Despite the fact that the original Bravely Default game got a sequel, Bravely Second, this game was called Bravely Default II. It’s almost as confusing as when Final Fantasy games were named out of order from Japan, like how the West got the sixth game as the third.
Whether one recognizes Bravely Second as a full-on sequel or a spinoff doesn’t matter. What does is the fact that it has been five years since fans have seen this series. Many thought it was dead but low and behold Square Enix revived it. There are good and bad things about its resurrection, so let’s get to the nitty-gritty on whether or not the wait was worth it.
10 Best: Job System
There is nothing like a good job system in an RPG to get players hooked from the start. Square Enix has some of the best systems thanks to both the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy series. In this franchise, Jobs are formed through Asterisks, which are usually acquired after boss battles. There are typical Jobs in this game like White and Black Mages along with more obscure Jobs like the Pictomancer.
9 Worst: Weight System
One addition to this sequel that will be met with mixed reviews in regard to the Job system will involve equipment. Gear now has weight and one cannot simply max out a Job with the best gear.
Players now have to be tactically aware of what they are putting on like they outfitting a mech from one of Square Enix’s other franchises, Front Mission. Hindering players for carrying a million guns in something like Fallout 4 makes sense, but in this game, it feels too archaic.
8 Best: Music
While not quite reaching the heights of those other aforementioned Square Enix titles, or the first Bravely Default, this game still has some killer music. From the slapping battle themes, to even some of the town music, all of it sounds great. The best part about the music is how it can dynamically change in battle if a Special is used. It’s intoxicating to the ears and it’s also a great way to let players know that buffs are in place.
7 Worst: Looks Like A Remastered PS1 Game
If one were to pop this in without knowing anything of this series, they may think Bravely Default II is a remaster from the PS1. The PC to PS4 conversion of Final Fantasy VII, for example, had HD remastered models running around environments that were basically JPEGs. While the watercolor background of towns and other locations look pretty in this game, they look jarring next to the 3D models. Either the models should have been more artistically drawn, or the backgrounds should have been fully rendered in 3D.
6 Best: Story Archive
Standard for many Square Enix games, like Final Fantasy, or Kingdom Hearts, there is a story log in the game. From important cinematics to chats with the party, everything is saved. This makes it easy for fans to go back and revisit their favorite story moments whenever they want without having to resort to YouTube, crossing their fingers no one is talking over them. They could be labeled better in the game and loading can be painful at times, but it’s good they are there at least.
5 Worst: Quests
If one is hoping to get any sort of reward from a side quest in this game be it tangible, or in the form of a good story, look somewhere else. The rewards are often not that good for about three-fourths of the time. They are also very easy to accomplish as they are simple fetch quests without much context. Square Enix should add experience bonuses to them just to make these side quests a little more appealing.
4 Best: Sailing
The one side quest that is recommended is the first. Players will help an old woman with her boat. Once they do she allows them to set sail on expeditions that play out by themselves. Players can do this by activating the quest at her agencies and then putting their Switch to sleep. It is a good idea to do this every night before bed. Then, once players get up, they can check their progress. It’s like having Christmas every day in Bravely Default II.
3 Worst: The Map System
RPGs, especially Square Enix games, usually have great maps. This game does not. All players can do on the world map is blow it up a small portion of the screen which is better than nothing. There is a bigger map in the Travelogue, but it’s more for show rather than use. What’s more annoying for players is the fact dungeons don’t have maps. That makes no sense at all seeing as they are set up like mazes.
2 Best: Fearful Monsters
If a player’s party is too powerful for a certain set of monsters running around a dungeon, or on the world map, they will run away. Alternatively, if they are stronger than they party they will seek players out. There are ways for players to repel monsters with items too, but it’s nice that there is a free way of doing this as well.
It is also a handy tip to level up high enough in an area until every enemy around is afraid. That’s how one can tell it is boss time.
1 Worst: No Auto-Battle
One of the best things about the battle system is that it allows players to speed things up by two, three, or four times at max. The one thing missing that would be like a sweet cherry on top is the option for auto-battling. Not all, but many modern turn-based RPGs allow for this function. There are ways to make it easier to click through menus on repeat in this game, thus saving time, but it isn’t quite the same thing.