Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Reviews
I definitely think that hardcore RPG fans will find a lot to enjoy with this game. For fans of the series, it might be worth revisiting as well. The jump to HD might appeal to some, however, there’s something to be said about the loss of the game’s nostalgic, chunky pixels on the 3DS. I looked up various pieces of gameplay for comparison’s sake, and character models look significantly worse in HD thanks to their rough polygons that were made for a specific system. Then again, longtime fans might love to see the game they know so well in a new light! As a newcomer myself, I wasn’t terribly impressed. While the combat is just fine and the job system offers neat combinations, I found the story and its characters so crushingly uninteresting that I started to dread picking up my Switch 2 to continue the journey. Thankfully, the gorgeous music is available for streaming, as I don’t plan to revisit Luxendarc anytime soon.
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a paradox: it ticks the boxes of tactical combat and progression system – defined here by professions – with excellence, but chronically fails in pacing and narrative.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster brings this classic 3DS RPG back in a way that still works. The combat’s just as satisfying, the job system is still fun to mess with, and the upgraded visuals help it shine a little brighter. The new mini-games are small extras, but the heart of the game is as strong as ever.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is, in the end, a way to shine the spotlight once again on one of the great JRPGs from the 3DS era, now featuring visual enhancements and two charming minigames that feel more like Joy-Con function tests. The game delivers everything you’d expect from a solid Japanese RPG: a compelling story, an impeccable soundtrack, beautiful environments, charismatic characters, and a revamped turn-based combat system that adds strategy and dynamism to every battle. The freedom in team building and well-written dialogues give rhythm and personality to the journey, making the experience captivating from start to finish. It’s highly recommended for those looking to get into the world of JRPGs or to relive the genre’s golden age. However, for those who already played it on the 3DS, the new content is minimal and doesn’t quite justify a return—unless, of course, it’s out of pure nostalgia for Luxendarc.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Bravely Default HD is a lovingly enhanced version of a modern JRPG classic. It doesn’t rewrite the past, but it refreshes. For newcomers, it offers an ideal gateway into turn-based strategy. For veterans, it’s a polished return to one of Square Enix’s most inventive and popular post-Final Fantasy titles. A little bit more effort and care into the details would’ve been even better for a console launch title. A remaster with sharper visuals, orchestrated music, and improved mechanics. Its core original game flaws remain intact, but so do its greatest triumphs: a brave and default battle system, a charming cast, and a subversive story.
The HD remaster of one of Square Enix's most beloved modern cult classics is finally available on a current platform, but despite its charms, it remains an experience that will easily divide players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster for the Nintendo Switch 2 is a successful HD remaster of a modern JRPG classic and will win over nostalgics and newcomers alike.
Review in German | Read full review
“Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster” is an excellent role-playing game that has unfortunately only received a minimal remaster treatment. The unique combat system, the engaging story and numerous quality-of-life optimizations set the JRPG apart from other representatives of the genre. If you are a role-playing game fan who has never played the 3DS original, I recommend the Switch 2 remake - provided you can get used to the underwhelming graphics and the unnecessarily repetitive ending.
Review in German | Read full review
I'm very happy that BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster, a JRPG gem from the 3DS, has found new life now on Switch 2, but I'm not a big fan of creating a re-release of the title without touching up the negative aspects of the game or adding new content. If you've already played the original, you won't find enough new features to justify purchasing this remaster, unless you want to relive the experience of the first Bravely. However, if you've never played it and are looking for a classic JRPG experience on your Switch 2, this title could be for you.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a gloriously traditional JRPG, with compelling combat, fun new minigames and many hours of content.
Those who already played Bravely Default on the 3DS back in the day won’t miss out on much by skipping this remaster, but for those who haven’t been on an adventure in Luxendarc yet, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is with its graphic, technical and quality of life improvements and lack of microtransactions the best version of the game. The minigames make clever use of the Joy-Cons’ mouse mode and besides the useful rewards they give, they’re also fun to play.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster is not simply a means of reliving the past; in the end, it is more than that. You are cordially invited to return to a world where turn-based battle and honest storytelling are still the most important things, regardless of whether this is your first time visiting or you are a seasoned fighter.
If you are a fan of turn-based JRPGs, games with a lot of customization, or a simple story done really well Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a great game that has a lot of great gameplay, a fun combat system, and a lot of different ways to be able to create your party if you want to replay the game.
Proves to be more than just a simple nostalgia trip. This is the RPG you need to play on your Nintendo Switch 2.
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a good port, and it holds up well a decade-plus later thanks to some incredible gameplay choices, excellent music, and exciting twists midway through.
As someone who missed out on the original release, I’ve been having a blast exploring the world of Luxendarc and can’t recommend Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster enough for anyone looking for an RPG to sink their teeth into on their Switch 2.
BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster is finally out of "3DS jail", and now gamers have the chance to play this beloved classic on Switch 2. However, and I can't say this lightly, it seems to me that this game was only taken out so Square Enix could say they had a launch title ready for the Switch 2 sometimes. It's not a bad game, I want to make that clear, but in 2025, Bravely Default is going to have a hard time standing out, especially with its story.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Bravely Default is the perfect launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Its story and gameplay remain some of the best the RPG genre has to offer, and the addition of new minigames does a great job showcasing the Joy-Con’s mouse controls. If you’ve never played Bravely Default before, you’re in for a treat. And if you have? Returning to this world on the Switch 2 feels just as rewarding—if not better—than the first time around.
BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster is still enchanting. The high-definition graphics, the striking soundtrack (it's impossible not to hum the battle or map themes), the quality voice acting (although only in English and Japanese) and the charisma of the characters guarantee a great experience. If you're a fan of the series, this is the perfect opportunity to relive the adventure. If you've never played it, but like RPGs with good stories and strategic combat, you can jump in without fear.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster respects the spirit of the original while improving on it in every important way. A must-have if you're a fan of JRPGs and want to get the best start to your Nintendo Switch 2.
Review in Spanish | Read full review