GungHo bringing Grandia II to PC

GungHo Online Entertainment and GameArts have revealed that they are indeed hard at work on bringing one of the most beloved, classic JRPGs of all time, Grandia II, to the PC.

The announcement has confirmed a Steam release of the remastered Dreamcast version, though the PR also mentions “modern platforms”, so we’re assuming we may see it show up elsewhere at one point as well. (fingers crossed!)  The PC version will feature enhanced visuals, mouse and keyboard controls along with gamepad support, and for Steam, achievements and trading cards.

Not date or price was attached to the project, and we don’t have any media yet, so stay tuned for those details!

Read on for the announcement.

GungHo Online Entertainment America (GOEA) today announced that, as a result of enthusiastic feedback from a GameArts Survey, a remastered version of the developer’s classic RPG Grandia II has recently begun development for Steam and Windows PC. Utilizing the Dreamcast version as the remaster’s foundation, for the first time in over a decade, fans of the beloved Grandia series will be able to relive the excitement of this critically acclaimed installment on modern platforms.

Set thousands of years after an ancient war between the Gods of Light and Darkness nearly destroyed the world, Grandia II follows the journey of Ryudo, a young mercenary hired to protect a young priestess on her quest to halt the encroaching rebirth of Valmar, the God of Darkness. With their fates entwined, Ryudo and the young priestess must follow their destiny and uncover the secrets of the past to bring an end to the evil that awaits.

“With the rise of digital downloads, it is especially important that classic games continue to remain available to play in some form,” said Jun Iwasaki, president of GungHo Online Entertainment America. “Grandia II was chosen for a PC re-release because it represents both a hallmark of the Grandia series and an example of how great JRPGs can be.”

Grandia II will be fully remastered and optimized for the PC by utilizing and improving upon the game’s original Dreamcast version. In addition to updated visuals to accommodate an HD experience, players can choose between a keyboard and mouse config or gamepad support for a more nostalgic experience. Steam achievements and Grandia themed trading cards will also be added, rewarding both new and returning players for fully exploring the world of Grandia II.

Developed by GameArts, creators of such classics as the Lunar and Grandia series, Grandia II is considered a highpoint for its unique battle system and stunning visuals. Originally released for the Dreamcast in 2000, the game was critically acclaimed, receiving numerous awards including IGN Editor’s Choice award and EGM’s Gold award.

For information on GungHo Online Entertainment America, visit www.gunghoonline.com. The latest Grandia II news will also be available on Facebook and Twitter.