 is the story. It starts with a somewhat intriguing premise, but it quickly becomes convoluted and messy. There are too many plot threads, sudden shifts in tone, and moments that just don’t make a lot of sense. The first Grandia had a simple, charming narrative about a boy’s journey to become an adventurer. Grandia 2 tries to be much grander and more epic, but it ends up feeling unfocused and, frankly, a bit pretentious.
Shallow Characters, Despite Attempts at Depth
The characters were another letdown. While the game attempts to give them complex backstories and motivations, they mostly fall flat. Ryudo, the protagonist, is the classic cynical mercenary, but his development feels rushed and unearned. The supporting cast is similarly underdeveloped, with their personalities often reduced to a single defining trait. I never really connected with any of them on an emotional level, which is a stark contrast to the memorable cast of the first game.
Gimmicks Over Substance
Grandia 2 introduces a few new gameplay mechanics, like a more customizable skill system and special “Mana Eggs”. However, these additions feel like gimmicks rather than genuine improvements. They don’t add much depth to the core gameplay, and in some cases, they even make it feel more clunky. The combat system, while still enjoyable at times, also suffers from some pacing issues and repetitive enemy encounters.
Not as Grand as the First
Overall, Grandia 2 felt like a step backward in almost every way. The magic, charm, and sense of wonder that made the original so special are largely absent. While it had its moments, the messy story, shallow characters, and reliance on gimmicky mechanics left me feeling underwhelmed. It’s a shame because there’s potential here, but it’s buried under layers of questionable design choices.
If you are a player that played Grandia 2, tell me what you thought about the game!