is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts for the Game Boy Color handheld system as part of their Grandia series. Published by Hudson Soft and released exclusively in Japan in December 2000, the game is a spin-off of the first Grandia title, and features characters, music, and a similar battle system to the original. Unlike its predecessor, Parallel Trippers is presented using entirely two-dimensional graphics and character sprites, with combat sequences that take place from first-person perspective that utilize "Synthesis Cards" instead of direct actions. New features include a database of all possible combat actions, as well a monster and character catalog that fills as the player progresses through the game.
The game follows Yuuhi, a young boy living in Japan who is transported along with his friends Mizuki and Shirou to an alternate version of the Grandia world populated by characters from the original video game. Players must guide Yuuhi around numerous environments to re-unite with his friends and discover a way home.
Gameplay
left|thumb|Dialogue scene between Yuuhi and Sue from the original [[Grandia (video game)|Grandia]]
Grandia: Parallel Trippers is a traditional role-playing video game that is presented using two-dimensional graphics and character sprites and is presented using an overhead perspective. Players must guide the main character Yuuhi through a number of environments containing non-player characters, enemy monsters, traps, and puzzles that must be overcome in order to advance. Treasure chests containing beneficial items such as healing herbs and equipment are scattered throughout each area, in addition to hidden items that must be found by searching certain objects. Like the original Grandia, enemies in Parallel Trippers are visible on the map screen, and are only engaged when a player comes in contact with one. Game Arts president Hirokazu Miyazki explained that the game was created to make a Grandia that users could "play anywhere", and was designed under the philosophy that both new and veteran fans of the series could enjoy the title equally. Hudson Soft was personally chosen by Game Arts as the game's publisher due to their experience with handheld titles and enthusiasm in marketing the game to Japanese audiences. and again at the 2000 Tokyo Game Show in September, where the game received its final release date. Following the game's release, Huson Soft launched its "Grandia Nippo" (lit. "Grandia Daily") website that featured fan art, interviews, and special downloads related to Parallel Trippers in order to increase enthusiasm for the game. The music for Parallel Trippers consists of downsampled versions of tracks from the original Grandia, originally composed by Noriyuki Iwadare.
Reception
Japanese response to Grandia: Parallel Trippers was mild, with Weekly Famitsu magazine granting the game a 24 out of 40 score. The website additionally felt that Parallel Trippers was too loosely associated with the original, adding that it was "really only Grandia in characters, since the game doesn't look a thing like the Grandia you've played on the 32-bit consoles."