GRANDIA HD Remaster

[h1][b] TLDR: A charming and wholesome adventure buried under dozens of hours of too many dungeons, grindy progression, and combat too shallow to justify its length. [/b] [/h1] [h1]PROS: [/h1] ➕Great adventure vibe and story - feels a bit like Indiana Jones ➕Classic JRPG gameplay [h1]CONS: [/h1] ➖Locked to 30 FPS ➖Camera and bland world can make navigation challenging ➖Lacks QoL - no speed up/battle booster, autosave, ect. ➖Clunky combat can often lead to wasted turns and missed attacks due to poor AI navigation/getting stuck ➖Learning new abilities is a Grind (capital G) ➖Unbalanced difficulty - enemies can wipe your party in a single turn if they go first vs. enemies never getting a turn to attack if you go first [h1] [b] Content (Game world/Narrative) – [4/10] [/b] [/h1] The game world is pretty large. It’s dozens and dozens of various maps of different biomes that take you through the story. There is a good amount of exploration and items to find in the dungeons, most of it is currency (gold) or consumable items with each dungeon only containing a couple pieces of gear, generally. The game throws so many dungeons at you that I started to get fatigue after doing the first 2 optional dungeons. As I stared at the 3rd and final one and looked at the map, I seriously considered if I wanted to continue. The narrative starts out as an interesting adventure, but tapers off. The best I can describe it is kind of like a kid version of Indiana Jones with the thrill of adventure driving Justin, the protagonist, into lands never traversed by man. It’s exciting at the start, but after about 50 hours in, I was very ready for it to be over….then it goes for another 30 hours past that. Right when [spoiler]Sue leaves the party[/spoiler] is when the narrative starts losing its appeal. [h1][b] Gameplay (Mechanics/Difficulty) – [3/10] [/b] [/h1] The gameplay loop revolves around traversing through a dungeon for story purposes. The dungeons can be a pain to navigate, though some are pretty short. The progression system is simple, yet grindy - you unlock new moves by leveling up magic, which takes dozens of casts of terrible spells in combat. There’s equipment, but noting that really shakes up the core combat, which consists of a turn-based approach, but everyone is on an active time gauge, and attacking enemies, or getting attacked, can stall or reverse your gauge. Melee attacks are completed by the character running at the enemy, which the AI often gets stuck and runs around, losing out on their turn. Towards the end of the game, progression falls off a cliff and even with the characters best moves, you’re still bound by limited SP and MP to perform them, thus falling back to the same old basic attacks. The difficult can range from stupid easy to cheaply difficult. Most of the game is laughably easy, with most encounters ending before the enemy can get a turn off due to constant attacks freezing their turn guage. However, if you get ambushed, which means if a monster approaches you from behind on the overhead map, they go first, and you’re often at the mercy of whatever powerful or weak moves a monster has. I’ve had combats where a monster spammed 3 AOE attacks, instantly killing 2 of my 4 members before I could even act. [h1] [b] Graphics (Quality/Technical) – [5/10] [/b] [/h1] Poor. It’s obviously a PS1 game, but the remaster does absolutely nothing other than make it run on modern systems and a better resolution. The maps are terrible, the camera angle makes it often hard to navigate and the menu UI is cumbersome when you can’t even easily shift between characters. The technical side is actually very good. Aside from being locked to 30 FPS, which isn’t terribly noticeable when the graphics look like poop, but I didn’t crash once. Even when leaving it on for hours at a time. Solid port. The only “Bug” I encountered was the terrible AI that misses their own turns due to getting stuck on other sprites. 1440p @ 240hz | installed on SSD [h1] [b] Audio – [6/10] [/b] [/h1] The music is okay, nothing really special. The sound effects are a bit surprising, there’s even sound for footsteps. Most surprising is voice acting. It’s not fully voice acted, and it’s not the best quality, but for its age and the PS1-era, props to that. [h1] [b] Replay Factor (Longevity) – [2/10] [/b] [/h1] Not great, there doesn’t seem to be much divergence from the storyline path. No player choices or builds to do, no options or classes of the sort to shake up the gameplay style. The only reason to ever replay this is for the story or achievements. [h1] [b] Final Verdict – [4/10] [/b] [/h1] Grandia, oh Grandia. I first played this game when I was a kid. It was one of my first JRPGs ever. For the life of me I can’t remember if I finished it, so I was absolutely determined to finish it this go, hence my playtime. Grandia does one thing well - the lighthearted story feels like a real adventure that every kid wanted to have. Yes, I’d say the story doesn’t really end up lighthearted as you do the usual trope of saving the world, and it does taper off near the middle to the point of screaming at your screen, “WHAT?! ANOTHER dungeon?!”. But it does have a beginning that’s hard to compare. It’s an adventure that I’ve thought about and remember much of these past ~25 years, so that’s saying something. But beyond that, Grandia is just really hard to recommend. I spent 90+ hours finishing this game (my save file time, not Steam time), and I’d say that’s about 30+ hours too much. The game just continues on with yet another dungeon and the combat system isn’t deep enough to support playing that long. Near the end I have every ability unlocked and there’s literally nothing to do but get some levels….and it’s been like this for a dozen hours! The game would be much better if it were more focused and just cut out a solid ~25% of its content. Overall, I cannot recommend Grandia. It’s simple story and simple mechanics do not justify the length of the game and the amount of mediocre dungeons thrown at you. [h1] [b] Recommend? (Price) [Y/N] [/b] [/h1] [h1]No[/h1] $20 for this consider its age and severe lack of QoL is a big no. Even on sale for $10 is stretching it. Honestly, I would say $5-7 is a good price point. You can find my curator page here: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/Synik_GR

