Grandia Xtreme tries to be fresh and exciting, but comes off as FF for dummies. That, however, is fun in itself for a while. But then, you realize that an RPG must have a good story, and Grandia most certainly does not.
In Grandia, you play as a child of a decorated warrior. He doesn't want to continue in his father's footsteps, despite the numerous draft notices. Pulling a Bill Clinton eventually gets our hero in trouble, when the army kidnaps him and immediately thrusts him into a fight to stop something or other, called the Elemental Disorder. Yes, GX is a throwback to the days when RPG's main storyline revolved around saving the world by going on a fetch quest for four crystals.
Graphically, Grandia looks like a Dreamcast game with jaggies. No better, no worse. In its defense though, between the visuals, audio, and story, the whole thing does come off seeming like one of those anime movies that makes no aspirations to make any sense. So if that sort of thing is your cup of tea, you should be more than impressed with the aesthetics of the latest Grandia game.
The double-edged sword is the gameplay, which will break or make your experience with the title. While the modified ATB system found in the past two Grandia games has been more or less left alone, that also means that there's very little strategy to be had. It's a direct contrast to say, FFX or Chrono Cross. Even if you find yourself liking the core engine, you may still be put off at the raw number of random encounters you will have before the credits roll. Grandia Xtreme brings the old RPG cliché of "walk two steps, fight, repeat" to a whole new level.
I can't really recommend Grandia Xtreme to anyone but hardcore vets of the series, genre, or people really open up to new ideas, despite the numerous flaws surrounding said ideas.
-George
Company Line
From the creators of the Grandia® and Lunar® series and the producers of the Star Ocean® and Dragon Warrior® series comes the latest RPG masterpiece. With an enhanced battle system, Grandia Xtreme pushes RPG gaming in new directions with a faster-paced game of exploration and discovery.
A pause in the ancient conflict between Nortis and Arcada ends when a new spiritual power is discovered emanating from Locca. Suddenly, a string of natural calamities plague the land causing an elemental shift. You are Evann, a master of elemental forces and an unlikely hero. Gather a team of forces and travel to Locca to discover the source of evil magic!
With over 130 different types of monsters and 8 elemental lands standing between you and victory, the future of the world has never looked more desperate. Can you avert the disaster rising from the ancient ruins?
Key Features:
Acclaimed combat system returns with even more enhancements, special moves and improved AI system.
Renowned magic system allows creation of new and stronger spells, each with unique and fantastic effects.
Intense story immerses player in a world of enchantment and danger.
Innovative and accessible game design allows both "hard-core" RPG fans and general gamers to truly enjoy playing Grandia Xtreme.
Create an Account
Member Login
