Control in Grandia II is very simple, and, as might be expected from a console port, it does not make use of the mouse.  Ryudo is moved with the arrow keys, and the [z] and [x] keys are used to select and cancel actions.  Two keys control the game's camera which is set to a fixed height and angle, but can be rotated about a circle with Ryudo at the center.  PC players will also need to get used to the game's save feature - it is implemented in the style of video games and only allows the game to be saved at certain special locations.  Moving beyond a save game spot might require a larger investment in playing time than desired before the next save spot is encountered.

The game's graphics are certainly colorful, although the environments are not highly detailed.  However they do serve the game's light-hearted and cartoony feel well.  The 3D environments can cause some frustration because of the way the camera is implemented, though.  It can be difficult to make your way through some of the more narrow paths and passages, since the camera must constantly be rotated so that the path is not obscured. 

The sound in the game is pretty sparse - there's not too much in the way of environmental or background noise.  The huge exception to this is the sound of characters'  footsteps which for some reason are incredibly loud.  On second thought there might be environmental noise, it just can't be heard over the thunderous footfalls.

Despite the fact that it is almost a completely different animal than PC RPGs, Grandia II can be seductively enjoyable.  Accept the fact that it is a light-hearted and pretty much linear affair, and you will find it an enjoyable diversion.  Since it does not suffer from the twin albatrosses that plague too many console RPGs - broken English translations and dialog and mind-numbingly repetitive and constant random combat encounters - it provides PC gamers with a good opportunity to experience a type of game very popular on video game platforms, but rarely seen on computers.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 74%.  If you're looking for a different RPG experience and want to try a console-style game on your PC, then Grandia II is a good choice.  Those who prefer their RPGs to be the more serious experience typical of PC games might be better off passing on it.

System Requirements:  Pentium II 350;  64 MB RAM;  16 MB Video RAM; 8x CD-ROM;  820 MB Hard Drive Space;  Mouse.

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