Saying Grandia is one of the best RPGs of it's time is, as the old adage goes, like winning a medal in the special olympics. In the young days of the internet, it held a hallowed place, it's glories whispered among the nerds like magic secrets. The truth is that it is AS DUMB as it's contemporaries, but it has a better battle system. Spoonful of sugar helps the shit go down!
If you're starved for a JRPG, go for it. But it's not magical, it is very, very obvious.