Grandia II is a video game in the Grandia series made by Game Arts. The game was originally released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000, but got ported to both the Sony PlayStation 2 and the PC in 2002. The game itself is a Japanese style anime-RPG incorporating high-quality (for that time) 3D graphics, voice-overs and music. It was to have been the premier RPG for the Dreamcast. Many still believe that it holds this position, and it is rarely challenged within its genre. In addition to the story and battle system, the game is also notable for its musical score, written by the acclaimed Noriyuki Iwadare.
| Grandia II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Game Arts |
| Publisher(s) |  Sega
  Ubisoft |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, PC |
| Release | August 3, 2000 (DC) December 6, 2000 (DC) February 21, 2001 (DC) January 28, 2002 (PS2) February 21, 2002 (PS2) March 10, 2002 (PC) March 28, 2002 (PS2) April 12, 2002 (PC) |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Storyline
The story focuses around Ryudo, a Geohound (a kind of mercenary), along with his talking bird, Skye. Together they accepted a mission from the church, being a bodyguard to Elena, a Songstress of Granas, on her way to Garmia Tower. At Garmia Tower however, the plot thickens and Ryudo and Elena find themself traveling all over the world they're trying to save, along with new friends and new enemies.
The story is preceded by a war between two gods, 10,000 years before the current events. In this war, Valmar, the Devil of Darkness, battles Granas, the God of Light, along with their followers. This war devastates the planet and it is said that Granas's sword tore a series of giant cliffs over the face of the planet called the Granacliffs as it fell from the sky. In legend, Granas defeated Valmar, but had not destroyed him. Parts of Valmar's body, his essence, are stored all over the world in seals maintained by the church of Granas while Granas sleeps, regaining strength. Unfourtunately,unknown to the general population of the world, Granas was actually killed by Valmar during the Battle of Good and Evil. Evil won and good lost. Only a few individuals, mostly members of the church of Granas, are aware that Granas is actually dead and that Valmar was the winner of that war. It was decided long ago to hide the truth of Granas's death to prevent the world from sinking into chaos and barbarism, as the population would know themselves to be effectively doomed. For an unknown reason, the church did not hide the fact that the moon of Valmar would appear in the sky to signal his revival. However, Granas left a powerful reminder of his legacy behind in the form of the Granasaber.
Characters
Ryudo
- Name: Ryudo
- Age: 17
- Occupation: Geohound (mercenary)
- English voice actor: Cam Clarke
Ryudo is the main protagonist of the game. Initially rude toward people, with a very sarcastic and cynical attitude, he later comes to terms with the causes of his bitter behavior, which stem from traumatic events in his past. His character develops substantially throughout the game, as he learns through experiences with his friends and teammates about the concept of caring for others. Ryudo is typically accompanied his talking bird, Skye; and even although they spend most of the time mocking each other, they can't live without each other. At the beginning of the game, Ryudo has just completed a mission as a Geohound, and is preparing for some time off. However, he instead discovers a new task for him, ordered by the church of Granas. He must accompany and protect a young Songstress of Granas named Elena on her way to Garmia tower for a ceremony to strengthen a magical seal. At the tower however, complications arise, and Ryudo is reluctantly bought into a long quest and a frenetic series of events, during which discovers himself, how to love, and how to be a true hero.
His moves include the Tenseiken Slash, Purple Lightning, Flying Tenseiken. Following Melfice's death, he can learn the Sky Dragon Slash. Ryudo attacks using a sword.
Elena
- Name: Elena
- Age: 17
- Occupation: Songstress of Granas
- English voice actress: Jennifer Hale
Elena is a young songstress of Granas. She is mild-mannered, polite, and devoted to her faith. As a result of this, she often clashes with Ryudo, her bodyguard. She has lived a sheltered life, and cannot understand how people can be hateful, spiteful, or cynical as he is. She can be said to fall under the requisite Mary Sue archetype seen so often in RPG's. Along with Ryudo, she develops as a character throughout the game, losing her naive ideals and gaining more wordly views. Conversely, she also maintains her fervent belief in Granas, and will put her service to the church before anything, including her friends. Elena is a foil of the character Millennia, who she shares a body with due to a curse obtained early in the game. As the game progresses the two compete for Ryudos affections, however Elena's devout servitude to the church makes it difficult for her to commit to another cause.
