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Grandia 2 Anniversary Edition on August 24, $20 (25% off sale at launch)

Knuckles500

Neo Member
Some impressions of my own (Steam version).

I noticed there were some issues with the audio at times where the music track will loop a few times, fade out, and then restart from the beginning again. Speaking of audio, I noticed that the area where the Ryudo's fire pit is outside the tower in the beginning of the game is still emitting sound even though the fire is not visible. The music that plays during the first cutscene for when you arrive at the tower is looped so that it plays over and over again, but I believe it should only play once.

In terms of framerate, I don't mind the 30fps. I am noticing a ton of microstuttering on my end that doesn't seem related to hard drive access. I can eliminate some of it by forcing triple buffering with my drivers but it's still present. Is anyone else having this issue?

The game works fine using the In-Home streaming feature. Macbook Pro (Retina) Late 2013 connected via WiFi on a Netgear R6250 router (2.4Ghz hotspot) with a DS4 controller and haven't noticed any issues. I had some problems initially with hardware encoding enabled on the host but it seems better with it off.

From what I've played so far it seems like an alright port. I didn't encounter any of the odd coin bugs that everyone else is having. Definitely better than that PS2 port for sure.

EDIT: As a side note, I noticed the FIELD/SYSTEM config files from the original game are still present. These were purged from the original PC port if I remember correctly. Whoops.

These are located at 'Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\bin'.

Saved games are stored at 'Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\saves'. They use the VMS Dreamcast save format.
 
Whilst I love Grandia 1 more - I'm having a blast with this. Dear god this battle system is so good - cancelling enemy attacks milliseconds before they hit you and keeping a monster at bay without him getting a hit on you - so much joy. Why aren't all RPG's like this?

Have you used or intend to use a similar system in one of your cool games Mr Robert at Zeboyd games?
 

el87

Member
For those who are wondering about it being a port, I remember owning it on PC way back (like 15 years ago) already and that's where I beat it playing on a generic controller that you had to plug in through a yellow port on the sound card.

I suspect the only thing they updated is support for newer windows versions, screen resolutions and such.


To;dr:

It's not a new port. It's a PC re-release
 
Have you used or intend to use a similar system in one of your cool games Mr Robert at Zeboyd games?

Yes, both of our Penny Arcade games (Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 & 4) have Grandia elements in the combat.

Battle2.png


It's not a new port. It's a PC re-release

Someone involved in the project has refuted this several times.
 

Eila

Member
For those who are wondering about it being a port, I remember owning it on PC way back (like 15 years ago) already and that's where I beat it playing on a generic controller that you had to plug in through a yellow port on the sound card.

I suspect the only thing they updated is support for newer windows versions, screen resolutions and such.


To;dr:

It's not a new port. It's a PC re-release

No, it most certainly is a new port, handled by SkyBox and based on the Dreamcast version.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
For those who are wondering about it being a port, I remember owning it on PC way back (like 15 years ago) already and that's where I beat it playing on a generic controller that you had to plug in through a yellow port on the sound card.

I suspect the only thing they updated is support for newer windows versions, screen resolutions and such.


To;dr:

It's not a new port. It's a PC re-release

Have you actually touched the old PC version recently?

Like really.

It's obviously not the same port.

Are the CGI cinematics still in their native resolution?

Yes and no. If you check out my screenshots here the introduction FMV appears (and I could be wrong) to be an upressed-from-480p-with-new-elements-on-top movie file. So yes, in the sense that it's just the old 480p footage. No in the sense that the files technically aren't 480p anymore due to upres.

To answer your implied question of "did they redo the cinematics from source resulting in higher detail"? the answer is no.
 

Lulubop

Member
For those who are wondering about it being a port, I remember owning it on PC way back (like 15 years ago) already and that's where I beat it playing on a generic controller that you had to plug in through a yellow port on the sound card.

I suspect the only thing they updated is support for newer windows versions, screen resolutions and such.


To;dr:

It's not a new port. It's a PC re-release

Well you're wrong

tl'dr

it's a port based on the DC version.
 

Danny Dudekisser

I paid good money for this Dynex!
Some impressions of my own (Steam version).

I noticed there were some issues with the audio at times where the music track will loop a few times, fade out, and then restart from the beginning again. Speaking of audio, I noticed that the area where the Ryudo's fire pit is outside the tower in the beginning of the game is still emitting sound even though the fire is not visible. The music that plays during the first cutscene for when you arrive at the tower is looped so that it plays over and over again, but I believe it should only play once.

In terms of framerate, I don't mind the 30fps. I am noticing a ton of microstuttering on my end that doesn't seem related to hard drive access. I can eliminate some of it by forcing triple buffering with my drivers but it's still present. Is anyone else having this issue?

The game works fine using the In-Home streaming feature. Macbook Pro (Retina) Late 2013 connected via WiFi on a Netgear R6250 router (2.4Ghz hotspot) with a DS4 controller and haven't noticed any issues. I had some problems initially with hardware encoding enabled on the host but it seems better with it off.

