Underplayed Gems

Grandia (1997)

Grandia cover
Developer
Game Arts
Publisher
Ubi Soft Entertainment, Game Arts, Sony Computer Entertainment, Entertainment Software Publishing
Platforms
PlayStation 3, Android, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation Portable
Genres
Role-playing (RPG)
Rating
3.8 of 5, 52 player ratings
Main story
about 43 hours
Where to get it
PlayStation Store

How it feels

A cheerful journey of youthful wonder where exploration feels genuinely rewarding and the world radiates warmth and optimism.

adventurousupliftinglightheartedcharminghopefulleisurelywarmaccessible

About

Grandia is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts and published by Entertainment Software Publishing for the Sega Saturn console as the first game in their Grandia series. Initially released in Japan in 1997, the game was later ported to the PlayStation in 1999, with an English version of the game appearing on the platform in North America in the following September by Sony Computer Entertainment America, and later in Europe in March 2000 by Ubisoft. The game was produced by much of the same staff who worked on the company's previous role-playing endeavor, the Lunar series, including producer Yoichi Miyagi and music composer Noriyuki Iwadare. Since its release, Grandia has become notable for its combat mechanics, which have been carried over to future games within the franchise, and has spawned two spin-off titles – Grandia: Digital Museum and Grandia: Parallel Trippers – both released exclusively in Japan. In celebration of the announcement of renewing development on Grandia Online, which acts as a prequel to Grandia, the game was re-released on Sony's PlayStation Network platform in Japan as a downloadable title in April 2009 and in North America on February 25, 2010. It was re-released in Europe on November 10, 2010.

What players say

A beloved coming-of-age adventure RPG whose real-time-meets-turn-based combat, with cancellable enemy actions and characters running around the field, is praised on both sides of the Pacific as one of the genre's best and most strategic systems. Remembered warmly as a sincere, anime-spirited classic that rivaled the era's biggest RPGs.

Trailer

Screenshots

Grandia screenshot 1Grandia screenshot 2Grandia screenshot 3Grandia screenshot 4Grandia screenshot 5

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