Grandia HD Collection
- August 16, 2019
- Game Arts
Grandia HD Collection features the definitive versions of an already spectacular game and its slightly less amazing sequel.
Two quintessential RPGs have finally gone portable on one of gaming's most popular console/handheld hybrid platforms. The highly anticipated GRANDIA HD Collection for the Nintendo Switch is here.
Nintendo Switch
Playstation 4
Xbox One
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Grandia HD Collection features two classic and beloved JRPGs with engaging stories and characters.
- The battle system is highly praised for its strategic depth and remains enjoyable even years after the original releases.
- The collection provides a nostalgic experience for veterans while also being accessible to newcomers.
- The porting and remastering quality is subpar, with numerous audiovisual bugs and performance issues.
- There are no quality of life improvements or extras included, making the experience feel barebones.
- The absence of Grandia III and some technical issues detract from the overall enjoyment of the collection.
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its good quality and presentation, complementing the spectacular battle system and charming characters. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
“Good musical score, easy to learn combat.”
“Amazing, spectacular battle system, charming and endearing cast of characters, good presentation and soundtrack.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics have received mixed reviews, with some users noting fair quality but mentioning issues like blurring and a zoomed-in camera. Additionally, there are limited graphics options available, and while there have been updates to visuals and widescreen support, they do not reach the standards of previous titles like Grandia III.
“The only real updates these games have received are game visuals and widescreen support.”
“Graphics are fair, but there is some blurring in certain areas.”
“The camera is too zoomed-in, and there are no graphics options available.”
“The only real updates these games have received are in game visuals and widescreen support.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for lacking quality of life features, suffering from numerous audiovisual bugs and performance issues, and offering minimal improvements to remastered assets.
“There are no quality of life features, and the game is plagued by countless audiovisual bugs and performance issues. The remastered assets are kept to a bare minimum.”
“The optimization is severely lacking, making the game feel unfinished and frustrating to play.”
“Performance issues are rampant, and the lack of optimization makes it difficult to enjoy the game.”
Critic Reviews
Grandia HD Collection Review
It’s difficult to assign a score to a game like Grandia HD Collection, simply because it both succeeds and fails for entirely different reasons. The timeless quality and fun factor of the two games included make it unfair to give this one a low score, yet the shoddy work done on the porting and remastering holds it back from being worthy of a high one. On the whole, we’d give Grandia HD Collection a light recommendation, as it’s a great way both for newcomers to see what the fuss is about and for veterans to take a trip down memory lane. However, we say this with the caveat that you should probably wait for a sale and for the developers to deploy some patches to fix all the broken parts. The Grandia games deserve a much better remastering treatment than they’ve been given here, but Grandia HD Collection is nonetheless a respectable release.
50%Grandia HD Collection Review
Grandia HD Collection makes two classic, influential RPGs more readily available to a modern audience. But with little in the way of extras and quite a steep asking price, it is unlikely to appeal to anyone other than the most hardcore genre enthusiasts.
60%Grandia II (Switch) Review
The port is a bit rough at times, but the battle system does more than enough to make up for it.
80%