While it is not a bad game it is just to damn long due to the slow combat, and high enemy rate. Story and Voice acting is both good and bad. sometimes its well done allowing you to just "go with it" while other times you laugh at how bad it is or straight up bored. the first half of the game is the most charming while the second half goes on and on. but the start of the game combat is boring and requires a lot of waiting to get your spells leveled up. which you won't feel how useful they are until halfway into the game. final 15-20 hours didn't need to be so long. Best tip I can offer is. "Do not grind for spells. you will have enough fights if you progress and explore for loot normally."

一场纯真的冒险旅途，全程玩的很开心，剧情编排和人物塑造都很棒。唯一不满的是地图指引弱，经常迷路，而且有些迷宫得走回头路出去，本来就很绕。。。

Isso sim que é jogo. Não te carrega pela mão, mas te mostra o caminho caso você tenha interesse e paciência em aprender. O jogo está aí, jogue se quiser... Um grande JRPG de turno Uma grande aventura Uma grande história Um grande GAME Agora só falta-me upar um pouco pra finalizar, pq o fdp do último boss ta na tpm, duas fases é pracabá... Hoje ou amanhã eu termino... Mas quem for ler isso daqui um mês ou em 500 anos no futuro, saiba que já terminei. É... Foi totoso demais! Uma grande obra. 10/10 No mais, que falta faz jogos assim hoje em dia hein...?! Joguei com vontade de jogar e não como se fosse uma obrigação jogar.

