With a release date now set for February 26, 2021, Square Enix has recently released a demo of Bravely Default 2, the newest installment in the Bravely Default series. Despite being the third entry in the series, producer Tomoya Asano stated that the second game, Bravely Second, didn't live up to fan expectations and the team decided to start fresh.
Switching platforms for the first time in series history (obviously due to technology moving forward), Bravely Default 2 will appear on the Nintendo Switch instead of the Nintendo 3DS. With the developer taking player feedback into account, Bravely Default 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated RPGs coming out next year, but both veterans and newcomers to the series will find plenty to love in this new iteration of the Bravely series.
Numbering Bravely Default, Bravely Second, and Bravely Default 2
For fans who have played both Bravely Default and Bravely Second, the naming structure for the newest game might be a little confusing. Bravely Default 2 will be the third entry into the series, but the developer considers it to be the true sequel. For context, while Bravely Default was a surprise hit in Japan and overseas, Bravely Second was criticized for feeling more like an expansion pack than an actual sequel. The original sold over a million copies, but on the other hand, Bravely Second topped out at 700,000 copies.
As a result of the critical and commercial underperformance, the developer found it difficult to continue the franchise. Following the release of the mobile game Bravely Default: Fairy's Effect and the successful Octopath Traveler, the developer decided to return to the series but with a fresh start. Square Enix doesn't disavow Bravely Second but Bravely Default 2 will represent the true successor to the original Bravely Default.
Bravely Second's Problems, Bravely Default 2's Advantages
One of the biggest problems with Bravely Second feeling like an expansion was its reliance on old characters, settings, and music. While there were improvements like the chain-battle feature and better side quests, Bravely Second suffered from reusing dungeons and a less compelling cast. The writing was criticized by fans and critics alike with some noting that its comedy and pop-culture references often broke immersion. For a series that found success on interesting characterizations and writing, Bravely Second felt like a regression at times.
For a lot of players and critics, Bravely Second seemed to misinterpret what made the original game so successful, relying heavily on familiar characters and rehashing too much of Bravely Default made the game feel unnecessary. However, Bravely Default 2 is a clean break from the series and brings together a brand new cast and storyline. Players who have missed out on previous games will not have to worry as Bravely Default 2 is set in a completely different world, ultimately meaning those interested don't have to play Bravely Default or Bravely Second before Bravely Default 2 (though it couldn't hurt to check out the original).
Recognizing the shortcomings of Bravely Second, producer Tomoya Asano promised to bring back elements of Bravely Default while creating a new story that both veterans and newcomers can enjoy. Players can expect callbacks and references to the previous games, but the story itself is completely self-contained.
Using Feedback and Lessons Learned From Bravely Second
Most importantly, it seems that the Bravely Default 2 developer wants to make it the best game that it can, as developers often do, but this includes applying the lessons it learned from Bravely Second's shortcomings and taking player feedback into consideration. Earlier in December, Square Enix released a five hour demo of Bravely Default 2. Taking player feedback from the first demo in March, the latest demo features changes such as difficulty options and a number of QoL fixes. After the release of the demos, surveys were sent to players and the feedback was used in the development of the main game.
Bringing back what made the original game so successful while acknowledging the importance of player feedback should make any fan of the series excited. With all of these changes in mind, Bravely Default 2 looks like the true successor to the first game that fans have been anticipating, but of course, time will tell.
Bravely Default 2 releases February 26, 2021 for Nintendo Switch