Grandia HD Collection

Even having never played these specific games before, Grandia HD Collection ended up giving me a sense of nostalgia. Grandia may be one of the best examples of what a quality JRPG was during its era and still holds up to this day as a title which fans of the genre should experience. Grandia II might not stand the test of time as well as its predecessor does, but it is still worth checking out for its continued use of a nearly perfect battle system, especially for any fans of the first game.

While a little pricey and devoid of extras, GRANDIA HD Collection nonetheless means you have two excellent classic JRPGs that gives its unrivaled battle system another chance to shine.

Do I recommend playing these games? Oh yes, absolutely. Grandia 1 and 2 deserve four stars by themselves. The games are dated, yes, but they stand the test of time, flaws and all. They are (mostly) timeless and I would replay them over and over. But maybe wait for this specific collection to go on sale.

While problems with this port and a lack of modernized tweaks make Grandia less of a slam dunk to recommend, this is still a relatively hidden gem from the late ‘90s that is worth trying or rediscovering. The graphics might not be as pleasant, the writing might have some cringey moments, and odds are you’ll come across a few out-of-place bugs, but Grandia’s battle system helps to overcome those drawbacks alongside its endearing characters and world. At the very least, Grandia stands tall next to its other late ‘90s contemporaries. So much so that I can envision the plucky star Justin trying to convince Cloud and Barrett from Final Fantasy VII that he’s an adventurer who rightfully deserves a seat at their theoretical table of classic, genre-defining RPGs.

Ultimately, Grandia HD Collection is two games that play very similarly but with opposite tones. Grandia is for bright-eyed young kids, and Grandia II is for their cynical older siblings. Yet they both have excellent dialogue, open dungeon design, and battle systems that invite customization. If people can forgive minor bugs and a lack of extra features, Grandia HD Collection is something all JRPG lovers should play if they haven’t already. And if you have already played these games, well, maybe wait for a discount.

Both Grandia and Grandia II are absolutely dynamite JRPGs that deserve to be remembered for their great stories and outstanding combat. They’re quite traditional so they won’t change the minds of those who don’t care for the genre, but any fans looking to play some exceptional examples from the heyday of JRPGs should absolutely pick this compilation up. While the ports aren’t perfect and Grandia III isn’t here, it’s still the best combination of affordability and quality these two titles have ever received.

It may not be quite the package we were hoping for, but this port is still the best way to experience these two charming classics.

The Grandia HD Collection contains an awesome soundtrack, fair visuals, and fairly decent story. Both games combat is very fluid and has that something that newer games are missing with their combat system I think.