Her moves include the Impact Bomb, Nightmare Ball, Droplets of Life, and White Apocalypse. All moves are available from the beginning of the game. Elena uses a staff.
Millenia
- Name: Millenia
- Age: Unknown, appears to be in her late teens. Presumed 17.
- Occupation: None
- English voice actress: Jodi Benson
Millenia is somewhat a mystery. Initially, it is unknown where she is from though it is evident she is part of Valmar's body which has escaped and apparently taken human form after the failure of the ceremony at Garmia tower. Without provocation, she attacks the village where Ryudo and Elena are resting before making another trip. Her personality is brash, immature, self-confident to the point of arrogance and seductive yet someone who managed to look past all that realizes she's also got the innocence and caring attitude of a little girl, an attitude not quite what one would expect from a part of the god of darkness. She appears from time to time, and absorbs pieces of Valmar following certain boss battles. By doing so, she gains a special move from each, adding to her repertoire. It is never explained why Millenia differs so radically from the other parts of Valmar. In the end, Roan will visit her in Liligue city. She is now a teacher and lives with Skye as a companion.
Her initial moves include Arrow Shot, Heel Crush, and Fallen Wings. She can learn Starving Tongue after battling the Tongue of Valmar, Spellbinding Eye after battling the Eye of Valmar, and Grudging Claws after battling the Claws of Valmar. She can also attack from a distance with her crossbow.
Roan
- Name: Roan
- Age: 13
- Occupation: King of Cyrum
- English voice actress: B.J. Ward
Roan is a kid that Ryudo, Elena and Millenia encounter along the way to the Granas cathedral. Having lost a precious memento from his departed mother to a horde of monsters who invaded a town he was visiting, he asks Ryudo for help, who in his own crude fashion told Roan he was already busy. Shortly after, Roan leaves to search for his medal on his own and after word gets out he's missing, Millenia volunteers herself and Ryudo to find Roan, which they do. From that point on, Roan travels with the party. Roan shows an understanding far beyond his age, yet he still approaches a lot of common things with boyish curiosity and surprisingly good manners. He leaves the party toward the middle of the game to make room for Tio, and to take over as the King of Cyrum. When he rejoins your party toward the end of the game, he has improved moves. At the end of the game, you will play as Roan to finish up the rest of Grandia 2.
His moves include Golden Hammer, Dragon Rise, Snowball Fight, and Vitality March. When he rejoins the party, Dragon Rise has been replaced with True Dragon Rise and Snowball Fight with Ice Prison. He attacks using a knive.
Mareg
- Name: Mareg
- Age: Late 30s. Exact age unknown.
- Occupation: Warrior
- English voice actor: Peter Lurie
A beast-man Ryudo, Elena and Roan encounter along the way to the Granas cathedral. Mareg initially mistakes Ryudo for someone else who attacked his village and in blind rage attacks the party. Later on, the party meets up with Mareg again and after some formal introductions, Mareg joins. He explains the reason for the attack was vengeance on the demon-man Melfice who attack his village, Nanan, and that the smell of Ryudo was nearly identical to the smell of Melfice because Ryudo and Melfice are brothers. Physically impressive, wielding a huge halberd and being of great height, he's also the philosopher of the party, reminding everyone of possible dangers, risks and counteractions. His tribe also has an extremely keen sense of smell, allowing Mareg to smell certain things miles away. Usually calm, passive and open-minded, though his lust for vengeance brings out the worst of him at times. Mareg sacrificed himself to allow Ryudo, Elena, and Tio to escape Valmar's Moon on the Granasaber.
His moves include the Beast-Fang Cut, Beast-King Smash, Beast-King Blast, and Lion's Roar. He uses a poleaxe.
Tio
- Name: Tio
- Age: At least 10,000 years old.
