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my real problem is my inability to not compare it to Grandia II, I think. But I'll be continuing on. It's a relief to know that "it's not just me" with that opening town, and that shit gets more straight forward afterwards.

So I started playing today and just got to the Sult Ruins... like others, I'm not exactly wowed by what I've experienced so far.
In my mind, I'm constantly comparing this title to two other RPGs: Game Arts' 32-bit Lunar games and Dragon Warrior VII. The 3D graphics and combat system feels like a step back from Lunar's greatness, although in a way that might have had a little more mainstream appeal in that 2D was a turn-off for a lot of gamers. I also am finding the voice acting to be... definitely not up to the standards Working Designs would have set.
Dragon Warrior VII is similar in that it has 3D maps that can be rotated around to explore hidden places, but that game's maps are so much more well-designed. I feel like I have to constantly spin the camera around and so far the locations never seem to have a really clear layout.

Also I really wish this came out in the US for Saturn. I know the differences are tiny, but I have a lot more love for Saturn than for Playstation!

THOSE CRITICISMS ASIDE, the game's doing a good job of holding my interest and I'm looking forward to continuing the game and seeing how it progresses! I like the designs of the characters and the meals are a really interesting innovation! I think I'm going to enjoy this game overall even if the start is a little awkward.

The Lunar games look better graphically, but Grandia's battles are loads more fun.

And yeah, now that I think of it most RPGs with the spinny camera don't have the issues Grandia has.

You spin the camera in the Dragon Quest games and Skies of Arcadia simply to get a different view of your surroundings. In Grandia you spin it just to see where the hell you're going. Those little triangular thingies in the dungeons do help, but the fact that they exist should have tipped off the map designers that maybe they should tweak things a bit.

Played about an hour or so tonight, got through the scavenger hunt and first dinner. Game has a charm to it that is immediately evident to me, even if the gameplay so far isn't quite measuring up. Looking forward to getting into the meat of it.

Justin's mom is hot tho, amirite?

BoneSnapDeez wrote:Justin's mom is hot tho, amirite?

She can whack me with a tray anytime, srs.

noiseredux wrote:my real problem is my inability to not compare it to Grandia II, I think.

This is the reason I've never played Grandia. I love Grandia 2 so much that I feel like the original can't possibly live up to the same standard.

I just found out that Grandia has full analogue support

Seven hours in.

Feena was kidnapped. Gotta rescue ma girl now.

Best track of the OST so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kFU-e5TSZQ