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Grand Kingdom is a game that echoes something I have been writing about regarding quite a few games recently, when it comes to their scheduling.
This one has been out in Japan since November 2015, so you would hope that now it has been released over here, seven months later, the developers would have got this game right. Talking about the developers, I found it quite challenging to pinpoint who actually developed this game but it seems to me that the key ones are Spike Chunshoft. They have been involved in a number of Japanese games like Danganronpa (a Vita game that I have been keen to play, but haven’t yet) and One Piece (a show that I love but a game which slightly let me down).
What type of game is it? This is something I always want to know before I play the game. Grand Kingdom is a tactical RPG. It has been released on the PS4 as well as the PS Vita and this review will be focusing on the PS4 version. As tactical RPGs go, I haven’t played many. I mean, I worked through Final Fantasy Tactics a number of years ago and gave Tactics Ogre a go, a few years back, but I was getting frustrated looking at the small PSP screen (I really need a PSP Go). So, to be completely honest, was a new experience for me and one I was looking forward to. The game is one player, but there is an online multiplayer which I will talk about later.
Initial reactions to the game:
As it begins, the game starts you see a little skit showing some different characters. This doesn’t explain anything at all but it looks quite cool. Then I started playing a new game and I was extremely impressed with how the game sounded and looked. You are a character called ‘boss’, and Flint is a friend who refers to you by this honoured name. I was a little bit confused when I got to my first battle and there were four of us, but that was cool. The graphics looked sharp and I find myself quite immersed in the tactics involved. I had a good feeling about this one… Then I met Lillia, yes a typical Japanese game with a gorgeous looking girl, for whom who you are not quite sure of their age.
What the game is about:
I never like to give much away in this part, as I don’t want to spoil the mystery on which you are going to embark. I’ve read so many reviews before where I feel I’ve known what is going to happen at the end of the game before I have even played it, so here is a brief synopsis of what will unfold… Let me take you back to a medieval fantasy land – a land with magic, dragons, thieves and castles. This is a land where four main factions are fighting for dominance and you are the hero who is going to make the difference – fight wisely my friend.
There are two main modes to this game: the story mode and an online multiplayer. I feel I have given you enough about the story, so it is worth going into the latte. You need to have completed the first couple of missions before you are allowed to use the online mode and it is quite confusing and didn’t keep me hooked. However, the solo mode has enough to offer by itself. Not all games need to an online mode and I believe this is is this case with this game.
Once again this is another game where the graphics seem inspired by classic anime. All the characters look great and have armour that you find yourself wanting to inspect. The maps are quite simple but are effective, while the ‘chess pieces’ are quite bog standard. However, this suits the style of game; Not everything needs to look amazing. When you are in the guild, you will notice that even the backgrounds show some small details which show the care that has been given into creating this game. Of course, being a Japanese game, you will be very grateful when you meet the busty shopkeeper with half of her best assets already on show. Every time I went back to the guild, I decided to see her just one more time…
The music will have you from the off. As soon as the intro begins, you are treated to some uplifting tune which, like a lot of the music, is progressive and converted me into an explorer. Then, when the beginning screen came in to play, I was honestly ready to find all the unearthed land of the world. As you start to play the game, you will notice that the quality of sound will not lower. The voice acting is strong, and the characters actually suit their voices. I particularly liked Gandfrey and his low, crispy voice. However Godfrey’s voice oozed power and knowledge. At times, the game’s music reminded me of the dramatic parts from Final Fantasy VII and that was a score that I loved. I have to say that this game has the best sound I have heard in a game for a long time and there is nothing for which I would fault.
Go to page 2 for more thoughts on the game plus conclusions.
Key facts about the gameplay: there are different unit types of characters you can choose and they all have their own unique style. I found it quite confusing at the start, but the more you play, the more you get used to how each one works. If I’m honest, I choose 3 really hot-looking girls for my first set of four. Your quests often have you moving from one place to another, defeating the bad guys in your way. The movement is very basic and resembles a board game, but the fighting offers you an experience I haven’t felt before in a video game. The battles are turn-based, but the different characters have different ways of attacking. Some are better from distances whereas some characters require you to get up close and personal. The medic slightly annoyed me because you have to drop the medicine on the floor, and then someone walks over it to heal. However, a number of other healing options come readily available later in the game. What I loved – yet hated at the start – is that if you are using a spell and are shooting in the line your character is, then you are going to also hit your character. During my first 20 battles, I was still making these mistakes and it was constantly frustrating me, but also making me think carefully about each move I made.
There are a lot of times where you will be watching rather than playing, especially at the start, but at no point did I find them boring. There’s a lot to take on board and, at times, I found it a little too much to learn. You can upgrade all your weapons, add different skills to the characters and provide different abilities – all for 17 different classes. However, even though I didn’t take on board everything said to me, it didn’t affect how I played the game. I really enjoyed being in charge of my crew and deciding all their names – sadly, this did turn me into a little kid again. I just feel it could have been a little text-heavy at the start and maybe introduced me into a few things in a slower fashion. There’s only a small amount of new knowledge my brain can take it without a nap.
Enjoyment:
Okay so this part of the section is the hardest part to write. Did I have the most fun ever playing this game… no. Did I have fun playing it? Yes… well I think yes. I mean, I liked playing it, but was that because I always want to be the best at something I do. I wanted to have the best guild and, therefore, named it something which was personal to me. I had fun seeing all the character designs and learning how to use each type of character.
The main story will last about 12 hours. However, there is another 30-odd hours of extras you can do. Is this a bit too long? Potentially, I understand why games are getting longer these days. Gone are the days of a quick ’12 hours and you’ve done everything’ game. I’ve got to say that there is a good amount of humour in this game, mainly provided by Flint, and you will find yourself chuckling from his bad-mouthed rants and alcohol-hunting humour. Overall, I would say the enjoyment levels are either a 7 or an 8 so I will meet myself in the middle and go for 7.5. The solo is fun, but also frustrating. However I can guarantee you will get addicted.
Overall, this is definitely a game worth playing. Even though it will frustrate and irritate, you will enjoy the journey. It offers something different, something I have never experienced before, and might just reopen the genre for many more games like this. If only this Japanese market was a little bit bigger in the UK.
In short:
- Graphics: 8 – nothing spectacular but just right for the game
Sound: 10 – absolutely nothing bad to say about this
Gameplay: 7 – at times simple at other times far too complicated but incredibly addictive
Enjoyment: 7.5 – frustrating, irritating but excellent
Overall: 8 – If you are a fan of tactical RPGs then this is a game for you.
Grand Kingdom is out now on PS Vita and PS4, and also as a Limited Edition on PS Vita and Limited Edition on PS4.
PC. Click on the packshot for the full-size version.
Thanks to those Youtube channels featured for the gaming footage.
Important info:
- Publisher: NIS America
- Players: single player campaign, online multiplayer
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GRAPHICS SOUND GAMEPLAY ENJOYMENT |
8 10 7 7.5 |
| OVERALL | 8 |
Director: Tomohiko Deguchi
Artist: Chizu Hashii
Composer: Mitsuhiro Kaneda
I have been a video game player since 1993 and a music fan since I can remember. I studied Film and Journalism at university and ended up becoming a Primary School teacher. Video games changed my life and sent me on the right track and have stayed with me ever since.
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