Here's the thing about the past, you can't escape it. You can learn from it, move on from it, grow from it, dwell on it or even downplay it. But running from it is impossible, it will chase you until you can't run anymore. For its first two thirds, Grandia II's narrative explores this better than any game has before. Sure, other games deal with the past of their heroes and villains, but not quite like this one. Initially released for the Dreamcast in 2000 before being ported (poorly) to the PlayStation 2, Grandia II tackles a theme that is difficult to discuss, something most people hate talking about. It's entire story is framed around the past of not just its main protagonist, but everyone involved. Your party members, your enemies and society as a whole. It's a great, compelling 20 hours of storytelling...until it goes off the rails. In its final 10 hours, Grandia II goes from a pinpoint narrative about the inevitability of the past catching up to its
Old school game reviews and discussion, from the unfamiliar and obscure to the classics you know and love.