Because Jirard, they are completely different from anything else in the media, the story always turns out differently because the amount of time the story can take to develop over say 15-20 hours in a video game, is way different than a two hour movie.
The list of things Grandia 1 does well is incredibly long, but the single most important factor to why it feels so good to play even now is that the story is fully earnest in its delivery. The dialogue is heartfelt to the point of being absurd, but somehow it gets to you when you realize just how invested you become in the journeys of these kids across an unfamiliar world. Justin reading his mom's letter when he leaves Parm (reading it is crucial, Lily's voice acting is possibly as perfect as you can get from a side character) Feena's speech when leaving the "adventurer's society" Seeing the "End of the World" Gadwin's introduction (the best video game introduction ever) Guido's introduction (everything feels a little bit racist when you don't know anything about a different culture, a lesson on learning to listen) Sue's goodbye (literally can't be watched without getting choked up) Feena + Justin's boat conversation There are dozens of iconic moments in are still hallmarks of good storytelling despite being essentially a game for teenagers coming to grips with a changing world that they're trying to find a place in.
@@ShakeITyEAI played grandia back in the day and got to the last boss Gaia and never beat him. I just played the game again last week and not only is it 10x easier than I remembered but the final cut scene ending was so nice, seeing sue all grown up and ready to see Justin and feena for the first time after 10years and then seeing a half a dozen kids that look like mini Justin's and feenas 😂 it was an amazing game, even after all the years. I just started playing "sea of stars" and it is EPIC. Check it out.
I remember playing this back in '99, but for the life of me I can't remember if I finished it! The fact that I still remember the characters so vividly though must mean it was pretty great. I should give it another go someday.
same here, I never finished it, but the music and characters were great, I wanted to get it for switch, but even on sale it's still $28 and I don't really want grandia 2
@@wanghiskhan7345 I was lucky enough to find a good PS1 copy for $70 that was only missing the manual. It goes for about $250 for a complete copy. I played it a little when I was little and I'm really looking forward to it.
This rpg has a special place in my heart, I remember renting it from blockbuster, and adoring it. Then when the blockbuster was selling old games, I bought it and chrono cross. And when I got my psp go, and saw I could get grandia, in a hand held device, just shut up and take my money. I remember the hokey voice acting, using a cheap trick to level my water magic early on by using a ruin trap that was like 5 steps from a save point to reduce my hp to 1, heal with my magic, then restore my mp, and how it felt to clear the hardest optional dungeon and getting Heaven and Earth Cut. So yeah, seeing you cover this and play this was wonderful for me. Thanks Jirard.
This was my very first JRPG and I spent so many hours into it! I found out about it from the PlayStation demo discs I would receive in the mail💕 My grandma found it and got it for me! The music was my favorite part about it 💕
I see Grandia as the sister series of Lunar. Both pubd by Game Arts, but different devs. Both series are bright, have cast of kids with emphasis on their relationships, both have a love story- moreso in Lunar. Both feature the same brilliant composer, Noriyuki Iwadare. Producers of both games are brothers. Unfortunately, Grandias producer passed away some 5 years ago. Great video, guys!!
Grandia is still today one of my all time favorite JRPGs ever. Few people that I've met ever played it (usually they've all played Grandia II) and I'm glad that more people are getting to experience for the first time.
It was one of mine too, what's crazy is how basic it was, no side quests and the story was so linear and the formula was so repetitive (dungeon then city then dungeon repeat) but it was really good, even in 2023.
I’m looking forward to his look at Grandia 2, it’s a game that has a special place in my heart because quite simply it was the game that truly introduced me to RPGs.
I remember playing through Grandia as a teen. One of my favorites of the generation. I absolutely love Grandia 2. It's the game that get's me to hook up my Dreamcast every few years.
I love that people are still loving this game. While I've always been a gamer from the earliest I could remember (my grandparents had an Atari, and our parents bought us an NES), Grandia was the first game that made me truly FEEL something. It's like the concept of wanderlust made manifest. And I LOVE the relationship between Justin and Feena. They don't fall in love at first sight--Justin fanboys over her because she's an accomplished and famous adventurer. They fight, they argue, they make up, they laugh together, they support each other...and despite the bad voice acting and the dated graphics, I still feel certain scenes are the most romantic I've seen in any media: the beach of Gumbo, the boat ride to the eastern continent, the fall from the airship. Such a masterpiece.
I was a kid when I first played this on PS1. And that memory will always be a feeling of warmth for me. I felt that I was their friend going on that big adventure with them. Glad you played and enjoyed this one.
