Est. 1998
Playing Out of Control Gaming

Retro reviews, vintage hardware, classic PC builds, and modern ways to keep old games alive.

Search the Archive
Home Games Grandia Grandia II
Grandia II
GrandiaDreamcastRPG

Grandia II

Developer: Game Arts · Published by Ubi Soft · 2000
The Dreamcast RPG that made battles feel like a fistfight with a stopwatch.
IP GaugeNo Random BattlesMana EggsFMV CutscenesTurn CancelsJRPG
5.0
Masterpiece
POCG VERDICT
A near-perfect Dreamcast RPG with one of the smartest battle systems ever put in the genre.
Grandia II is gorgeous, loud, fast and brilliant where it counts: the battle system. A Dreamcast RPG masterpiece.
About This Game

Grandia II is a Japanese role-playing game developed by Game Arts and published by Ubi Soft for the Sega Dreamcast in North America. Released in Japan in August 2000 and in North America in December 2000, it follows Ryudo, a mercenary drawn into a conflict involving the god of light Granas and the dark god Valmar. The game is known for its fully 3D presentation, colorful environments, strong soundtrack by Noriyuki Iwadare and an active time battle system built around the IP gauge, command timing and attack cancellation. Unlike many console RPGs of its era, Grandia II avoids random battles, showing enemies on the field before combat begins. The Dreamcast version became one of the system's standout RPGs and remains closely associated with the console's short but memorable RPG library alongside Skies of Arcadia.

POCG ReviewOriginal: December 6, 2000 · Restored: June 6, 2026
5.0
Masterpiece
Review Verdict
Grandia II
Grandia II is gorgeous, loud, fast and brilliant where it counts: the battle system. A Dreamcast RPG masterpiece.
How to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026
Original Hardware
The Dreamcast version is the original North American release and still the version this review is talking about. You'll need a working Dreamcast, a VMU and the original GD-ROM.
Modern Re-release
Grandia II HD Remaster is available on Steam, GOG, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with the Switch version included in Grandia HD Collection.
Emulation / Other Options
Dreamcast emulation through Flycast handles the original version well. The HD Remaster is easier to buy and run on modern hardware, but the Dreamcast original is still the cleanest historical target.