Bravely Default 2 has finally arrived on the Switch, serving as the sequel to 2012's Bravely Default on the Nintendo Switch. For the uninitiated, the Bravely Default franchise harkens back to the classic days of JRPG, featuring turn-based battles, gorgeous visuals, and deep storytelling.
It is worth noting that Bravely Default 2 isn't dramatically different than its predecessors, which is a good thing for fans of the first game and its expansion called Bravely Second. Now, for those who have just picked up Bravely Default 2, here are some spoiler-free tips to help players make the most of their first playthrough on the continent of Excillant.
Bravely Default 2's Story Stand On Its Own
For those who are worried about getting into Bravely Default 2 without first playing Bravely Default and Bravely Second, it is worth noting that while the latest game is branded as a sequel, its story, events, characters, and locations are not related to the first two games. Given this, Bravely Default 2 allows newcomers to experience the classic gameplay of the franchise with new characters, mechanics, and a fresh story. Bravely Default 2 follows four main characters; the young sailor named Seth, Gloria the refugee princess, a traveling scholar named Elvis, and a mercenary named Adelle.
Find a Balance Between Brave and Default
The core mechanics of Bravely Default are bravely and defaulting, which its title heavily implies. Braving grants players an advantage in combat by allowing them to attack enemies multiple times. On the other hand, defaulting is a defensive move where the player character won't make any maneuver during their turn to store an action point.
However, one important thing to note is that players cannot simply brave and default, given that they can only attack if they have 0 or at least one brave point. This means that if the player spams brave initially, they may not have enough action points to win the battle. One important thing to consider is finding the perfect balance between braving and defaulting. This could prove tricky as players progress through the game where enemies are much stronger and have varying abilities.
Monsters Can Now Interact With You
Unlike the first Bravely Default game, Bravely Default 2 ditches random encounters where players could bump into enemies on the map or inside a dungeon. Instead, players will now be able to see enemies and initiate an encounter by bumping into monsters. However, one thing players should consider is that monsters can touch them from behind, which will automatically initiate a battle with extra brave points to use against the player. However, if the player is at a high enough level, monsters would flee from them, which is why it is always a good idea to ensure that the party is strong enough before venturing into particular dungeons.
Exploration Is A Must
One of the joys of playing a modern JRPG is the ability to explore bigger worlds compared to games of the past. Unsurprisingly, many of Bravely Default 2's positive reviews revolve around the vast open-world environment allowing players to explore to their heart's content. Each part of the game is anchored in a major city surrounded by dungeons and forests. In Bravely Default 2, players can wander around the world, find chests containing valuable items, and encounter wild monsters. Of course, some may opt to skip unnecessary exploration to finish the game's story as fast as possible. However, players who do this will certainly miss out on the wonderful open-world Bravely Default 2 has to offer.
Embrace the Grind
Given that Bravely Default 2 includes many classic JRPG game features, players should accept before purchasing the 60-hour long game that there will be a considerable amount of grinding. In Bravely Default 2, players can either explore dungeons and outlying areas to encounter enemies, or they can utilize monster bait to make grinding less arduous. Of course, all of this monster killing would give players experience, gold, job points, and loot, which are necessary to progress through the game. Grinding to reach maximum level is certainly a must in Bravely Default 2, given that battles cannot be turned off. Still, weaker enemies will run away from the player provided that they meet certain attributes.
Bravely Default 2 is out now for the Nintendo Switch.