Grandia: A Timeless JRPG Classic Worth Rediscovering Personal Connection Disclaimer: Grandia holds a special place in my heart as one of my absolute favourite games of all time. I first played it as a redheaded 14-year-old obsessed with adventure, and it perfectly captured that youthful spirit of exploration and wonder. The game resonated deeply with me during those formative years, blending light-hearted fun with moments of genuine emotional weight. Even decades later, it remains a benchmark for what makes a JRPG truly special. I played songs from it in my wedding, and listened to Edge of the World when I left my parents to move to another country. If you grew up loving classic adventures, Grandia feels like returning to an old friend, one that still delivers joy, not like woke "joy", but actual, real joy...on every revisit. Breathtaking Soundtrack The soundtrack is nothing short of breathtaking. Composer Noriyuki Iwadare crafted a masterpiece that perfectly complements every moment of the journey. The theme tune is adventure INCARNATE and from whimsical town themes that sparkle with innocence to sweeping orchestral pieces during dramatic revelations, the music elevates the entire experience. Battle tracks are energetic and pulse-pounding, while quieter moments offer hauntingly beautiful melodies that linger long after you’ve put the controller down. It’s one of those rare soundtracks that stands alone as a work of art—emotional, memorable, and perfectly atmospheric. Fans of epic JRPG scores will find themselves humming these tunes for years, or perhaps they'll play one in their wedding intro, like I did. Memorable and Endearing Characters The characters are memorable and genuinely endearing, even when their voices can get really annoying sometimes (vocal performances were a new concept in JRPGs in 1997). Justin, the optimistic young adventurer, feels like a stand-in for every kid who dreamed of heroism, until he realizes the scope of what faces him. His companions, innocent Sue, sensible but romantic Feena, and others like stoic Gadwin and badass Rapp, Guido and Milda (plus no spoilers for the last entry) bring distinct personalities, sharp banter, and heartfelt growth. Their interactions sparkle with humour and warmth, making you truly care about their fates. The voice acting (in the original or enhanced versions) adds charm, and the character designs capture that classic 90s anime aesthetic beautifully. They evolve naturally throughout the story, turning a simple party into a found family you’ll root for until the credits roll. Best-in-Class Battle System The battle system is, bar none, my favourite JRPG combat system ever created. It’s dynamic, strategic, and incredibly satisfying. The IP ( Initiative Point) gauge creates tense, real-time positioning where timing your moves can interrupt enemies or flatten enemies in one round. Magic, skills, and special attacks feel impactful, and the flexibility keeps fights fresh even dozens of hours in. There’s genuine joy in experimenting with party setups and learning enemy patterns. Unlike many turn-based systems that can feel rigid, Grandia’s approach rewards clever play and gives every encounter weight. It strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and depth, approachable for newcomers yet endlessly rewarding for veterans. Joyful Leveling and Progression Leveling in Grandia offers real joy and remarkable flexibility. The skill system lets you grow characters organically by using abilities in battle, unlocking new spells and techniques through meaningful use rather than arbitrary grinding. Stats improve in satisfying ways, and the system encourages experimentation. You feel genuine progression as your party matures from wide-eyed beginners into capable heroes. This system avoids the tedium common in the genre, turning character development into an engaging loop that keeps you invested for the long haul. Story: From Whimsy to Horror The narrative masterfully transitions from childhood whimsy to world-ending horror. It begins as a charming tale of youthful adventure and discovery, then gradually reveals deeper stakes, moral complexity, and genuine darkness. This tonal shift feels earned and emotionally powerful, making the later acts hit with surprising intensity. It’s a true romantic classic, full of heart, heroism, and wonder—that respects the player’s intelligence. Recommendation If you’ve ever loved Breath of Fire III, Suikoden I, or Suikoden II, you owe it to yourself to play Grandia. Its blend of heartfelt storytelling, innovative combat, unforgettable music, and endearing cast makes it a must-experience classic. Whether you’re a longtime JRPG fan or someone looking for a hidden gem, Grandia delivers magic that still holds up beautifully today.

10/10 - I love this game - one of the true JRPG classics out there. I still remember buying the original on PSX, and how I was instantly hooked. Is it perfect? Of course not. Some voice acting is subpar, the magic system can be cheesed, and characters may or may not be total idiots and run around in circles when trying to get to an enemy. Buuuuut... I still love this game.

It's a classic for a reason. It's captures the feeling of childhood summer adventure perfectly. One of my favorite moments is when Justin is about to leave home for the new world. He gets up really early and when you go outside it's foggy and misty with birds singing. Just like when you would get up early as a kid to go somewhere new.

Amazing game for anybody looking to get into their first JRPG to the genre veterans looking for a fun, light-hearted adventure. Great cast of characters, a bit on the easier side but more accessible and not really boring, a cool leveling/skill system that encourages trying out different abilities, and a story that's easy to follow, but engaging and has its fun moments. It is more linear than others in the genre at the time, but it never hindered the experience to me. Easily worth the $20, $10 on sale. As a remaster it's one of the more disappointing ones in my opinion. It does its purpose - making the full game accessible to a new generation of gamers, and I've had no issues playing it on my PC aside from it running slow a couple of times. Unlike other remastered games though it doesn't really add any content or customization to the experience, and getting this game to run on Deck is a little janky. I've also heard it introduced bugs, but I haven't encountered any aside from the couple slowdowns from before. I still recommend it in general, but anyone looking to pick this up hoping there'd be more content than the Saturn/PS1 may be disappointed.