Grandia (video game)
Grandia (グランディア) is an computer role-playing game and the first title in the Grandia series developed by Game Arts originally for the Sega Saturn in 1997. Since then, it has been ported to the Sony PlayStation, and was published in North America and Europe for the first time by SCEA and Ubisoft respectively in 1999 and 2001.
Story
The story of Grandia takes place in a period of steadily advancing technologies and innovations, much like the Industrial Revolution. Tales of heroism and adventure from years past are often regarded by the people of this world as nothing more than entertaining stories, but for a young boy named Justin, they're a way of life. He dreams of one day being able to go on an adventure of his own, and longs to travel the world and explore new places. Growing up in the busy port town of Parm, he often escapes the city life and takes trips to the outlying ruins just outside of town, hoping to find something extrordinary.
One day, when a military convoy makes their way to the ruins, he and his friend Sue follow them, and eventually sneak into the sunken caverns along with them. Making their way into an inner sanctum, they see a holographic image that instructs them to make their way across the world to discover the secrets of the past. Now with information the military wants, Justin must make his way across the mostly untraveled world in search of the adventure he always wanted.
Gameplay
On the surface, Grandia resembles a traditional CRPG and features 2D character sprites on a 3D background. the point of view can actually be rotated at any point in the game, and it is often necessary to find hidden items or passageways. Battles are activated by touching enemies that are visible on the field or in certain unavoidable cirsumstances. The battle system itself is unique in that the player has an opportunity to gain a preemptive strike if the enemy is touched by the lead character before it notices tham. Likewise, if an enemy touches the lead party member from behind, then they instead get the first strike. If both meet head-on, the battle operates like normal.
Combat itself requires the characters to move around a three-dimensional battlefield striking enemies as they get near them. All the characters and enemies are displayed as icons along a horizontal line called the "Battle Gauge" in the lower right corner of the screen, and they move along it from left to right at a rate that corresponds to the particular character's speed. When the icon reachs the end of the line, they get a chance to act, choosing to either strike the enemy, defend, use magic or techniques, or run (attempting to end the fight immediately with no reward). After an action is performed, the icon is then placed at another point on the line, determined by what they selected.
In order to save their progress, players must find save points located in several places within dungeons. Each one will also give the option to instead restore the party's health and condition.
Characters
Playable characters
Justin (age 14): The main character of the story. A young boy from the town of Parm who lives with his mother, Lily, in their home in the upstairs of their family-owned restaurant. His father vanished years ago while on an adventure, and his mother is worried (and rightfully so) that he will try and follow in her late husband's footsteps. Despite his age, Justin is very capable with various weapons, including swords, maces, and axes.
Sue (age 8): Justin's best friend and constant tag-along on his adventures. She aids in in combat not only by casting several magic spells, but also by using ranged weapons like bows or throwing her pet Puffy like a projectile. She can also use maces.
Feena (age 15): A green-haired girl who first meets Justin on his voyage to New Parm and is impressed with his courage and fighting spirit. As both an agile fighter and accomplished mage, she has no trouble fending for herself, yet she joins Justin in his quest for adventure and eventually becomes his romantic interest. Her weapons of choice are whips and daggers.
Gadwin (age 38): A seasoned knight in gold armor who challenged Justin to a battle when they first meet, and being thoroughly convinced he is a true hero, joins him on his journey. He is a strong anf capable fighter who is handy with a broadsword or axe, and even imparts some of his wisdom to his new friend.
Rapp (age 15): A cunning thief with plenty of attitude and no manners from the Beastman village of Cafu. In combat he relies of throwing various objects of magical energy at enemies, and fights up close with daggers, swords, or maces.
Guido (age unknown): Traveling salesman and history buff, Guido is actually the young cheiftan of a small, rabbit-like race called the Mogays. As both a crafty fighter and shrewd business man, he tries to guide Justin's group along with their best interests in mind. Prefers to fight with a bow or mace.
Milda (age 16): A towering and feral Beastwoman from the village of Laine who, despite her rough nature, has a sweer side, particularly for her husband.
Liete (age unknown): A mysterious woman who contacted Justin in the Sylph Ruins. She resides in a floating information database that contains knowledge and records of an ancient civilization. Highly skilled and magic, Liete can command a wide assortment of spells for a variety of effects.
Other characters
Colonel Mullen (age 23): Son of General Baal, leader of the Garlyle Forces, Mullen is a calculating tactician as well as a skilled swordsman. He is liked by most of his subordinates, and is simultaneously the romantic interest of most of his female officers.
General Baal (age 48): A general who commands all of his officers without question. Despite being involved in the excavation of ruins for purely public reasons, he seems to have his own agenda.
Leen (age 15): A young soldier who has gained a special place in the military as Colonel Mullen's aide-de-camp due to her dedication. She is particularly kind for a soldier, and is well liked by her underlings as a result.
Nana, Saki, and Mio (age 16): Three young commanders of the Garlyle Forces who are each assigned their own teams. Despite their best efforts, they often bungle important missions, especially if Justin happens to be involved.
Lily (age 32): Justin's mother who raised him by herself after her husband died on an adventure. She now runs a restaurant just below her house in Parm.
Java (age 78): A former adventurer who puts Justin through his first test. Lives alone on a shack by an abandoned mine near the train tracks.
Voice actors
English version
Feena, Lily - Angela Anderson
Sue, Saki - Blaney R. Aikman
Liete, Milda - Sharon Coleman
Leen - Nicole Weiss
Mullen - Tim Bosley
Baal, Guido - Scott Beers
Nicky, Boy - Anthony Garcia Jr.
Mio - Christal Garcia
Nana - Maria H. Hernandez
Rapp - John W
Japanese version
Saki - Junko Hagimori
Feena - Noriko Hidaka
Mio - Aya Hisakawa
Liete - Kikuko Inoue
Guido - Yoshiko Kamei
Mullen - Jûrôta Kosugi
Gadwin - Rokurô Naya
Sue - Kumiko Nishihara
Hilda - Chika Sakamoto
Leen and Pooy (Puffy) - Hikari Tachibana
Justin - Fujiko Takimoto
Lily and Nana - Yumi Tôma
Gen. Baal - Norio Wakamoto
Rapp - Kappei Yamaguchi
Packaging artwork
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Grandia (Saturn)
Japan, 1997 -
Grandia (PlayStation)
Japan, 1999 -
Grandia
North America, 1999 -
Grandia
Europe, 2001
External links