From what I've played so far it seems like an alright port. I didn't encounter any of the odd coin bugs that everyone else is having. Definitely better than that PS2 port for sure.

EDIT: As a side note, I noticed the FIELD/SYSTEM config files from the original game are still present. These were purged from the original PC port if I remember correctly. Whoops.

These are located at 'Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\bin'.

Saved games are stored at 'Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\saves'. They use the VMS Dreamcast save format.

Well, this sounds shitty.

Not sure if I want to wait for the bugs to get worked out, or if I should just stick to the DC version.
 

Tendo

Member
None of the posted fixes are working for me on Windows 10. :( Camera just spins and spins. Now I have to go ly down.
 
Running buttery smooth on my laptop with a gtx 555m graphics card, if that helps anyone with a similar set up. GOG has a 30 day money back guarantee so I bought it through them for security.

Sad to see so many issues for other people though. I am surprised by how many people are into it though, I've only met one other person in real life who's ever played the game, and it's my favourite game series :-(
 

Tendo

Member
I fixed it!
I unplugged the controller and used the keyboard :(

I have to do the same thing I have to do with FFXIII - Set the device to xbox one controller in my device manager - however this deactivates my triggers in every other game so I have to reboot if I switch games. Total pain. I'm not sure if it is Microsoft or devs but someone has to get it together!
 
Saved games are stored at 'Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\saves'. They use the VMS Dreamcast save format.
I'm curious about something now. I had played about 1/2 of the game via nullDC recently. Would it be possible to import my save from there, due to the VMS save format?
 

Caspel

Business & Marketing Manager @ GungHo
For those who are wondering about it being a port, I remember owning it on PC way back (like 15 years ago) already and that's where I beat it playing on a generic controller that you had to plug in through a yellow port on the sound card.

I suspect the only thing they updated is support for newer windows versions, screen resolutions and such.


To;dr:

It's not a new port. It's a PC re-release

Stop. We used the DC version. The PC version from old was not used at all. No need to make up stories.
 

Parsnip

Member
For anyone wondering, it seems to be fairly easy to replace most if not all hud elements with a higher resolution versions if someone were to make them. Same with emote portraits.
I don't have my editing tools installed at the moment, but I threw this up quickly to test it and replaced some of the compass elements with random shit from google image search.



Couldn't find a font/alphabet file though.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
Is the new difficulty mode recommended for players who never played the game?

I don't have practical experience with the new mode, but the original game was really easy, and the most tricky parts of the combat was timing cancels (and/or picking the right skills to cancel, etc) or eat big hurty abilities in the face.

If it's simply 20% extra HP on enemies, it'll extend boss fights somewhat, and possibly make general combat a little longer and the one-shot threshold on mobs for farming or whatever a little higher. I'd say go for it, unless you're short on IRL time.

The stretching looks really rough. Was meant as as hyperbole.

FWIW I laughed :D

For anyone wondering, it seems to be fairly easy to replace most if not all hud elements with a higher resolution versions if someone were to make them. Same with emote portraits.
I don't have my editing tools installed at the moment, but I threw this up quickly to test it and replaced some of the compass elements with random shit from google image search.

Yo we're in business!

Couldn't find a font/alphabet file though.

... Oh.
 

Easy_D

never left the stone age
Stop. We used the DC version. The PC version from old was not used at all. No need to make up stories.

Man, rough launch, feel bad for you guys, hopefully you'll get the worst things (the tutorial bug is probably it) sorted in a timely manner, super excited to get this once I have the funds though.
 

Caspel

Business & Marketing Manager @ GungHo
Man, rough launch, feel bad for you guys, hopefully you'll get the worst things (the tutorial bug is probably it) sorted in a timely manner, super excited to get this once I have the funds though.

Nah, not that rough of a launch since we are on top of all the reported bugs and glitches (or trying to make sure we find them all). This morning's Steam issue was server/distribution side, so there wasn't much we could do until after the launch. With any PC launch, myself as a consumer, too, I have come to expect a few hiccups regardless of developer, publisher, individual, company, etc. So given that, I want to make sure we at GungHo are on top of every reported issue and make sure anyone that does indeed decide to buy the game can have an open dialogue and begin trust with us as we try to assist when/where we can.

EDIT:

I also want to help clarify what the VMU saves functionality means to the our new PC version.

- The VMS file format is the same file format used by the original Dreamcast console
- Because the Anniversary Edition is based off the original Dreamcast code, Grandia II also writes & reads to the VMS save file format within the data/save file directory
- This allows the player to import their own VMS save files that can be downloaded from any Dreamcast community websites like Blue Swirl
- Also, since Dreamcast emulators also use VMS save files, they can also bring any of their personal save files over from their emulator and continue on within the Anniversary Edition. Any Grandia II VMS save file will work.
- This allows the Grandia community to share VMS save files easily between their friends & fanbase regardless of platform

Where to find your save files
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\saves

In this folder you'll see a list with all your save files. All you need to do is rename your downloaded or personal VMS files to match the format used by the game which looks like:
GRANDIA2_000.VMS

That's all there is to it. The next time you load up the Anniversary Edition your imported save files will appear in the Load Game screen.
 

lfvgt

Neo Member
Nah, not that rough of a launch since we are on top of all the reported bugs and glitches (or trying to make sure we find them all). This morning's Steam issue was server/distribution side, so there wasn't much we could do until after the launch. With any PC launch, myself as a consumer, too, I have come to expect a few hiccups regardless of developer, publisher, individual, company, etc. So given that, I want to make sure we at GungHo are on top of every reported issue and make sure anyone that does indeed decide to buy the game can have an open dialogue and begin trust with us as we try to assist when/where we can.

