Grandia III

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 82
  3. Negative: 7 out of 82
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  1. AndyM.
    Apr 2, 2006
    6
    The story, dialogue and voice acting are unbearable. The only time I enjoyed the game was during battles. And even that only has so much magic after 35 hours. Despite the time it took, I really didn't get the 'grand epic' feel out of it. Go pick up Grandia II for $5 instead, you'll get a much superior game.
  2. ColdH.
    Apr 25, 2006
    7
    Don't really what to think in the end... The Battle System definitly is one of the best I've ever seen : dynamic, mixing strategy and action ! But... The plot is really cheap and the characters are just stupid. So ? Grandia III worth the shot, but skip the numerous cinematics and you'll pack it in less than 15 hours. BTW, the lack of side quests clearly is a bad point too.
  3. TheDestroyer
    Sep 14, 2016
    6
    The game will be reviewed under year 2006 standards.

    Aside from it's unique dream of "man taking it to the skies" the rest of Grandia III is "the" ultimate cliche. There's a headline for you. To understand that, you'd have to buy the game, which of course debate the writing at the bottom of this review. Most newcomers will be fooled at first believing it's battle system is original,    The game will be reviewed under year 2006 standards.

    Aside from it's unique dream of "man taking it to the skies" the rest of Grandia III is "the" ultimate cliche. There's a headline for you. To understand that, you'd have to buy the game, which of course debate the writing at the bottom of this review.

    Most newcomers will be fooled at first believing it's battle system is original, but it's actually just the Final Fantasy series' ATB system, where your party members take turns attacking, and then must wait for a specified amount of time before said party member can act act again. It is a reoccurring element in the Grandia games, and one that most will easily adapt too. Certain attacks party members do can cancel enemy moves, and sometimes knock them in the sky, allowing other party members to combo attack them. Cancelling is a decent feature. Unfortunately the combo attacks are lost by mid-game as most enemies become immune to being knocked off the ground. Overall, the combat system is nothing spectacular nor dreadful.

    The game must be saved at a save point, which appears to look like a rainbow orb. Loading your file up resumes your adventure from that save. If all party members are incapicitated during battle; you will receive a game over and be kicked to the main menu. In other-wards you go back to the last place you saved. This in itself is fine. It teaches players not to get too cocky when encountering stronger foes, or otherwise participating in multiple battles. Unfortunately, the save points get spammed so much (as in there's too many save points) that it begins to lose that meaning.

    It comes with a skill and magic customization system, where you can choose exactly what special abilities and magic you want on your party. As you do more battles, you'll unlock more slots, which in turn lets you equip more magic and abilities. But no matter how many you get, one will find that the variety is always lacking one way or the other.

    The game will take about 50 hours to complete. In the end, I'm not going to tell anyone to buy this game or avoid it. There was a lot more I was going to say about Grandia III, but was cut due to spoilers or being too negative on a slightly above average game that doesn't deserve the hate.    … Expand
  4. CaptainAssassin
    Mar 10, 2015
    7
    The Grandia series has one of the best RPG combat systems ever developed. Grandia III has refined this system even further, adding a 'juggling' mechanic (aerial combos/finishes) which makes combat even more exciting and potentially improves the loot dropped by enemies.

    That been said, the storyline is the weakest of diluted anime sauces— totally predictable, and the characters follow    The Grandia series has one of the best RPG combat systems ever developed. Grandia III has refined this system even further, adding a 'juggling' mechanic (aerial combos/finishes) which makes combat even more exciting and potentially improves the loot dropped by enemies.

    That been said, the storyline is the weakest of diluted anime sauces— totally predictable, and the characters follow suit with standard anime typecasting. Yes, I can still give it a 7... the combat system is that good.    … Expand
  5. thaesino
    Jun 29, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't know how I can spoil a game more than it already spoils itself with its own story downfall, but there's the warning. I'm writing this review to save anyone money from making the mistake of purchasing it on "PS2 on PS4," if it is ever released on there, as it was on PS3.

    Here's what is good:

    -The Battle system is so good, it would've been wonderful to see more of it in other turn-based RPGs that came later, especially more recent ones made in the spirit of these older games

    -The music is memorable in the same way Tales series music is memorable. It "stays out of the way." Nothing stands out. Sweet melodies here and there, and then, of course, the main theme from the original Grandia. But I think the music is a plus because some tracks are kind of nice.

    -The graphics are nice, some environments are very well-done, even in comparison to Tales games on PS3. Not as nice as some of its contemporaries (i.e. FFXII), but then again, not many games looked like FFXII on the PS2. Maps are also well designed, though puzzle elements are lacking or too easy.

    Now... for the Bad, and there's a whole lot of it (SPOILERS!):

    The Story (this is the first thing people hate about this game, and they're right) The amount of plot holes, from characters who completely disappear after you've leveled them up past level 25 (from lvl 6), to the main villain's motives never being fully explained (like, how did he go from being such a sweet brother to this murderous, maniacal guy), to the manipulator of the main villain dying the moment he speaks more than two words for the first time (again, we know nothing of this man either). It's just one big pile of "Holy sh*t this is going to be amaz..... what the actual f*ck? Who is this guy? Oh wait, wait... where did one of my main characters go? What do you mean they're gone for good? Huh..... but I leveled both of them up because they've got some of the best m......... wait! Where am I and why am I doing this? Huh? The main villain got killed by a guy I've never even met face to face, off scene? Oh!!! I GEEET IT! The reason this story leaves you feeling like you went from interesting, three-dimensional characters to moving people models that just happen to represent a memory you had at the beginning of the game that you thought these guys were gonna be so promising, is a METAPHOR for the story world slowly being turned to lifeless glass - shells of their previous existence - by the obligatory corrupt god-villain. NOW it all makes sense. GENIUS!"

    No. No it doesn't. It's a terrible story and the good of the game is brought down because of it. The only reason this game survives is, perhaps, because most people have never finished it, and therefore think the game must've been so good because the beginning felt promising, and the combat WAS actually innovative in comparison to other RPGs of the time, in the same way Chrono Trigger or Bravely Default were innovative in their own times.

    This game actually leaves you feeling like a 3/10, but then you remember the fun of the combat, so you raise it two or three points.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PS2 Game of 2006
24
#24 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
11
#11 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Deeko
    90
    A marvelous game with a few minor flaws that don't really kill the experience. With a lovable cast, mouth-watering graphics, and an innovative battle system, Grandia III is an excellent addition to any RPG aficionado's collection. [JPN Import]
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  2. Siliconera
    70
    It’s not like there aren’t any genuinely emotional moments in Grandia 3, but they’re balanced out by all of the cornball cheesiness. Still, if you can forgive this, and are up to the challenge of the battle system, then Grandia 3’s sprawling worlds are well worth adventuring through. [JPN Import]
    Read full review
  3. Weekly Famitsu
    88
    9 / 8 / 9 / 9 - 35 platinum [Aug 2005]
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