I purchased this a few years ago on the PSN store. I vaguely remember trying a demo disc version of it. This game was great, charming, great humour and a pleasant surprise. "JUUUUUUUSTIN!!"
I was coming to suggest that whole franchise because it actually shares several elements with the combat, just turn based rather than it being an ATB system
It'd be nice but honestly it's so long that I don't think it'd work well with his show. You need to beat both Sky 1 and Sky 2 to get the complete experience, and same for Cold Steel 1 and 2.
@HicksZ34 ToCS is also available on PS4 now. And it is well worth it. It's a great turn-based JRPG. Both combat and story are entertaining, with a large cast of characters. I like that there are stories and events occurring with other students that have nothing to do with the main POV character, but you still get snippets of when talking to the other NPC characters. The game also has a good way to limit who you have available to form a party most of the time, a way that feels natural rather than arbitrary. If nothing else, give ToCS 3's free demo a try. As long as you don't read the synopsis of the other two games, it shouldn't spoil too much.
PS1 and Sega Saturn version are harder then this remaster, Digital Museum are probably the hardest. I remember been about level 30 when i finished the game for the first time, and he is like 40 still not finishing the game. On PS1 back then to reach level 40 or 99 would take your whole lifetime because of exponential leveling system, with speed hacks, remastered and slightly changed things to make it easier its possible to do it in a very short period of time today. Best remaster version is actually original version for Sega Saturn from 1994, Grandia from 1997. PS1 version hit the EU in 1999, already changed, remastered version from 2019 are just for memories.
Try the Legend of Heroes: Trails games if you want a game with a fully turn based version of this battle system, with top notch writing and world building.
@@Elren "Oh no, a major plot development happened and now I have to talk to every person on the planet!" "The signposting is that bad, huh?" "What? No, I know exactly how to advance the plot. It's just that I just want to see how all the NPCs are reacting to the events that just happened because I'm extremely invested in all of their lives now, and I might also stumble onto some hidden sidequests or dungeons that are usually pretty entertaining. God damn you, Nihon Falcom!"
That series is even more unsung than Grandia that's for certain. Gosh, I always remember that little story of the old lady trying to find a wife for her shopkeeper son.
Whenever I feel lonely, I just listen to the grandia intro and it makes me happy. I use this game's story as an inspiration whenever I make a decision. Really struck my heart. Thank you for making a review. Really love it.
I like how they handled the combat in G3, especially the magic system. It was the first time I actually wanted to use magic in a game. That said, I played the series kinda backwards. Played 2 -> 3 -> xtreme -> and finally 1, just a couple months ago. All within a 11 year period lol. But G1 and G2 have much better characters/character development than 3
This game gets me everytime! The music and the story along with the battle mechanics. This game genuinely had me feeling emotional at all the right moments. I give it a Jirard/10!
I'd like to see him do Star Ocean 2, it's got a pretty similar battle system where attacks can interrupt and push enemies around the battlefield. Though, not sure how he'd handle completion for it with all the different endings and pairing endings and characters that you can or can't get depending on who else you recruit.
@@WithScienceAsMySheperd There are 9 main Ys games in total and a few remakes of older titles. You also have to consider that the Ys series dates back to the mid 80s and that it is therefore one of the longest-running RPG series out there that is still going strong today. Compared to that, Final Fantasy has 15 main titles under its belt and Dragon Warrior/Quest 11, not counting the numerous spin-offs.
Just started replaying grandia after a few years and the gut punching bits still hit as hard (Sue's goodbye is just done so well) with the slightly silly moments to help lighten the mood. Combat can definitely become easy with grinding but if the ai gets a rhythm going then you may just end up getting your arse handed to you (got stun locked by trinity attack and the balloon attack) still absolutely love this game
Grandia is completely underrated! This was a pleasure to watch. I remember when this got released back in the late 90's and I picked it up at Electronics Boutique because of the character designs looking like anime 😂 Best decision I ever made! FF7 was my first encounter with this genre and although it is still my favourite game, Grandia shares that spot for me. It has a completely different feel, but it is so brilliant. The characters, the story, the world building, and the music. The addition of voice acting was also an amazing experience at that time! Just pure brilliance, glad you got to experience this! I have yet to get the HD collection, but I regularly play it on my old PS1!
I felt the same way too, but I played it recently and it was wayyyy easier. I think it's because I'm smarter with the battle system than I was as a kid.
