November 24, 1999 Web posted at: 4:02 p.m. EST (2102 GMT) by E. Coli

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(IDG) -- For U.S. gamers who were seriously disappointed when the release of the much-anticipated Grandia for the Saturn was canceled a few years back, here's good news. While the transition to the PlayStation can't help but show the game's age, its great storyline, puzzles, and engaging characters prove it was worth the wait.

Grandiose dreams

You'll assume the role of Justin, teenage hero and adventurer, whose only dream is to follow in the footsteps of his father, the greatest adventurer there ever was. Justin's father's legacy to him is a sacred stone, whose secret Justin must uncover before boarding the ship that will take him to the New World.

Once Justin takes that steamer, he is off and running from one adventure to another. His ultimate quest is to prove that the power held by the old and benevolent Icarian Civilization and their mystical city of Angelou is more than just a myth. Hot on his heels, though, is General Baal and his dysfunctional army, after the same power for, of course, much darker purposes.

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Justin is joined by his friend Sue, and her side kick Puffy, along with Feena, another great adventurer. Real-time battles are fun and challenging, with each character learning new spells and abilities as they level up and find more powerful weapons scattered throughout a huge world. Locations such as abandoned mines, ancient ruins, ghost ships, secret dungeons, misty forests, and many more, including the edge of the world, are a testament to the ingenious design of Grandia.

Players who have been dazzled by such great games as Final Fantasy VIII and Legend of Legaia can't help but be disappointed by the cartoonish appeareance of the monsters they will encounter in Grandia, not to mention the uneveness in their strength from one area to another. Monsters go from very easy to incredibly difficult to beat, making hanging out in the same area more than necessary to level up (which requires a ridiculous amount of experience points to achieve), just in order to have a fighting chance in the following area.

Look at it this way and that way

As far as graphics go, Grandia's towns and dungeons are amazingly detailed and well designed, made all the more appealing by the 360-degree adjustable camera, which comes in handy when exploring every nook and cranny in search of hidden items and weapons.

The voice-overs are well acted, and only happen during crucial scenes. The soundtrack, however, is repetitive and annoying and will have the player reaching for the volume control.

The controls, thankfully, are a cinch. Easy to master, interesting to learn, and quick to operate, they are what all RPG controls should aspire to be.

Grand design

With a story and gameplay this good, more attention should have been paid to the design of the monsters. But don't let that keep you from embarking on this quest of discovery and glory. Grandia's puzzles, gorgeous locations, and solid story more than make up for its minor flaws.

Graphics: 4.0
From the towns to the dungeons to the forests, Grandia is a visual delight and a joy to explore. Each location has a distinct look and feel and deserves a whole lot of exploration. If only the cartoonish monsters looked a little more scary.

Sound: 2.5
Well-acted voice-overs are the only reason to keep the volume on in this game. The soundtrack, unfortunately, will annoy anyone within earshot.

Control: 5.0
Flawless controls are a no-brainer, making access to inventory and character items as easy as possible. Thanks to pressure sensitive analog compatibility, guiding Justin and his gang is never a problem.

Fun Factor: 4.5
With an enormous world to explore, a great variety of puzzles, and a whole lot of humor, Grandia is sure to please any RPG fan who hungers for hours of immersing gameplay and puzzle solving.

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