Although none of the polygon characters have faces (the result is somehow both ridiculous and disturbing), its various towns, dungeons and airships all look very pretty. But unfortunately The Granstream Saga is also just a little bit dull.

Basically, it's a no-brain-required, linear adventure that makes you feel like you're watching a cartoon where you have to constantly press a button to keep it moving. There are no puzzles to speak of, little element of choice involved about what you might do next in the game, and no chance to explore fully any of the places you find yourself in.

In other words, all the fun is missing. And though you can have conversations with a host of the game's denizens, you certainly can't claim to be able to interact with any of them in a meaningful way. 'Talking' merely consists of constantly jabbing the X button and reading reams and reams of corny text.

The combat, when it comes, is a blessed relief because, although it's hardly scintillating or groundbreaking (more X button-jabbing), at least some of baddies are quite hard - and at least you feel as if you're actually playing a PlayStation game.

By now you'll have realised that this is no Final Fantasy VIII: those people waiting for that must bide their time a little longer. In the meantime, everyone, including any RPG virgins, should be warned that there is more chance of falling asleep playing The Granstream Saga than of falling off the edge of one of its mythical continents.