- Occupation: Automata
- English voice actress: Kim Mai Guest
Tio is an automata, a forgotten remnant from the war between Granas and Valmar 10,000 years ago. Laying dormant under a castle for 10,000 years and being infused with a part of Valmar for safe-keeping, Ryudo and his party encounter her during and expedition into the hidden automata factory. Initially hostile because ordered to attack intruders, her ordeal with fighting the party as a part of Valmar knocked her systems offline for a while, at which Mareg brings her to the above world. After lingering around and being told to be free several times, Mareg develops sympathy for Tio, who currently lacks any sort of feeling or emotion. Tio's personality initially simply does not exist: She's an automata and personalities are not encoded into war machines. Over the course of the game however, she develops a motherly personality due to being with the party. Her ability to truly express her emotions fully blossom after Mareg's death. Additionally, she obtains the skill Whisper to the Stars after this happens. She eventually becomes a nurse in the Kingdom of Cyrum, and Roan will speak with her before he leaves Cyrum on his own.
Her moves are the Lotus Flower, Fast-Dance Whirl, Tornado, and Whisper to Stars (which she can learn following Mareg's death). She attacks with chakram.
Battle system
Grandia II sports a unique battle system known as the Ultimate Action Battle System which is more tactical than what is usual on computer RPGs, especially those developed by Japanese companies. Apart from the usual real-time yet turn-based battle system as is known from the Final Fantasy series, the game also supports limited movement during the battle. Characters run around, strike their opponent and run somewhere else. With some good (or bad) timing, either the player or the computer can "cancel" a move, causing a character's or monster's time to strike to be lengthened or if acting out a move, canceling it entirely. The battle system is generally considered one of the games' strongest points.
Combo
A combo attack allows a character to land two hits on an enemy. They are quick to use, and the hits can be increased with certain accessories, up to four hits per combo. A combo attack can also "counter" if it hits an enemy in an attack pose, dealing additional damage. Additionally, if the combo kills the intended target before reaching the final blow, the character attempts to attack the closest enemy to complete the combo.
Critical
A critical attack is a single stored hit that cancels an enemy's attack. They are slower to use, and are primarily used to prevent an enemy from using an especially powerful move. Critical attack usually deals less damage than a full Combo. Each character's first move also carries a "cancel" effect. Critical attacks can "counter."
Moves
Each character can use moves, using up SP. The battle pauses when a move is executed. Moves may also deal IP damage, delaying an enemy's actions. Moves must be learned with Skill Coins, and have a max level of 5. Move damage is increased and execution time is decreased as the move's level is increased. All beginning techniques (Tenseiken Slash and Golden Hammer, for example), once maxed, are almost immediately executed upon entering the command. This is of significant value for canceling effectively.
Magic
Characters can use magic from equipped Mana Eggs. Using magic consumes MP, and pauses the battle. More powerful magic takes longer to cast. Similarly to moves, magic can be learned with Magic Coins, and have a max level of 5. Spell efficiency is increased and casting time is decreased as the level increases. Magic spells can cast instantly if a character has skills equipped giving a +100% bonus to the element of that particular spell.
Skills
Skills are learned from Skill Books, then equipped onto characters. Skills can either boost stats or add additional effects, such as increased item drops or adding a cancel effect to certain spells. Skills are learned with both Skill Coins and Magic Coins.
English voice cast
- Cam Clarke — Ryudo/Father Carius/Risotto
- Jennifer Hale — Elena/Paella
- Jodi Benson — Millenia/Reena
- Peter Lurie — Mareg/Gatta/Brother 2
- B.J. Ward — Roan/Elmo
- Kim Mai Guest — Tio/Selene/Client's Daughter
- Paul Eiding — Skye/Oro/Carpaccio/Brother 3
- John Cygan — Melfice/Client/Brother 1
- Richard Doyle — Zera/Gonzola/Village Chief
Glitches
The PC and PlayStation 2 ports both suffered from inhibiting glitches that led to generally poor reception and preference for the original Dreamcast version. Some bugs can be fixed in the PC version, although they require work-arounds such as removing around 600 redundant frames in a video file that plays during Millenia's Fallen Wings attack which causes system freezes.
On the PlayStation 2, the game suffers from transparency issues; some parts of the game animate slowly and some textures flicker. On both the PC and PlayStation 2 versions, it is possible for the first fight with Millena to "break." This is known as the Millenia Zap! bug.
The game also has severable compatability problems with Windows XP, resulting in crashes when certain moves are used on or by certain bosses.