In the analysis of Bravely Default 2 we tell you how this RPG with a long-awaited classic flavor has turned out on Nintendo Switch. Does it live up to the rest of the saga? And of other similar exponents in the hybrid console of Nintendo? So is this spiritual heir to the most classic Final Fantasy.
There are many ways to make an RPG. The one that Team Asano has defended has been a very classic one, based on the traditional bases of the Final Fantasy saga . It’s not bad, but you have to keep it in mind when we talk about their productions. When the Japanese studio proposed the creation of the first Bravely Default , it was done thinking that it would be a thematic and playable continuation of Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light . Of course, new features were introduced along the way, mainly due to the mechanics that give the game its name: brave and default.
The new license devised by Tomoya Asano was intended to be something new, but without straying from the roots of the popular Square Enix series. That is the essence, and this is how we better explain what we have in Bravely Default 2 , which is nothing more than a sequel framed in a J-RPG style of making that sometimes seems to fade . The most purists would say that it is more RPG than all the RPGs that are currently out. And by that I mean both a classic and predictable plot, and a game system strongly supported in turns and the need to level up.
You must take it into consideration: if you are looking for a modern RPG, this is an option that will not fit your tastes. It is more like Octopath Traveler and World of Final Fantasy in this regard, although I have to say that I personally did not end up liking it as much as those. One felt that it had a better plot, characters and development, while the other performed a talented exercise of introspection in the more classic J-RPG. For me, Bravely Default 2 falls in the middle. Neither stands out in the narrative, nor in the playable it has seemed an outstanding title. But he manages all the hours it lasts, which is not little. I tell you everything, in detail, in the analysis.
Bravely Default 2, in search of the most classic J-RPG
One of Asano’s goals in creating the first Bravely Default was to convey familiarity to regular players of the Final Fantasy franchise. How to do it? Basically, keeping certain narrative and playable keys. In other words: a world based on the power of crystals and heroes of light , as well as a turn-based combat system featuring the iconic job system. With those two things you already have a simple but useful definition … and also Bravely Default 2 continues to fit precisely that.
The 2D settings are simply an artistic marvel.
In the adventure we accompany Seth, a young sailor who is shipwrecked to a remote place (Excillant) after suffering a storm: a classic. The set of clichés is completed with a princess to help, an old man who will teach us an important lesson and a group of friends who will join the cause to face terrible villains. Light against darkness in a well-constructed plot, but that has not been stimulating . I gave a vote of confidence in playable prints from a few weeks ago, but I have to say that I have found a generic narrative, which was less with the passing of the hours. I’m not going to deny it: this is a very negative aspect for any RPG. A good plot always helps to keep exploring and fighting, but it has not been the case. Sometimes I was tempted to skip the dialogues, often bland and inconsequential. I think they are designed to connect with the characters, although in my case they had the opposite effect.
On a positive side, I have to say that the Spanish translation is quite careful . The texts are followed very well, although when reaching certain regions the localization work takes some licenses that can make reading difficult (and make it somewhat cumbersome). The voices are in English and Japanese, the latter being a good option for the loudness of the conversations, which made me more pleasant.
The plot of Bravely Default, despite being well constructed, has not been at all stimulatingBasically, we should think of Bravely Default 2 as a compendium of dialogue, exploration and combat. Personally, one of the things that I liked the most was getting lost in the gaming world. You can find treasures and lost places from the hand of God. The feeling of discovery is important, and although the title can also be improved in this regard, I have wanted to go through open fields and dungeons to discover their secrets . Of course, this included encountering enemies, which is critical to advancing the game.
If you wanted a smooth RPG where everything went smoothly, turn around. This is about fighting hard, leveling up, and spending time improving your gear. The game has a difficulty selector (easy, medium and hard), but even then you will not be spared doing everything that needs to be done in a classic role-playing game. Each time you reach a new section of the adventure, you will find that you are not ready, and you will be forced to farm in dozens of battles. All before re-introducing yourself to the enemies that prevent you from progressing through the plot. Today’s RPGs minimize these peaks of challenge, but you see that in this case everything is old-fashioned.
If you wanted a fluid RPG in which everything went smoothly, turn aroundIntroducing faster contests can create false expectations about the accessibility of the game. You can multiply the speed of the fights several times (up to 4x). That makes the game more fluid and bearable – otherwise it would be an ordeal – but it doesn’t mean that you have to think carefully about your next move. In fact, Bravely Default 2 is very tactical. There are bouts of pure paperwork, but others require you to stop and think about your next move.
This is mainly due to the default and brave mechanics . The first makes you protect yourself against rival attacks and accumulate turns. The second unleashes your full strength in several consecutive attacks. Because enemies use the same scheme, the key is knowing when to take advantage of one or the other command. Of course, all this is combined with the use of attacks with swords, axes, bows, spears and a long etcetera. Each enemy has a certain weakness, also against the elements, such as ice or fire.
The importance of jobs in Bravely Default 2
Get ready, because hundreds of fights await you. Levear is key.
