The Granstream Saga is an action role-playing game developed by Shade and published by Sony Computer Entertainment (Japan) and THQ (North America and Europe).
Released for the PlayStation in 1997 (Japan) and 1998 (internationally), it is notable for being one of the first fully 3D action RPGs on the platform and for its unique artistic decision to portray all characters without facial features.
The game is set in a world where the surface has been flooded, forcing humanity to live on floating continents suspended by powerful magical engines.
The protagonist, Eon, is a young swordsman chosen by fate to save the world from destruction.
As he journeys across the continents to awaken the elemental guardians and restore balance, Eon uncovers dark secrets about the world’s history and his own origin.
The Granstream Saga features real-time combat, allowing players to move freely and engage enemies using timed sword strikes, blocking, and magical attacks.
Unlike turn-based RPGs of the time, battles occur in dedicated arenas without a traditional overworld map, offering a seamless transition between exploration and combat.
Weapon and armor upgrades play a key role in combat strategy, as does learning the movement patterns of enemies and bosses.
One of the game’s most distinctive features is its faceless character design, which gives it a stylized, almost theatrical presentation that stands out from its contemporaries.
Cutscenes are fully animated in 3D with voice acting, enhancing the cinematic storytelling experience.
The soundtrack, composed by Masanori Hikichi, contributes to the emotional atmosphere of the journey with its orchestral and ambient themes.
Though not a major commercial hit, The Granstream Saga is remembered for its bold artistic direction, heartfelt story, and its place as a spiritual successor to the SNES classic Terranigma.
It remains a hidden gem for fans of late 1990s action RPGs.
Technical Details:
- Developer: Shade (formerly Quintet staff)
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment (Japan), THQ (North America, Europe)
- Release Year: 1997 (Japan), 1998 (NA/EU)
- Platform(s): PlayStation
- Genre: Action Role-Playing Game (ARPG)
- Mode: Single-player
- Engine: Custom 3D engine developed by Shade
- Graphics: Fully 3D environments and characters, faceless character models
- Camera: Fixed-angle and cinematic dynamic views
- Input: PlayStation controller (digital input only)