Together Retro: Grandia

[BogusMeatFactory]

Played some more today; just about at the 24 hour mark and I just finished up the stuff in the Village of Gumbo. I'm hoping the next location actually gets back to the story with the spirit stone/Anjelou-stuff. And maybe the military storyline will come back too? It feels like I've been kind of wandering around from place to place for too long!

Oh you will be in for a treat soon!

[ninjainspandex]

just got to Luc village, about 19hours in. I haven't been this addicted to an RPG since I played Skies of Arcadia a few years ago, I dunno how to explain it but this game has such a similar vibe to SOA.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Well I suppose I will tackle one of the ...

optional dungeons

... tomorrow. Even if it proves to be too annoying / difficult to complete (like the one in Star Ocean 2) I can at least use it as a spot to grind out levels some more.

In the meantime, I've left off at the Alqada Hotel (wha??? and the game has "Twin Towers"???).

just got to Luc village, about 19hours in. I haven't been this addicted to an RPG since I played Skies of Arcadia a few years ago, I dunno how to explain it but this game has such a similar vibe to SOA.

Yeah Grandia and Skies of Arcadia both have that "going on an adventure with my friends!" vibe to them. The world of Skies is so much more immersive and interesting, but Grandia's battle system is vastly superior. Both games are excellent.

[alienjesus]

I hadn't played since last weekend, but today I sat down and blasted through some more of this game for a few hours.

I'm now 25 hours in and I just finished the events at Gumbo and the Volcano.

Character stats:

Justin
Level 17
Sword 9
Mace 13
Axe 12
Fire 3
Wind 14
Water 17
Earth 4

Sue
Level 15
Mace 11
Bow 12
Wind 5
Water 14
Earth 16

Feena
Level 17
Knife 10
Whip 18
Fire 13
Wind 14
Water 14
Earth 6

Gadwin
Level 30
Sword 21
Fire 6
Earth 7

[Nemoide]

Okay, I'm over 27.5 hours in. There was some character-drama and I'll be crossing the Sea of Mermaids next!

I had to look up the ages of the characters today because I really haven't been a fan of the Justin/Feena romance. I was assuming that Justin was, like, 12 (he starts off collecting old junk as pretend-armor... KIND OF CHILDISH BEHAVIOR) and that Feena was closer to 20 (I mean, she's the most famous adventurer in New Parm, has the respect of a bunch of crusty old sailors, and almost got married. NOT EVEN TOUCHING the fact that her twin sister is a super-high-ranking military officer!?) so the fact that she's all "wow Justin you are sooooo inspiring" just didn't ring true. But apparently Feena's only 15 and Justin is 14, so it kind of makes sense. I still don't really buy it, but whatever.
Also: the fact that I had to revisit Gadwin's house was a paaaain. So much unnecessary combat against weak monsters who can't even touch me! I wish I could have had some monster repellant!
I'm still really liking the game as a whole but am not a fan of the dungeons.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Also: the fact that I had to revisit Gadwin's house was a paaaain. So much unnecessary combat against weak monsters who can't even touch me! I wish I could have had some monster repellant!

I know right!? That was the most annoying part of the game, outside of the beginning. I just tried to run by the and to no avail.

[BoneSnapDeez]

The 42½ hours estimate at HowLongToBeat is a total lie!

I'm about 41½ hours in. Took a peak a a walkthough. Not even close to being done. Maybe 70% of the way.

I have been grinding and playing at a relaxed pace. Maybe that accounts for something? Additionally,

Two bonus dungeons down. The boss at the end of the second one is perhaps the "hardest" I've encountered in the game.

Not even touching that third bonus dungeon. From what I can tell it's one of those "challenge dungeons." You know the type - it's giant and difficult with multiple bosses residing inside. Likely the most difficult area of the game. I typically ignore this sort of thing, and I really would just like to get the game wrapped up.

Currently in the abandoned area of Laine Village.

One "problem" I've noticed recently is that Justin and Feena are way more powerful and faster than my other two characters. They generally seem to attack first and second and 90% of the enemies I face can be defeated with just the two of them. Hell, 50% of the battles can be wrapped up after one Justin turn! I have to go out of my way to use the other two characters, usually by having Justin and Feena buff or attack only one enemy or whatever.

And yeah, generally speaking the ages of characters in JRPGs never make a lick of sense. You have brilliant scientists and battle-hardened warriors who haven't even hit puberty yet. And then you have the old wise sages with long flowing beards. Ya know, the 30 year olds.

As for Grandia, isn't Sue supposed to be around 8 years old?

[darsparx]

Well looking for Java....man I don't know if i want his dirty passport anyways.....yuck (3 hours in apparently feels like only 30 mins)

You can do it Darsparx! Don't let this be another Final Fantasy situation!

Definitely won't be, since I'm off for the next few days I hope to blast through to the wall hopefully

[darsparx]

Heading into Leck Mines, as soon as i get home I'm going to hopefully grind this one out and get to the end. Though if i recall correctly I almost rage quit at this section so maybe I can grind a little bit and beat it out(though I think last time I couldn't upgrade equipment so now that i've got the best you can buy at this point maybe it won't be as bad). I think the rage quit was going to happen because I kept having my tail handed to me the quicker i tried to rush through it and the equipment thing but mostly the rush through with under leveled...

[TSTR]

yeah so i am about to go through some mountains now w00t