Bravely Default 2 Reviews
Bravely Default 2 is what you're looking for if you're on the hunt for an extremely traditional yet (at times) punishing JRPG, both on the go and at home.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Without straying too far from the formula set by its predecessors, Bravely Default II proves there's still life left in old-school JRPG ideals with challenging and addictive combat and some beautiful sights and sounds. Its punishing nature might put some players off, but the satisfaction of mastering its systems is well worth the time and effort.
There is a ton to see and do in Bravely Default II, and it definitely lives up to the original games in all aspects. Things really open up in the final chapter and that's when the variety really shines brightest. Without a doubt, fans of jRPGs will find plenty to enjoy. Performance issues will pop up now and again, in both handheld and docked, however they're not glaringly prohibitive due to the turn-based nature of the game. More a minor annoyance on the eyes. Still the pros far outweigh the cons to create a genuinely fun overall experience suitable for a great range of people.
The overarching plot may be very standard for what long time JRPG fans are used to, but the thoughtful gameplay and the strong characters carry the experience. Bravely Default II is worthy to carry the torch left by Final Fantasy, and hopefully future installments will further refine itself and become even greater.
Clearly, Bravely Default II is not without its flaws. A wonderful art style, delightful OST and intriguing storyline can only go so far, especially when technical glitches, odd UI mechanics and dungeon crawling make up most of the RPG. There is an element of frustration here too, where fans of the franchise may feel less compelled to sink 80+ hours into a game that feels somewhat off key. So, while it doesn’t quite reach the glorious heights of Bravely Second, Bravely Default II unfolds as a decent third entry to the series with enjoyable, albeit chilling, twists and turns.
Bravely Default 2 on the Switch is a competent JRPG that doesn't really try anything new, but it does everything so well that it doesn't even matter.
Ultimately, Bravely Default 2 is a solid RPG that harkens back to Square Enix's first steps in the genre. Fans and newcomers alike are quite sure to discover a hearty and satisfying offering of exploration, questing, turn-based combat, and endearing story beats. Now, I get to move on to the real post game: guessing what the next game in the series will be called.
Bravely Default 2 is a decent JRPG cut from the same cloth as its inspirators. The combat is undeniably addictive, but its old-school sensibilities see it occasionally suffer from poor pacing and frustrating periods of grind.
Bravely Default II is unnecessary sequel to the generic Bravely series. It has nothing similar with the classic jRPGs - one thing it can offer is mindless grind over mindless grind mixed with boring story. If you have time for games, better spent it playing something else.
Review in Russian | Read full review
All in all, Bravely Default II is a game that chose to play it safe. It offers few surprises or twists, but it does offer one of the most excellent and enjoyable JRPG experiences on the Nintendo Switch. Whatever the story lacks, the gameplay more than makes up for, and I was delighted to advance and find what new jobs I was going to get. It's well worth the money for any Final Fantasy fan or anyone looking for an old-school JRPG. We have to hope that for the next game, the developers decide to go for Brave instead of Default when it comes to the story and setting.
If you’re a fan of old-fashioned RPGs and aren’t turned off by the idea of grinding for hours on end in order to overcome the latest big bad, chances are you’ll quickly become besotted by Bravely Default II.
Four heroes against danger and it is good idea to join their quest.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
In many ways, it's a highly metafictional thesis that explores what people love about JRPGs, and what is genuinely important to the genre. In doing so the game has become this wonderfully nuanced, beautiful, entertaining and emotive experience, and in my book, that makes it a masterpiece.
The wait for Bravely Default II has been long and hard, but now that it is finally here it convinces with high quality graphics, storytelling, gameplay and sound. While this title is not without flaws, these are minor compared to the overall excellence of this title. A joy to play at home on the big screen or on the go, this title is a great addition to any turn-based RPG fan's library.
Fans of the Bravely series will have a blast with Bravely Default II. It may not stray far from its predecessors but it does deliver another thoroughly enjoyable journey with updated graphics and a whole new story with loveable characters.
Bravely Default II is a treat for old-school JRPG fans.
While Bravely Default II lacks vital components necessary to make it a must-have experience, it still provides an engaging loop for fans of traditional JRPGs.
Taken as a whole, Bravely Default II plays like the 3D remake of a 16-bit JRPG that never existed, but it misses something important. Games like Pillars of Eternity and Streets of Rage 4 play the way fans remember games of the genre playing, and memory has a way of editing out the annoying bits. Bravely Default II does not. It's aggressively grind-heavy and repetitive in precisely the ways that the games that inspired it often were. The battles are not interesting enough to make the leveling process anything but a necessary evil for those hoping to keep pace with the game's challenges. At 60+ hours long, it will test all but the most dedicated retro JRPG game lover's patience. If you are such a dedicated JRPG fan, you will undoubtedly find a lot to enjoy and appreciate in Bravely Default II. If you're not, Bravely Default II will do little to make you a believer.
Bravely Default II did not have a great reception in its day. This PC version, in addition to demonstrating once again how well the JRPG genre performs in compatible, reminds us of the outstanding game that is the work of Claytechworks. Unless you are interested in the genre, Bravely Default II is a must. I hope that with the PC version you get the love you deserve.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Bravely Default II is a solid title in all its sections, which helps to scratch that itch that only classic adventures and with their good turns can scratch. There is still work to be polished, but the base is still fantastic.
Review in Spanish | Read full review