A masterwork JRPG with cinematic staging and fluid combat. Heartfelt characters, unforgettable music and a moving plot. An absolute Dreamcast peak.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
Ryudo and allies battle demonic forces to save their world from destruction in this Game Arts JRPG. Published by Ubi Soft, released in the United States in December 2000. Turn-based JRPG with Spell-Egg combat system, memorable characters, epic Grandia universe narration. American version.
Grandia II review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Between a blazing orchestra and rock surges, Noriyuki Iwadare signs battle themes as nervy as they are memorable. The music galvanises every clash and magnifies the emotional moments of Ryudo's journey. This generous score, a peak of the JRPG, has lost none of its infectious fire.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Its battle system, where you interrupt the enemy by reading the action bar, turns every fight into a little tactical puzzle you keep asking for more of. Leveling skills, combing dungeons and following a well-told story chain rewards with no dead time. A few back-and-forths weigh down the pace, but this dueling mechanic remains one of the most satisfying of its genre.
The NTSC release of Grandia II was distributed by Ubisoft in the United States, one of the last major JRPGs officially released on Western Dreamcast. Collector value comes from a modest print, the recognised quality of the game and complete copies with intact box and manual gradually becoming rare. A pivotal piece for US Dreamcast JRPG collectors.
Is Grandia II still worth playing in 2026?
A Japanese RPG by Game Arts, Grandia II is famous for its IP gauge combat system that blends positioning, anticipation and cancelling. This finesse, rare at the time, has not aged and still outpaces many current productions. The scenario, darker than the first game, gains in maturity even if it occasionally lacks surprises. For anyone looking for an accessible yet tactically rich JRPG, the title remains an excellent recommendation, and the Dreamcast version is by far its most generous home version.
