Granbo (Cross-platform, 2001)

Release date: Friday 28th December 2001

Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Wii U

Published by: CAPCOM

Developed by: CAPCOM

Genres: RPG

Story Drive📖 15/20
Accessibility🚪 14/20
Depth🤿 12/20
Challenge💀 8/20
Duration⌛ 12/20
Freedom🌎 14/20
Review Scores
7xDB9
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 7
When reviewing Granbo, the first thing that inevitably comes to mind is Pokémon, to the point I strongly believe there should be a genre called "Pokémon-like". Granbo arrived much earlier than Pokémon to the new generation of handheld consoles - about a year earlier. Did the fellers at CAPCOM try to accomplish new feats in this leap between generations? Well, they most certainly did. In terms of graphics and the overall technical aspects of the game, there is a jump of scope to achieve a quality increase. There were also other challenges such as creating a game with its own mechanics and charisma which, regardless of whether it paned out, there certainly was an intention to be different and innovative.
The Flair: D
As discussed above, the title tried to achieve a quality jump in graphics and overall technical capabilities compared to the older generation, and with great success. In fact, we believe it's one of the game's greatest strengths; how beautiful and detailed the game looks, especially during battles. The original soundtrack also deserves a lot of credit, although for the most part it sounds a lot as recycled themes from other RPG titles, and cannot compete with the greatness of Pokémon in those terms.
The Feel: B
The gameplay also resembles Pokémon in many ways, but its signature mechanics are generally quite good and feel refreshing. For instance, the amount of creatures battling and how many you can carry, as well as evolutions and hunting... It's all very solid and fun to play, although hunting may be a bit too tedious. There are obviously many other mechanics that totally resemble its counterpart and some are better delivered than others.
The Fuel: 9
In terms of content is where the game shows its weakest side. The creatures' roster, although large in size, feels a bit repetitive and uninspired. On the other hand neither the story and its main characters nor the world and locations presented by the game are particularly interesting or memorable, quite the opposite in fact. All the game's content feels just as a mediocre filler for a great carcass.
Solid
74
Classic Score
Conclusions
As much as we appreciate a title that introduces new and refreshing approaches to such a revisited formula, it usually serves to make us appreciate how ridiculously good the early Pokémon games really were. In the case of Granbo, while it may not nail every single aspect it should, it's certainly a solid title that's worth visiting, especially if you crave new and interesting ways to experience this subgenre.
Granbo
Granbo (Cross-platform, 2001)
Badge Cabinet
Release date: Friday 28th December 2001
Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Wii U
Published by: CAPCOM
Developed by: CAPCOM
Genres: RPG
Trait Chart
Story Drive 📖 15/20
Accessibility 🚪 14/20
Depth 🤿 12/20
Challenge 💀 8/20
Duration ⌛ 12/20
Freedom 🌎 14/20
Review Scores
7xDB9
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 7
When reviewing Granbo, the first thing that inevitably comes to mind is Pokémon, to the point I strongly believe there should be a genre called "Pokémon-like". Granbo arrived much earlier than Pokémon to the new generation of handheld consoles - about a year earlier. Did the fellers at CAPCOM try to accomplish new feats in this leap between generations? Well, they most certainly did. In terms of graphics and the overall technical aspects of the game, there is a jump of scope to achieve a quality increase. There were also other challenges such as creating a game with its own mechanics and charisma which, regardless of whether it paned out, there certainly was an intention to be different and innovative.
The Flair: D
As discussed above, the title tried to achieve a quality jump in graphics and overall technical capabilities compared to the older generation, and with great success. In fact, we believe it's one of the game's greatest strengths; how beautiful and detailed the game looks, especially during battles. The original soundtrack also deserves a lot of credit, although for the most part it sounds a lot as recycled themes from other RPG titles, and cannot compete with the greatness of Pokémon in those terms.
The Feel: B
The gameplay also resembles Pokémon in many ways, but its signature mechanics are generally quite good and feel refreshing. For instance, the amount of creatures battling and how many you can carry, as well as evolutions and hunting... It's all very solid and fun to play, although hunting may be a bit too tedious. There are obviously many other mechanics that totally resemble its counterpart and some are better delivered than others.
The Fuel: 9
In terms of content is where the game shows its weakest side. The creatures' roster, although large in size, feels a bit repetitive and uninspired. On the other hand neither the story and its main characters nor the world and locations presented by the game are particularly interesting or memorable, quite the opposite in fact. All the game's content feels just as a mediocre filler for a great carcass.
Conclusions

As much as we appreciate a title that introduces new and refreshing approaches to such a revisited formula, it usually serves to make us appreciate how ridiculously good the early Pokémon games really were. In the case of Granbo, while it may not nail every single aspect it should, it's certainly a solid title that's worth visiting, especially if you crave new and interesting ways to experience this subgenre.

Solid
74
Classic Score