Ugh, what a nostalgia trip this was, I remember picking up a used copy of this in a gamestop 19 years ago on a whim, one of the best finds of my teenage years
I'm so happy you did this game, it's such a well made game that hardly gets any love. This game is rich with great characters and journey, and the combat! The combat system is one of a kind. RIP Takeshi Miyaji for leaving a awesome batch of games.
Besides final fantasy games and legends of dragon, this was the most memorable RPG from the 90s for me. I always wanted to play it again and I finally did and beat it.
Id really like to see Lunar 2: Eternal Blue completed. Probably one of my favorite jrps ever made and i only found out about by a friend who had to sneak it to me so i could borrow it. Such a great story and the combat was intense at times.
To be honest it took me 2 years to complete it from 1999 to 2001. im 36 now and playing it for the 3rd time and still amazed by how good it is. it brings so much nostalgia when i watch this but you rounded up perfectly the feeling i have about this game XXX
I'm glad the remaster fixed the bug present in the original PS1 version that made you need to grind an unreasonable amount to unlock Feena's ultimate abilities.
This is my all time favorite game out of everything I’ve ever played! It was my first full game that I got so emotionally invested in. Thank you for doing this!
Jirard, I am so happy that you did Grandia! It has always had a special place in my heart as it was my first JRPG! Thank you for bringing attention to this rarely mentioned amazing game!
So much love for Grandia. I’m glad it hasn’t been forgotten. I didn’t experience this game as a kid. But getting to discover a gem like this as an adult is an amazing experience in itself.
Ugh, as soon as Sue's theme started playing at the beginning... shivers and tears. Freaking love this game. You hit it right on the head. THIS GAME MAKES YOU FEEL THINGS. That's it's reason for existence, that's what it loves to do, and that's what it does SO WELL. I've found myself coming back and playing it again every few years just to feel that again. It is EXACTLY what it needs to be.
I remember having a demo for that game. I played through it so many times I fell in love with it, I wish they would port it over to the switch, I'd love to play through the whole game.
played it. it was horrible... dunno what so great about it. Animation, Story and world were bad, battle system special but you keep mostly repeating same things over and over again...
I love that the devs respect our time and permit the recovery at save points and then the ability to dodge random encounters. I usually opt for Emulation when playing RPGs for these very options. Footnote, I think these were 2.5 3d hd graphics before it was cool. Love the presentation!
Grandia was the first game I actually picked out for myself at a store. My grandma got it for me, awesome, cool lady, I miss her, she always made sure the grandkids got their games. lol
FF7 who? That was my reaction after playing Grandia back in the day, even being crazy for FF back then. It's a shame Game Arts stopped after Grandia III.
@@ff8ramirez oh I most definitely think square is to blame for the rushed feeling of grandia 3. In the same way Star ocean 5 feels unfinished. As for fun factor, for me it stopped being fun after the mom leaves the party. Probably because the story goes downhill from there. I also think combat is inferior to Xtremes combat. Getting rid of dual, triple and quad combat techs was a huge misstep in my opinion
I'm really sad that they discarded the gorgeous fonttype they had in the original for this bland, crappy font now. Doesn't make the rest of the game worse in any way, though! Thanks for playing it, Jirard. EDIT: HOLY FREAKING CRAP JIRARD. I think I had maybe a handful of abilities maxed by the end of the game, and that's with completing every bit of optional content, too! You MEGA-grinded! No wonder you found the whole game other than the bosses so dang easy.
I remember this series quite fondly, definitely one of my favorites. Glad you've enjoyed it! Now I will quietly hope you do a video on Grandia 2 next ^^
Yesssssssssssssss, this is one of my favorite PS1 games that I almost always go back to play when I'm hankering for an old RPG. More people need to play this one.
You hit everything right on the head! Literally what you said during this review is exactly how, not just me, but all the fans of the game feel while playing through. It's one of those games that every 3 to 5 years you start thinking of again and make another file. Same goes for the second game for sure. G3 isn't bad by any means by itself, but when compared to the first two games it just doesn't hold up the same. It's so nice hearing positive things about this. I honestly thought it got overlooked, even as an hd collection on Switch. Unfortunately I heard quite a few say the never got out of the first town because of it being boring. If people just took their time to read dialouge instead of just wanting all voice acted scenes, I feel that a lot more would enjoy it :) hopefully you brought some light into this. Amazing review again, man
Amazing review! I love seeing people’s reaction when they first play this classic. I remember first playing this back on PS1. The amazing sprite models, music, voice acting, combat and story made a lasting impression and to this day after playing decades of RPGs at this point Grandia still remains one of my favorites.
