This was a game I wanted to play back in the PS1 days, but I just didn't have the funds (pocket money). Fast forward to 2021, and I finally got around to playing Grandia from beginning to end. It took me ages but I did it.

As so many others have pointed out, Grandia really does excel at capturing that feeling of going on an adventure. Much more so than the vast majority of games these days. Playing as these kids, throwing caution to the wind, taking on the whole world and revelling in it all while they're doing it, it's all quite wonderful. Sure, there are some dramatic moments scattered here and there - with one particularly poignant scene involving Sue that I won't spoil for anyone who hasn't played this yet - but for the most part, Grandia maintains a sense of humour and joviality. Such levity makes for a refreshing change of pace given how po-faced JRPGs often are.

The turn-based combat is mostly too easy to be considered 'engaging', but it is passable. The game is also maybe a tad too long for its own good. Some dungeons towards the end definitely tested my patience. But for the most part, Grandia is a delightful romp that gets by on the strength of its own convictions. There was clearly a lot of love poured into this game, from its barnstorming soundtrack to its busy towns (so many NPCs!) to the vast amount of attention poured into bringing the central cast to life and making the player care about them. Its enthusiasm is contagious, and I hope one day I'll get around to playing the sequel.

(Played using the patch that replaces all the Western voice acting with the original Japanese audio tracks... thank god.)