The Granstream Saga (グランストリーム伝記 Guransutorīmu Denki) is a 1997 Action RPG for the PlayStation. The game was developed by a team consisting of staff from the developer Quintet (under the name Shade), the developers of the SoulBlazer Thematic Series, which this game could be considered an oft-overlooked part of.
Tropes present in this game:
- Anti Anti Christ: Eon is the reincarnation of this world's Satanic Archetype, the "Mah Oh", from the previous version of the world. However, being adopted by the Old Hermit, he grows up good and just and defeats the current "Mah Oh".
- Anti-Grinding: Eon don't gain experience points by defeating enemies; instead, he level up automatically during certain events (some are optional).
- Amazing Technicolor Battlefield: Two of these. One is against the final boss, naturally, who is a sapient-can-comprehend-mortals Jerkass Eldritch Abomination, and earlier, in a Mad Scientist's castle. The battle is against his experimental world-ending giant creature, and you have to destroy its heart from inside. While you're fighting the heart blood vessels can be 'seen' transparently from above as if you're really looking down into the battlefield, and the entire room pulsates and shifts with his heartbeats. Both trippy and disorienting.
- The Blank: The in-game polygon character models lack faces.
- Bittersweet Ending: Eon prevented the continents from sinking and saved the world, but he also lost most of his friends, and also one of his two Love Interests.
- "Blind Idiot" Translation: In the overworld, Pikshim is listed as Pixim, and the last two continent names are also in caps for some reason. In the credits, Laremee's name is credited as Laramy.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Selela is brainwashed by Levante into staring a cult to worship him, and recruiting followers to the Imperial Army.
- Damsel in Distress: Exaggerated. Arcia and Laramee have to be rescued multiple times. Arcia is imprisoned twice before the third island; in Vulkos, Laramee falls into a lava cave and is poisoned. In the last island, a magic barrier makes them (and Gandor) lose their memories.
- Distress Ball: At the Kels hideout, Arcia interrupts the cult leader's speench because of a dissagrement and picks a fight with her. This results in Eon and Arcia, who are outnumbered, being made prisoners.
- Disc-One Final Boss: Even after Emperor Gudelzepher is defeated, Eon still has to face Deemar, the current host of Mah Oh.
- Dwindling Party: Every member of the Desbat pirates (except Laramee if you sacrificed Arcia) dies.
- Family-Unfriendly Death: In the last island, an imperial soldier has a change of heart and asks Eon to take out his armor. However, it explodes blowing his polygon model in many pieces across the room. That teaches Eon the magic spell Genocide.
- Giant Space Flea from Nowhere: Deemar, Mah Oh's current host and the game's final boss, is never mentioned before his first onscreen appearance, right as your quest was supposed to be over.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Exaggerated. Valos, Ziruas, Slayzer, Korky, Gandor and Airlim all sacrifice themselves at some point to help Eon. In the end, you have to make a Sadistic Choice and sacrifice the soul of either Arcia or Laramee to defeat the final boss.
- Hopeless Boss Fight: Subverted. Hergezod's barrier makes him invincible, but Ziruas sacrifice himself to dispel it, allowing Eon to defeat the boss.
- Infinity +1 Sword: Played with. Onimaru, an early found and missable sword found at the church's basement that has +250 ATK power. It's practically a cheat, because there are no justification (or in-story clue) at all regarding the existence of the weapon.
- Kick the Dog:
- Selela order her followers (who are disguised as Kel haters) to kill her son, so she can use him as a martyr.
- In Geltania, a soldier NPC is executed for defecting the Imperial Army.
- Last Disc Magic: Eon can learn the Granstream spell at the Imperial Fortress just before facing the penultimate boss.
- Literal Split Personality: Ziruas' desire to complete the creation of the Ultimate Life Form made him split into two beings, one good and one evil.
- Love Sacrificed for Power: A rare heroic example. Before being able to fight the Final Boss, Eon is faced with the Sadistic Choice to sacrifice the soul of one of his two Love Interests to power up the MacGuffin, as its power is equal to the feelings invested in it, and there is no way out of this choice.
- Magical Accessory: Eon's bracelet (called scepter in-game) has the power to restore and duplicate items (consumables and accessories in random, key items in segments where it's required), and teach him magic. During battles, it generates an Instant Armor from Eon's equipment to protect the wearer from danger.
- Multiple Endings: Two endings, depending of a Sadistic Choice choice you made just before the final battle.
- Point of No Return: Beating the Imperial Fortress prevents you from returning to the world map.
- The Power of Hate: According to Deemar, hatred fuels Mah Oh. Ziruge's hatred unknowingly summoned Mah Oh's spirit and it took over his body.
- The Power of Love: Before the final battle, Zeruge warns Eon that that only his true love can help him to defeat the final boss.
- Reincarnation: Eon is the reincarnation of Prince Zeruge; Arcia is the reincarnation of Princess Ellemera.
- Shower Scene: Laramee is seen taking a bath when first introduced.
- The Smurfette Principle: Laramee is the only female member of the Desbat Pirates.
- The Title Saga: The Granstream Saga. Granstream being a spell that you can learn at the penultimate dungeon.
- The Unfought: Slayzer. Despite being the closest thing to The Rival in this game, you never actually fight the guy.
- White Hair, Black Heart: Deemar, Mah Oh's host and final boss, has silver hair.
- Your Princess Is in Another Castle!: After restoring the four continents, defeating the emperor and sacrificing Airlim to restore the mainland, the sky suddenly turns dark and Eon is dragged to Hades, where he must defeat Deemar to save the world.