@@otakon17 They have yet to announce this game for limited run, if they even will. Considering power rangers battle for the grid got once, I hope this means Grandia will, after all, when this game was announced on twitter they said something about "no physical release planned" even though nobody asked
playing the remaster was the first time i could actually dedicate time to it and finish it and oh boi what an adventure. playing and beating the game was completing something my younger self has wanted to do for YEARS. i absolutely adore this game it is so charming. justin and feena join the club of some of my absolute favorite couples in gaming.
HERES MY CHILDHOOD Played this in u.k as a child and a memory that sticks is when they get fired out of the cannon and she says "owww my fanny" which here means vagina I quickly turned it off thinking it was gunna get weird 😂😂😂
Let's be real... The visuals were dog shit, I remember when I got it on PS1 I thought the graphics weren't good but it still was an amazing game. The 2d sprites are pretty cool though.
I love this game SO much. For 20 years I've named characters Feena and anytime I can customize a character it's usually a green haired girl named Feena. Great review of my favorite RPG of all time. Thank you sir
It's always fantastic to watch someone become a fan of a series you have loved for years. Grandia is special and like was said, it will make you feel things.
I remember showing Grandia 2 to a friend, and I was very excited to show him how, with good strategy, you could go an entire fight without getting hit once. My friend's verdict: "you can go an entire fight without getting hit? Then this game is too easy. I'm not interested." To this day I'm baffled by his logic.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THIS VIDEO MADE ME!! This was my first ever jrpg... I love this game so much as a kid that I have Feena tattooed on my arm, I actually... omg thank you Jirard And this game looks gorgeous on the switch, that’s awesome
I'm confused. you said "the game is super easy the whole way through" "i got a bit ahead with some accidental grinding early and was overpowered for the rest of the game" but then past the halfway point, you also say "there's a lot of grinding to do" "i spent a lot of time grinding" "these powerful items helped me with my grind" so... if the game is easy, then you don't have to grind and can blow right throw it, but you spent 60 hours on it grinding? I'm getting mixed messages here
Grandia is not quite as easy as he said, in a normal playthrough that is. Since he was going to complete it, he meticulously grinded his skill levels bit by bit on the way and since those give correlated stat boosts his playthrough became easier than the norm. Overall he didn't grind all that much since even a normal playthrough without grinding is about 50~55h long.
In Grandia, if you know what you're doing and just fight every enemy that crosses your way naturally, that's enough to get through. But not enough to unlock every skill etc.
It was tougher on the PlayStation, but this was a nostalgia trip, so I appreciated how much easier it was to level up, and how they streamlined the combat for this port.
I'd argue Dark Souls isn't a JRPG at all, the J at this point isn't so much for the literal "Japanese" but rather the style and general aesthetic, and yeah the term RPG is really overly used when many times it's just some RPG elements added in
This game is mindblowingly good. I picked it out as a Christmas present by chance when I was 6 years old because the colours were pretty and it was hands down the main reason why I became such a fan of RPG games.
Jirard, thank you so much for reviewing this game. I hope this and the switch release get more people to play this beautiful hidden gem cause it's easily my favourite game of all time. I've fully played through this at least 15 times and i cry harder every time at the sad spots. It just gets to me that little bit more every time i get to experience those characters again and realise how well they are written. This isn't just some cheesy jrpg about saving the world. This is about a boy setting out on an adventure and growing up through role models and friendships he meets along the way. Early game justin and endgame justin are just two entirely different people. The combat system is indeed amazing and super satisfying once you master it although it really doesn't challenge you. All i really want is for modern game developers to almost copy this exact system and put it into a new adventure to explore. Grandia II did this very well but that game never had the charm the original has. (Let's just imagine the other games never existed in the first place lol) Thank you for reviewing this. Hearing someone else experienced the same things i did when i was 12 years old genuinely made my day and gives me hope that word of this amazing game spreads and maybe even sprouts into a newly made grandia game.
I rented this gamd on blockbusters and got to the top of the wall before returning it. My local blockbusters closdd that week and never finished it until today! Great game.
As someone who finished this game back in the '90s, did as much as I could within it, and watching it today. I feel like Robin Williams in Hook, whose forgotten everything about it. You could find my memory cards that show my progress and wouldn't be able to tell you about the majority of my time with the game, other than it was amazing...
