Should I buy it again, or emulate it?

[Medion]

I still have my Grandia II discs for Dreamcast (and many other games). I'm into emulation but haven't gotten around to the Dreamcast yet. For those of you who own both the DC original and the new Anniversary edition, what's your take?

I really want to support this developer for bringing back such a great title buy purchasing at or near full price, rather than a 75% off sale down the road. But if the emulated version is superior, I'll stick with that.

[Seraphita]

Yeah really smart of you to ask if you should buy or pirate it... *facepalm*

[Warrior of Right]

Originally posted by Sera:

Yeah really smart of you to ask if you should buy or pirate it... *facepalm*

He said he has his old discs and many emulators play right from the disc so how is that pirating?!?

All these "anniversary editions" and "remasters" and "definitive edition" are just complete editions and lazy cash grabs anyway that only improve graphics.... (barely)

if you play it on emulator you can force widescreen (16:9) 1080p and not have to deal with the butchered audio.
All this port has is trophies, 99 save slots and 1080p with a plethora of bugs.
(oh sorry and cash grab cards with lazy badges)

[Jjj'jj]

-I- have not come across any of the original PC port's problems, but apparently they do still occur. New resolution support and dual-audio have been added, so as long as old port's problem's -don't- rear it's head; it's basically the definitive version unless you are really, REALLY into emulation. I've played all 3 plus the ps2 port so I think my opinion holds some weight on the matter. Emulation has some strange visual bugs or slowdown depending on the emulator you use. The original PC port was broken and the PS2 suffered bizarre performance issues. Also it probably goes without saying, but you'll need a better computer for DC emulation than you would playing this which if you do not have the best PC could lead to additional problems with the emulator.

I will say I have come across one soft lock in my playthrough; but I haven't been able to replocate it but it occured during the Beastman Boss fight where both my character and the boss activated a spell at the same time, but only one came out and then game waited for the second attack that never came. To this game's credit, this could occur in the original DC release as well. I don't believe it's tied specifically to this fight either, on either version.

I highly recommend it if you want to play it again; either this version or your original DC discs. They stand supreme. I do believe this is the definite version, but I can respect the appeal of original hardware.

[Warrior of Right]

or really into the good audio and good soundtrack......
This has many of the PC port bugs ask the guys that stopped playing it due to the Millenia bug.

[Detestable Geohound]

It's a gamble.

On the one hand, there are players who experience zero bugs with this version.

On the other hand, there is a Bug List a mile long for everyone else.

On the third-nonexistant hand, a lot of emulators for Grandia 2 are absolute garbage.

If you have/obtain the Dreamcast version (and a Dreamcast, obviously), that's your safest bet. Not a cheap option, but as long as the Dreamcast works its the only one with a guarentee that the game will play as it was intended to play.

[Jjj'jj]

Originally posted by What's next? Pillow Gauntlet?:

or really into the good audio and good soundtrack......
This has many of the PC port bugs ask the guys that stopped playing it due to the Millenia bug.

Except he already has the original discs so there isn't really selling point to emulation beyond save states and functions like fast forward. I think the audio is fine, but I guess I haven't run into the same issues others have. I'm just voicing my two cents; my opinions only reflect my own. He is free to make his own decision. I've updated my post to reflect that alleged bugs still exist, so no one can say I won't admit I'm wrong, partially or otherwise.

[Vashe]

Same here no bugs, but pretty standard setup, i5 2500k, win 7 64, 8gb ram, 760 gtx. It's true than some sound fx are too loud (the steps) but otherwise it's completely fine.

[General Sexy]

Originally posted by What's next? Pillow Gauntlet?:

if you play it on emulator you can force widescreen (16:9) 1080p and not have to deal with the butchered audio.
All this port has is trophies and 1080p with a plethora of bugs.
(oh sorry and cash grab cards with lazy badges)

This post is so wrong is hurts. The old pc version is just broken badly, the ps2 port is ♥♥♥♥♥♥ with face and ground textures spazzing out and dissapearing for no good reason, the dreamcast port runs okay but the dreamcast emulators themselves are ♥♥♥♥.

So yes, in this case it's bette to just buy the steam game, it's £10, literally 1 hours worth of work for 30 hours of enjoyment.

[SolidSnake056]

i have not run in to any bugs yet the Grandia II Anniversary Edition PC

[Warrior of Right]

Originally posted by rock6800:

i have not run in to any bugs yet the Grandia II Anniversary Edition PC

Niether have i besides audio that every one experiances, doesn't mean they not there tho.

Dreamcast with 480p VGA box is still the best option unless you really want to have Grandia 100% on your profile, if that is even possible or will trophy bugs start popping up too....

[Zeraki]

I've been fortunate enough not to run into any bugs as of yet(although many others haven't had the same luck), but the audio is really messed up. SFX is far too loud and often drowns everything else out and there is a lot of issues with music not playing properly in certain scenes and not looping properly.

So far the audio is my biggest issue with this port.

[Warrior of Right]

Originally posted by Captain Sarcasm:

I've been fortunate enough not to run into any bugs as of yet(although many others haven't had the same luck), but the audio is really messed up. SFX is far too loud and often drowns everything else out and there is a lot of issues with music not playing properly in certain scenes and not looping properly.

So far the audio is my biggest issue with this port.

.......and the audio is a big part of what makes this game good, so it a big problem.

[Detestable Geohound]

Originally posted by What's next? Pillow Gauntlet?:

Originally posted by Captain Sarcasm:

I've been fortunate enough not to run into any bugs as of yet(although many others haven't had the same luck), but the audio is really messed up. SFX is far too loud and often drowns everything else out and there is a lot of issues with music not playing properly in certain scenes and not looping properly.

So far the audio is my biggest issue with this port.

.......and the audio is a big part of what makes this game good, so it a big problem.

If replacing the audio files works as a temporary fix that would be great, but I haven't heard any progress on that from people who said they'd test it.

[Warrior of Right]

Originally posted by Detestable Geohound:

If replacing the audio files works as a temporary fix that would be great, but I haven't heard any progress on that from people who said they'd test it.

i muted the menu scroll sound effect that all i'm doing.
(don't want to fix a bunch of the audio and they just release an update that overwrites it anyway if they decide to fix it)

[Tarrok]

I do not know i my memory fails me, after all even the darkest moments keep on getting brighter after time but I am pretty sure I experienced nearly all of so far discovered bugs in Anniversary version also during my times with old disc PC version.
Therefore as an advice from me I don't think you should decide based on very faint promises of bugless play on original PC version or emulated.
Beside bugs occuring are now systematically fixed in Anniversary while you're just stuck with them in the other option.
Regarding audio issues I will again repeat myselph and about this I am perfecty sure, I experienced it also a while back and it is not a current bug.
Graphic is improved but only slightly so it is not really factor, maybe very slightly favoring Anniversary but honestly you will not know the difference.
Other then those there is not much to speak about. You will get chance to earn some achievements if you pick Anniversary and if you care about that kind of things.
Personally I would suggest you buy Anniversary, It is a great initiative I am happy to see and support in any way. Funny thing to see it coming on steam while for example PSN users have been crying for it nearly since ps3 premiere.
Price is not a fortune really, I can spend more on lunch and not in a specially fancy place when I'm hungry.