Grand Kingdom Reviews
If you're looking for a fun and inviting JRPG to pass the time within, then why not give Grand Kingdom a try, you won't be disappointed.
Grand Kingdom is one of the most interesting things I've ever had on my Vita, combining so many ideas together and somehow making them all work. Like a weird looking dish at a foreign restaurant your cousin recommended, you might doubt it can be anything other than a huge mess, but once you get a taste of it, you'll realize just how wrong you were.
One of my common gripes about role-playing games is that the genre has largely been stagnant. Too many games rely on the same concepts and mechanics that fans have seen for decades. That's what makes 'Grand Kingdom' feel so refreshing. Sure, Monochrome's debut has its fair share of flaws, but it also offers up a unique brand of gameplay that really isn't found elsewhere. If you're looking for a role-playing game that is trying to do something different, and innovative with online play, then this is certainly worth checking out.
Grand Kingdom is not a typical role playing game in the slightest. It might have a very charming and simple look with a fantastic soundtrack I might add, but it's completely deep and offers players a ton of content to get through, characters to level up, and missions to complete. It's just a unique experience that comes highly recommend to RPG fans and even with the game being on the PS4, the Vita is perfect for this style of game and the way it delivers it missions and content.
Grand Kingdom boasts some gorgeous artwork and a very unique battle system but somewhere along the lines, it decided to overcomplicates itself. The first couple of hours of the game can seem like an eternity when you have to read through essays on each feature within the game. First appearances can be deceiving and what feels like a lot of content quickly turns into a linear and repetitive system. That said the game has a really unique and enjoyable battle system that alone makes for a fun time. Once you’ve navigated through all the text dumps the game does become more enjoyable but also repetitive. If you’re interested in the strategy element of the battle system then it’s worth checking out but I don’t think the game will have any long term appeal.
Grand Kingdom is a JRPG for those bigger on game-play than flashy production values and gripping narratives. For its effort to do something interesting with the combat system alone it's worth getting, especially when (to this very day) the genre largely leans on a basic, decades-old turn-based combat system. Fighting and navigating the game board can require strategy at times and so too can sinking your teeth into the tremendous amount of content in this game. While Grand Kingdom makes some strange game design choices at times, it remains mostly a breath of fresh air in a particularly formulaic genre.
For the patient, Grand Kingdom is very worthwhile stuff. As a debut, it proves that Monochrome Corporation is a talented development outfit, and this is one of the more original takes on the tactics genre that we've seen in recent years. The reliance on a specific online experience that is reminiscent of mobile games makes me almost wish I was playing this on iPad, but the sheer depth and breadth of content more than validate the premium price point.
Grand Kingdom is definitely a must-buy game for anyone looking for a new kind of strategy RPG.
Grand Kingdom is a highly addictive tactic based experience that blends both online and offline very well. While there are incentives to play online and obtain experience and equipment faster, the offline modes sport quests and manners in order to level or re-level troops as needed without worrying about that monthly bandwidth cap. Just make sure to log in once a day to climb the ladder of attendance rewards.
Grand Kingdom takes some time to get going, but once it does, it's a great tactical RPG.
If you're an RPG fan looking for something a little different, Grand Kingdom is definitely worth a look. I might be a huge fan of JRPGs, but I'm sympathetic to the way many role-players are turned off by the archaic systems and goofy stories often found in the category — but this is one title that has the potential to cross that boundary. Keeping the silly story to a minimum (and remaining humorous when it does spring up), the emphasis is on battling and building up your party members, loot stash and territory, which is something I think many gamers could find themselves sinking time into. On top of that, you won't find any tired "old-school" turn-based battles or lame button-mashy action-RPG combat here. Grand Kingdom's blend of board game-style map exploration and intriguing lane-based combat is something you won't find anywhere else on PS4, and that's really what makes it something to be savored.
Grand Kingdom is the best non-traditional role playing game I've played this year, and may even take a place on my end of the year list once I fully take in how outstanding it is. But right now, I'm doing things I couldn't have dreamed of being fun yet are, a common trademark of Grand Kingdom's incredible design.
Grand Kingdom is a JRPG that combines good tactic structure with a frantic, fun action. A great compromise for those who love the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The gameplay is simple yet complex in a way that forces players to think about long-term goals rather than individual battles, making Grand Kingdom a natural choice for people who prefer the "tactical" part over the "role-playing" part of tactical role-playing games.
Nearly everything is a little more unusual or complicated than your standard RPG, but it's familiarity means you pick things up as you go along
Turn-based role-playing mixed with real-time combos and complex battle systems from a variety of inspirations equals one unique SRPG.
Whether you prefer your RPGing in single-player, multiplayer, or both, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Grand Kingdom.
Grand Kingdom has a lot of really great ideas: its map setup, its use of obstacles to force you to think tactically, and its online integration are all great. But once you get past the game's second layer, it starts to plateau, which is disappointing. Whether it's more unique enemies, multi-layed class synergy, or more consequential online wars, Grand Kingdom feels like it's missing that little something extra. With that, I really hope there's a sequel. I'd hate to see all these great ideas go to waste.
The story might be forgettable, but Grand Kingdom's gameplay certainly is not. This is a game that features a refreshing and unique battle concept for a genre that can often feature formulaic combat, mixing its deep mechanics to bring a challenging, beautiful and inventive game that is a fascinating breath of fresh air for tactical RPGs.
If you embrace everything, Grand Kingdom is a cheerful, relaxing, thoughtful experience. Character design is beautiful, with a lot of variety and just enough animation to give even the blacksmiths some bounce and personality. You can take you time with the game. Dig through the menus, try different class combinations, and win your wars, one battle at a time.