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Square Enix, a veteran in the Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) genre, has delivered another compelling entry with Bravely Default 2. Despite recent stumbles, the company demonstrates its enduring JRPG prowess with this charming Nintendo Switch exclusive, blending traditional elements with innovative mechanics. This review explores Bravely Default 2‘s strengths and minor shortcomings, assessing its place in the modern JRPG landscape.

Bravely Default 2 was released on February 26, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch. Following a mixed reception to its demo, Square Enix diligently addressed fan feedback, resulting in a polished and engaging final product.

A Nostalgic Yet Refined Experience

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Bravely Default 2 presents a classic JRPG narrative: four heroes embark on a quest to collect four elemental crystals and save the world from destruction. While seemingly simple, the straightforward plot allows players to focus on the game’s intricate battle system and meticulously crafted world.

The party consists of Seth, the amnesiac protagonist, Gloria, a displaced princess, Elvis, a quirky aristocrat, and Adelle, a cheerful mercenary. While Seth’s character is somewhat archetypal, the supporting cast and NPCs are well-developed, their personalities shining through dialogue and story interactions.

Gameplay retains traditional JRPG elements, requiring exploration through towns and dungeons to complete quests, discover hidden treasures, and level up. The environments are thoughtfully designed, offering a satisfying balance of exploration and challenge. Hidden items, secret passages, and time-sensitive events evoke nostalgia for classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy VIII and The Legend of Dragoon.

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Bravely Default 2 streamlines some traditional JRPG conventions. Instead of random encounters, enemies are visible on the map, allowing players to choose their battles strategically. This adds a layer of tactical depth, letting players engage in preemptive strikes or avoid weaker foes.

Engaging and Strategic Combat

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Bravely Default 2’s combat system elevates the turn-based formula. The Brave/Default mechanic adds a unique layer of strategy. Defaulting allows characters to defend, reduce damage, and store Brave Points (BP) for later use. Brave allows characters to spend BP to take multiple actions in a single turn, potentially unleashing devastating combos. This system demands careful planning and an understanding of enemy behavior and turn order.

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Defeating bosses unlocks new jobs, allowing players to customize their party’s roles and abilities. Each character can equip two jobs simultaneously, combining skills and passive abilities for diverse builds. Boss battles are particularly engaging, requiring adaptation and strategy to overcome their unique mechanics and high stats.

Visual and Audio Design

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Bravely Default 2 boasts charming visuals, moving beyond the chibi style of its predecessors. Character designs effectively convey personality, and the diverse job costumes add visual flair. Environments are detailed and evocative, creating a memorable backdrop for the adventure.

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Enemy designs are particularly noteworthy, showcasing a wide range of imaginative creatures. While the soundtrack is serviceable, the voice acting, available in both English and Japanese, is excellent, adding depth to the characters.

Minor Drawbacks

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Despite its overall polish, Bravely Default 2 has a few minor issues. The graphical quality suffers in handheld mode, with noticeable jagged edges. Some in-game actions, like opening the party chat or accessing menus, feel sluggish. Finally, the static nature of character animations during combat, especially when using the fast-forward feature, can appear awkward.

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Conclusion

Bravely Default 2 successfully blends classic JRPG elements with modern refinements. The engaging combat, charming visuals, and well-developed world create a compelling experience. Despite minor technical hiccups, Bravely Default 2 stands as a testament to Square Enix’s enduring JRPG mastery and a must-play for fans of the genre.