In the simplest confrontations it is enough to use brute force, but in certain sections (especially the final bosses) things change. It is in these moments when it matters a lot to establish a balanced team . A group consisting of only warriors or only wizards will not go anywhere. His thing is to assign different jobs to your characters. The white magician is important because he has the ability to heal others. The black magician has a devastating magic attack. The guard acts as a typical “tank” that draws enemy blows. The thief dodges attacks very well and steals objects. The handler tames beasts to lead them against rivals. The bard plays ballads that enhance the group’s attributes. And so on a considerable etcetera.
Controlling inventory is crucial, a classic RPG.
I have been satisfied with the present works . They are numerous, varied and allow the creation of very heterogeneous groups. Besides, you can change jobs at any time … or assign a secondary job to combine talents. The jobs have an experience level independent of that of each character, so that experimentation is encouraged (the higher the level, the more skills). In short, the jobs are one of the best things in the game, and are given by the plot. As we progress, we will run into characters in possession of the asterisks, special objects that give access to these jobs. In essence, you will face the jobs before you get hold of their powers. The idea behind the works is good and it works very well in combat. However, I would have appreciated more innovation on the combative plane . The only thing that has been new to me is the special attack that our protagonist can perform on certain occasions. When activated, we not only launch a devastating offensive, but a melody begins to play that, while it lasts, enhances certain attributes of our group. More stuff like that would have come in handy for a fairly flat battle scheme.
I think Team Asano should have taken care of the progression. As the hours passed, I felt more exhausted. For me, Bravely Default 2 does not have battles so interesting as to sustain such a long game . In fact, I appreciated the fact that the enemies ran away from me in the mapping (they do when you have a much higher level). And a tip: if you play it, remember to save game. Carrying tents in the inventory would tell you that it is almost an obligation so that your progress is safe in the face of unforeseen situations. That, along with carrying enough healing objects and visiting the inns frequently, become fundamental actions to face the challenges presented by this classic RPG.
It is such a classic game that it is also low riskDoes all this catch your attention? Then go ahead. It’s not the best RPG I’ve come across, and on the Nintendo Switch itself there are better proposals, but it’s not bad. After all, you have interesting ideas. One of them is that you can carry out expeditions that consist in that when you put the console on standby, and turn it on again the next day, you will see that your character has earned objects that allow you to increase the experience level. If you also keep the console connected to the Internet, the rewards will be greater. As they say: any help is little. Additionally, certain characters challenge us to card games based on territorial dominance. It is not too remarkable, but I at least appreciate the effort to offer something different.
My conclusion about Bravely Default 2 is that it is such a classic game, that it is also low risk, and therefore too anchored in the past. Other games bet on this perspective, but I think that exponents like Octopath Traveler or World of Final Fantasy did better. In any case, it is still an interesting game, with more than decent production values, especially in its artistic and sound section. The latter is magnified by some songs composed by Revo, Japanese composer specializing in fantasy and fairy tale themes. I’m not lying if I say I was looking forward to reaching each new town just to appreciate the soundtrack, as well as the art of the environments. The artworks are shown as they were conceived on paper, giving rise to beautiful scenes, some of which I keep in my mind while I write this analysis. And while 2D design looks wonderful to me , I can’t say the same for 3D graphics. It gives me the feeling that the characters lose personality and the scenarios suffer from a lack of detail when they are captured in a three-dimensional plane.
The translation takes certain licenses, although some ideas sometimes hinder the reading.
Paradoxically, in terms of hardware performance , Nintendo Switch does not move the video game quite well. I have noticed some (inexplicable) slowdowns at certain points in the game. Nothing worrisome, but strange that something like that happens. There is also room for improvement in the loading times, which can hinder the rhythm of the action. I can’t complain about the performance in laptop mode: it looks good and I haven’t noticed any performance problems. It is not the most portable game, but it is always good to be able to take a game with you anywhere with such many hours. Of course, if what you are looking for is duration, Bravely Default 2 is a safe bet.
“A bittersweet sensation”
Bravely Default II
Bravely Default 2 is a good RPG, but not enough to recommend it blindly. The plot is very important in these video games, but Team Asano has built a story that is not very stimulating. Outside of the artistic and musical, where the game shines with strong intensity, the only thing that stands out is the fighting, but even there it does not propose the necessary renovation that a new title in the saga required. Meet, as in exploration and progression, with a constant challenge. However, it tastes little. Team Asano has played it safe with a very classic RPG that does not surprise, and thus can not be up to the greats. A bittersweet feeling, because despite being a remarkable game, the opportunity to go further has been lost.
5 things you should know:
- Very classic in all its aspects, with inspirations in classic Final Fantasy.
- The narrative continues well, but it is very cliché and the worst thing is that it does not engage.
- Solid combat system, supported by considerable tactical depth.
- It does not innovate practically in any section. Play it safe, without taking risks.
- Excellent artistic and musical sections: an absolute delight.
