Almost an instant classic... still, a solid title.

So, here we have Grandia 3. Years and years of waiting after Grandia 2's release, and pretty much everyone who has played that gem of a game has pretty high expectations. Pity, because on most accounts, Grandia 3 doesn't improve on what Grandia 2 already established. No, Grandia 3 is easily described as a "side-step" for the Grandia series. So yea, everyone is up in a tizzy about the battle system. Truth be told, yes, it really is pretty incredible. Incredible, in the sense that it keeps you a wee bit more alert than say, Final Fantasy X managed to do. This, of course, is a slightly half-handed compliment. While combos are certainly fun, and cancelling is helpful - this game really doesn't feel like it went as far as it could've gone with various elements of the system. Kind of like the battle system in Grandia 3, the music comes across as sort of hum-ho as well. And the same can be said towards the storyline. Grandia 3 feels like merely a half-assed Skies of Arcadia to me. And for all the praise the graphics have been receiving as of late, I really can't say I agree. Oh yes, the graphics are pretty damn nice. Honestly, I was a lot more dumbstruck when I first saw Metal Gear Solid 3. Still am, actually. So, while I think the battle system is fun, I think it could've been deeper. I think the graphics are good, yet overrated. The sounds and story certainly aren't going to make you cringe in pain, but they won't inspire you either. This seems to be the case in regards to everything Grandia 3. Yea, it's good...but it could've, and more importantly...SHOULD'VE, been better. I loved the hell out of Grandia 2, after all. It was something I found to be truly magical at that point in time. Of course, I was much younger then too. Hard to believe it came out on the Dreamcast in 2000, isn't it? Well, the year is 2006 folks, and that crap isn't going to cut it anymore. I've seen the greener pastures. And Grandia 3 just doesn't do much more for me than Grandia 2 did.