Review: Bravely Default II
If there is one genre of gaming I absolutely love its JRPGs (Japanese Role Playing Games). The classic versions of these games were long, difficult, turn-based sagas that challenged players while simultaneously rewarding those who stuck it out for the long haul. While games in this genre have changed over time, there are the occasional releases which embrace the roots of what made these types of games so popular. Bravely Default II, recently released for the Nintendo Switch console and developed by Square Enix, serves as a return to form for JRPGs. Its easily over 50 hours long (just the main story), it’s incredibly difficult for those who fail to strategize or ignore its central gameplay elements, and it’s incredibly addicting. From the moment I started playing I could barely put the controller down. (At this point I’ve racked up nearly 85 hours of playtime with just a few side quests left before the game is one hundred percent completed).
Image: Square Enix via IGN.com
While the game begins in typical JRPG fashion with a great evil being revealed and four warriors of light assembling after being chosen by the four element crystals, the story is difficult to predict. Emotionally this game isn’t afraid to punch you right in the gut and kill off characters in ways that make you question your party’s (and by extension your own) actions. It creates an investment in the story for many players and serves as a form of motivation when you encounter an especially frustrating or difficult boss fight.
In terms of gameplay, Bravely Default II will feel familiar to anyone who has played Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy X-2, or any previous title in the Bravely Default series. It features a robust job class system in which your characters level up and gain stats and special abilities based on specific classes/occupations. These are complimented by the series’ trademark battle mechanics. First is the option to “brave” or to use up to three of your future turns in order to take multiple actions right away. Second is the ability to “default” or to give up your current turn in order to store extra turns to be used later.
I can’t say much else because I would hate to spoil the game or its story for curious players. I recommend the game to any hardcore JRPG fans and advise a healthy amount of caution for more casual gamers. I would highly recommend more casual players utilize an online strategy guide for boss fights, as these can be incredibly unforgiving at times. My second piece of advice is to level up as many job classes with as many of your characters as you can. The more variety and options you have, the easier your experience will be. All in all, it’s a new twist on the classic JRPG formula and it’s worth checking out for the story alone.
Bravely Default II Final Rating: 9/10