Bravely Default 2 Reviews
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.
Looked at through the nitty-gritty of its stat-based party management, Bravely Default II is a commendable third outing that at its best reaffirms just how joyous the IP's approach to both RPG gameplay and nostalgia remains all these years on.
It's hard to call Bravely Default II a masterpiece, but it's not trying to be one. Yet still it's a solid game, full of classic JRPG charm. And perhaps it's a great reminder of why we love the genre in the first place.
Review in Russian | Read full review
The latest retro RPG for Nintendo Switch should score well with genre fans, but probably won't win many fresh converts
Those who love old school JRPG grindfests will find a lot to love with Bravely Default II.
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 2 still winds up my favorite game in the Bravely series largely due to the improvements in writing, and I’d recommend it to nearly any JRPG fan, but the series hasn’t managed to quite hit every note yet.
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 - the long-awaited JRPG for Nintendo Switch - turned out to be a good, craftsmanship job, free of flaws and problems of the esteemed genre. A position for fans of old Japanese games who are not afraid of an hour-long grind.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Bravely Default 2 is a comfortable game in an uncomfortable season. It offers a well-refined experience with a few exciting elements but doesn't quite grasp the experimental or groundbreaking design it was shooting for.
Bravely Default II is a good RPG that undermines everything amazing the previous two games. The new battle style discourages risk taking and thus less freedom with the job system. The first 30 or so hours are great, despite a slow start in terms of gameplay, but the last 20 are too frustrating to be worthwhile and the story ends on an unsatisfying note.
The third chapter in the Bravely saga fails to improve the main issues of the previous games: while Bravely Default II offers an astounding depth for its job system, that requires players to really understand its mechanisms, the game lacks all of those elements that make a JRPG really impactful, from a meaningful story to a deep characterization.
Review in Italian | Read full review
As its predecessors Bravely Default 2 scores with its unique and complex round based fighting system and an inviting atmosphere. But beside other minor strengths, the game suffers from its strong grinding constraints and its disbalance by constantly toggling between too easy removeable and overwhelming enemies.
Review in German | Read full review
The deep strategy provides an excellent experience, and the high-level boss battles made a recall of the emotions of the classic JRPG well. However, the level design is not perfect and frequent loading prevents immersion. It can be an attractive title for those who want to feel the emotions of the classic JRPG.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Bravely Default 2 is a classic JRPG that certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but its intriguing combat system and the customization offered by the many classes available can make it interesting for fans of the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Bravely Default 2 is a pretty JRPG with a strong combat system, but in terms of story, the switch adventure is a little too short.
Review in German | 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
Bravely Default II returns to what gamers loved about the first installment while using the better hardware to upgrade the graphics. The return of the Brave/Default system, a wide variety of jobs, and the many interesting, outspoken characters are offset by quite a difficulty spike in story-related fights which too often require extensive grinding.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Overall, Bravely Default II is a satisfying follow up to the Bravely Default series, but it could have benefited greatly from a delay instead of cutting content.
For those looking for a throwback JRPG with heart and an addictive combat system with the ability to blend together job combinations, there’s nowhere else to turn.