Not as bad as it was stated in 1998
If some of you remember, there was a demo Cd in the PlayStation Magazine that introduced everyone to this game. This was in 1997, fresh from FF VII, where the RPG craze was beginning in both America and Europe; so everyone was expecting a lot from this game. Ultimately, it failed, since people's expectations were very high. However, what we have here is one of those underappreciated gems. Trust me, this is NOT a bad game.
Basically a action-RPG, GS is the first polygonal one in all of the PS1 history.
Graphically, it is a well-made game, for 1997/1998. People just hated the "no facial details", and slanted it. Animations are so-so, but the combat is fluid and fast. 7,5/10 for 1998 graphics.
The best part of the game is its sound (although the sound effects are very cheesy at given times), a masterpiece made by Kohei Tanaka and Masanori Hikichi. If you like Terranigma music, you can't dislike this. 8/10.
The gameplay can be a little awkward and repetitive, since combats are much the same: Slash, Slash, slash, defend, slash away. Nevertheless, it is still fun, as you can avoid pretty much most combats, and they always maintain your full attention. A 7/10, not a Zelda quality, but fun.
The history in the game is adequate, and isn't one of those "Dungeon - get item - get key item - useless dialogs - new dungeon" type of stories. The characters have some degree of depth, but not like FFVII (though still a lot better that Star Ocean II Claude's depth, that of a rock). The major flaw, is that it is too short, and the replay value is non-existent. Play it from time to time.
I'd say that in the end, the game is alright, not the best RPG on PS1, but not the worst. Buy it if you see it at 20$ or 20 Euros.