Which Grandia 2 should I play?

[Midnyte Rabbit]

Just curious, which version of Grandia 2 would everyone suggest playing? I'd like to give the game a go, and I haven't played Grandia 2 before (I have played other Grandia games). If I magically had access to every version of Grandia 2 ever made, which would you suggest?

[tiornys]

Dreamcast version is best. This version is 2nd best.

The forthcoming HD edition is likely to be better than this version. It may or may not surpass the original Dreamcast version.

[segaandrew86]

the dreamcast and PS2 version. although, there were some audio and visual glitches on the PS2 software of Grandia 2 when i played it 6 years ago. On the PS2 of course. i have played the Dreamcast version as well as owned it; 17 years ago. This and Skies of Arcadia were my favorite Dreamcast original jrpgs. and still are. i want Skies of Arcadia to get a remaster or put on Steam or Switch download very badly; since Grandia 1&2 are coming to Switch eShop in about a month or two.

[ppppppppppp]

Originally posted by tiornys:

Dreamcast version is best. This version is 2nd best.

I disagree, this version has Hard mode which imho makes it better, I know that an alleged lot of people have had issues with the steam version but I personally have experienced none of these.

OP I would recommend getting the steam version simply because it has Hard mode, making it way more interesting imo.

[Midnyte Rabbit]

Much appreciation, all three of you! Before I take teh plunge here, are there any notable defects with this version? Audio glitches on the PS2 version could be really disapponting depending what exactly they are... After looking into the HD Remaster, looks like it's for the Switch. Unfortunately, I don't own one.

[tiornys]

The most notable defect on this version is the propensity towards occasional crashes, especially during longer play sessions. Speedrunners actually reboot the game a couple of times during their run because the known time loss from save/quit/reload is better than risking a lost run to a random crash. Edit to add: this is the primary reason I rate Dreamcast version ahead of this version.

The second most notable defect is a slight desync between the audio track and the cutscenes, which mostly interferes with intended timing of song to visuals in a couple of scenes. This is relatively minor, especially if you have no experience with the original.

Aside from that, there are a few very minor things that I think Hard Mode more than compensates for.

[caelcyndar5]

Originally posted by segaandrew86:

the dreamcast and PS2 version. although, there were some audio and visual glitches on the PS2 software of Grandia 2 when i played it 6 years ago. On the PS2 of course. i have played the Dreamcast version as well as owned it; 17 years ago. This and Skies of Arcadia were my favorite Dreamcast original jrpgs. and still are. i want Skies of Arcadia to get a remaster or put on Steam or Switch download very badly; since Grandia 1&2 are coming to Switch eShop in about a month or two.

Skies of Arcadia DEFINITELY needs to come to Steam. That was my very first RPG, Grandia 2 was my 2nd or 3rd (also had both Evolution games on Dreamcast as well).

[the_randomizer1889]

Dreamcast > PS2 > 2015 PC port > 2002 PC port

[Alice and Astreus Grimaude]

Most of the versions of this game are fine in their own right.
If you can't get the PS2 or Dreamcast versions, you can happily play this Steam version.

[pdraggy]

The original PC version xD that came out in Korea only. No there's nothing special about it but you can say you played The original PC version xD that came out in Korea only. (Darn somebody beat me to it!!) BTW this IS Grandia 2 HD they are going to rename it to that upon release. I doubt anything will really differ between this port and the switch port after release, I'd assume this pc port will be patched at that time.

[caelcyndar5]

Originally posted by Alice and Astreus Grimaude:

Most of the versions of this game are fine in their own right.
If you can't get the PS2 or Dreamcast versions, you can happily play this Steam version.

Luckily the Steam version is based off the Dreamcast version instead of the PS2.

[BONKERS]

None of them are perfect. The only one to really avoid is the original PC port.

The DC version has problems
The PS2 version has problems.
This version has problems.
I'm sure the new updated version will still have problems.

Just pick one and enjoy it for what it is.

Originally posted by pdraggy:

The original PC version xD that came out in Korea only. No there's nothing special about it but you can say you played The original PC version xD that came out in Korea only. (Darn somebody beat me to it!!) BTW this IS Grandia 2 HD they are going to rename it to that upon release. I doubt anything will really differ between this port and the switch port after release, I'd assume this pc port will be patched at that time.

Is this different than the Ubisoft/Rocketfish port?

[the_randomizer1889]

Originally posted by BONKERS:

None of them are perfect. The only one to really avoid is the original PC port.

The DC version has problems
The PS2 version has problems.
This version has problems.
I'm sure the new updated version will still have problems.

Just pick one and enjoy it for what it is.

Originally posted by pdraggy:

The original PC version xD that came out in Korea only. No there's nothing special about it but you can say you played The original PC version xD that came out in Korea only. (Darn somebody beat me to it!!) BTW this IS Grandia 2 HD they are going to rename it to that upon release. I doubt anything will really differ between this port and the switch port after release, I'd assume this pc port will be patched at that time.

Is this different than the Ubisoft/Rocketfish port?

Man that 2002/2003 Ubisoft port royally sucked, the game softlocked on the final boss.

[pdraggy]

Originally posted by BONKERS:

Is this different than the Ubisoft/Rocketfish port?

I lost the demo file so not sure if it was Ubisoft or not I just know I was told it was only released in Korea :/ but it's been years and I barely payed attention to Grandia since. It may have been localized somewhere along the way?

[Icy1007]

Just don't play the PS2 version. It is the absolute worst. It lags like crazy and cannot keep a steady framerate.

[Omario]

Without a hard mode, you have to actively try to die in this game as it is so easy. First played this on the PS2 and as much as I loved it, the closest I came to being killed was the Eye of Valmar. Every other fight was an utter cakewalk.