Bravely Default Reviews

Bravely Default is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Digital Spy
Top Critic
Feb 3, 2014

However, the game is also let down by its fair share of derivative and less ambitious features. Bravely Default disappointingly wastes a lot of its potential, but Square Enix will get another shot with the already-announced sequel.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2014

The tale of Bravely Default is lovable, if a bit cliché.

Read full review

71 / 100
Feb 6, 2014

Bravely Default is, for better or worse, a pretty good '90s RPG

Read full review

75%
Feb 7, 2014

This isn't the next big JRPG, but it'll certainly take you a long time to complete.

Read full review

75 / 100
Mar 3, 2014

Bravely Default’s combat combines the best things that old-school JRPGs had to offer with some new and welcome additions, and its social features are incredibly forward-thinking. However, its sluggish pacing and over-reliance on repetition and genre conventions holds it back from being the Final Fantasy replacement we all wanted it to be.

Read full review

7.6 / 10.0
Mar 20, 2014

Game Strong. Solid JRPG experience, and one I didn't mind putting 90 hours into. If you like JRPGs at all, you'll like this one. It won't be your favorite, but it'll be one you'll keep on the shelf afterwards.

Read full review

NZGamer
Top Critic
7.9 / 10.0
Dec 23, 2013

90% brilliant, 10% excruciatingly tiresome.

Read full review

4 / 5.0
Dec 24, 2013

Bravely Default is a triumphant blending of a classic template with some fresh ideas and modern user-friendliness, albeit with a few areas that could still be refined before going on to the next level.

Read full review

8 / 10
Mar 18, 2014

For good or for bad, Bravely Default is an old fashioned RPG. The story can be hit and miss at the same time introducing fantastical and cringe worthy dialog. If you are looking for something to sink your teeth into for 80-100 hours this unabashedly Final Fantasy like game isn’t a bad way to do it.

Read full review

Az Elias
Top Critic
8 / 10
Dec 20, 2013

Bravely Default is classic Final Fantasy in everything but name only. Despite dropping the famous moniker and attempting to become a successful new RPG series in its own right, this is the game that Final Fantasy fans have been missing in their lives for far too long. The added beauty of this very traditional role-playing experience is that it is accessible to all types of players due to the difficulty options and simple tutorials, making for a game that is great for those still new to the genre, but also offers a lot of challenge for the more seasoned gamer that demands it. Bravely Default is a great start for this new Square Enix franchise, and proves that allowing other developers to craft the types of RPGs that have been long-missed by the Final Fantasy company's fans can lead to extremely positive results. This is one game any RPG fan should be setting money aside for, whether they already own a Nintendo 3DS or not.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 13, 2014

Bravely Default: Where The Fairy Flies comes remarkably close to being one of the best JRPGs I've ever played. The combat system is exciting, difficult, and highly customizable. The early design is wonderful, and the level of freedom with the game's difficulty makes it easy for anyone to play. Unfortunately, the game design falls so heavily in the last chapters that it becomes a chore to finish. That's still 25 hours of great gameplay before 5-10 hours of tedium, but it's enough to drag down the experience. If you're a JRPG fan, you must play Bravely Default. It comes so close to greatness that it's possible to overlook its glaring flaws. Just be warned that it'll be a slog to get to the end.

Read full review

Will Greenwald
Top Critic
Jan 31, 2014

Bravely Default is the best new Final Fantasy game I've played in years, and it isn't even a Final Fantasy game.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
May 11, 2016

Bravely Second’s writing just doesn’t live up to its predecessor. Otherwise, it’s an incredibly solid and technically competent game that will have you tinkering with its job system for hours.

Read full review

EGM
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Feb 7, 2014

Bravely Default is a reminder that classic Final Fantasy themes and gameplay elements are timeless in the right hands. Unfortunately, its later segments are some of the worst examples of unnecessary padding in RPG history. All told, it’s a flawed masterpiece that shows more potential than any other current Square Enix RPG property.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jan 29, 2014

Bravely Default is a wonderful little game if you understand where it’s coming from.

Read full review

Feb 7, 2014

While many might argue that turn-based combat has become stagnant over the years, 'Bravely Default' intends to breath it new life.

Read full review

8 / 10
Feb 10, 2014

Bravely Default is a refreshing infusion of modernity into what's otherwise a traditional old-school RPG. It adds some new spice to turn-based battles, while also adding an engaging story, an engrossing Job system, and much-needed customization.

Read full review

8 / 10
Dec 13, 2013

Thanks to its excellent battle system, Bravely Default breathes new life into a traditionalist genre.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jan 30, 2014

Bravely Default is a masterful blend of old and new

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jan 28, 2014

Bravely Default’s depth and variety largely make up for a slow pace and repetitive mission structure

Read full review