Very nice to see this commitment to the customers! Grandia II is a game I really love and I'll be buying this new version asap, just waiting to have some cash to spare and for the few technical problems to be solved.
 

Danny Dudekisser

I paid good money for this Dynex!
Nah, not that rough of a launch since we are on top of all the reported bugs and glitches (or trying to make sure we find them all). This morning's Steam issue was server/distribution side, so there wasn't much we could do until after the launch. With any PC launch, myself as a consumer, too, I have come to expect a few hiccups regardless of developer, publisher, individual, company, etc. So given that, I want to make sure we at GungHo are on top of every reported issue and make sure anyone that does indeed decide to buy the game can have an open dialogue and begin trust with us as we try to assist when/where we can.

EDIT:

I also want to help clarify what the VMU saves functionality means to the our new PC version.

- The VMS file format is the same file format used by the original Dreamcast console
- Because the Anniversary Edition is based off the original Dreamcast code, Grandia II also writes & reads to the VMS save file format within the data/save file directory
- This allows the player to import their own VMS save files that can be downloaded from any Dreamcast community websites like Blue Swirl
- Also, since Dreamcast emulators also use VMS save files, they can also bring any of their personal save files over from their emulator and continue on within the Anniversary Edition. Any Grandia II VMS save file will work.
- This allows the Grandia community to share VMS save files easily between their friends & fanbase regardless of platform

Where to find your save files
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Grandia II Anniversary Edition\data\saves

In this folder you'll see a list with all your save files. All you need to do is rename your downloaded or personal VMS files to match the format used by the game which looks like:
GRANDIA2_000.VMS

That's all there is to it. The next time you load up the Anniversary Edition your imported save files will appear in the Load Game screen.


Cool - this assurance was enough for me to go ahead and buy the game. Grandia II on GOG feels good, man.
 

Peff

Member
It's funny how good the real time shadows look upressed. Pretty cool tech for an early Dreamcast, low-key JRPG. Other than the couple of bugs which will hopefully be adressed quickly it's a cheap, few-clicks-away version of Grandia 2 with dual audio, and that's no small feat. With any luck 1 and the Lunar series will join it at some point.
 

Caspel

Business & Marketing Manager @ GungHo
It's funny how good the real time shadows look upressed. Pretty cool tech for an early Dreamcast, low-key JRPG. Other than the couple of bugs which will hopefully be adressed quickly it's a cheap, few-clicks-away version of Grandia 2 with dual audio, and that's no small feat. With any luck 1 and the Lunar series will join it at some point.

Those shadows are new =D. For example, here are shadows from 2000

grandia2_profilelarge.jpg
 

DunpealD

Member
Those shadows are new =D. For example, here are shadows from 2000

grandia2_profilelarge.jpg

But what if people like the "plate" shadows or just want a pure port option? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Quick question. Wasn't the DC version faster when using VGA? I still remember moves finishing, before the english VAs could finish their lines.

Anyway congrats on releasing the game. Loving the dual audio option. I hope it becomes a standard feature when more ports are coming. Hopefully there won't be too many bugs and glitches tarnishing the game.
 

Neoweee

Member
1) Windowed mode with draggable resizing works fantastic.

2) Digging through the game files directories, this game looks ridiculously moddable.

Good work, GungHo.
 

Caspel

Business & Marketing Manager @ GungHo
1) Windowed mode with draggable resizing works fantastic.

2) Digging through the game files directories, this game looks ridiculously moddable.

Good work, GungHo.

Thank you! If you have any concerns with any glitches or bugs, feel free to reach out to me.

Not if you want to play with Xbox one controller. Even the driver update didn't work for me.

EDIT: Could you PM me the issues you are having along with the system and drivers you are trying to use? I'd like to have our developer look into this in case it is an ongoing and problem across many players.
 

RurouniZel

Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
None of the posted fixes are working for me on Windows 10. :( Camera just spins and spins. Now I have to go ly down.

The same happened to me. The only "fix" there is that I can find is holding the L button down. It stops it from spinning.

I'm going to try my 360 controller and see if that fixes it.

EDIT: Just tested it, the Xbox 360 controller does not have the camera spinning issue. The Xbox One controller does.
 

Eila

Member
Thank you! If you have any concerns with any glitches or bugs, feel free to reach out to me.



EDIT: Could you PM me the issues you are having along with the system and drivers you are trying to use? I'd like to have our developer look into this in case it is an ongoing and problem across many players.

Adjustable deadzones would be nice. Is there some external software that can do that for me?
 
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