Bravely Default

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 181 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • grinding
Bravely Default Game Cover
For 2013, Bravely Default is easily the best RPG of the year that will keep fans of this genre extremely happy as they join these characters in their fight for freedom.

Square Enix’s highly-acclaimed fantasy RPG brings deep, strategic combat to the Nintendo 3DS system in an ambitious game that bolsters its turn-based combat with a compelling new risk/reward system RPG fans will obsess over. Explore Luxendarc as Tiz and other memorable characters on a visually stunning quest to restore balance to the world. Hand-drawn 3D backgrounds and a rousing score bring Luxe…

  • Nintendo 3ds
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 181 reviews
story26 positive mentions
grinding26 negative mentions
  • Bravely Default II features an innovative Brave and Default system that allows for strategic battles, enhancing the overall combat experience.
  • The job system is highly praised for its depth, offering over 15 unique classes that allow players to customize their party and create powerful combinations.
  • The game boasts high-quality graphics and a memorable soundtrack, immersing players in its vibrant world and providing a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic JRPGs.
  • The story is often described as generic and predictable, lacking the depth and engagement found in other RPGs, which may disappoint players seeking a compelling narrative.
  • Many players find the game overly grindy, especially in the early stages, which can lead to frustration and a sense of repetitiveness in gameplay.
  • Some technical issues, such as slow loading times and occasional performance drops, detract from the overall experience, making navigation and combat less fluid.
  • story85 mentions

    The game's story centers on four heroes on a quest to restore elemental crystals, echoing themes from classic RPGs. While some players find the narrative predictable and generic, others appreciate the character development and engaging gameplay that compensates for the story's shortcomings. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the story's progression and depth, while others criticize it for being drawn-out and filled with tedious side quests.

    • “The game follows the story of four heroes as they set out on a quest to restore the four elemental crystals to their former glory.”
    • “The story was great, the characters were very interesting.”
    • “Amazing dark story and the job system is well thought out.”
    • “The problem is that this game has the same simple/generic story, but attempts to draw it out with lots of pointless dialogue that constantly interrupts the gameplay.”
    • “The grind becomes annoying and the side quests make me want to put my head through a wall.”
    • “Predictable storyline, not very challenging.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of "Bravely Default II" are widely praised for their beautiful art style and immersive landscapes, reminiscent of classic 90s RPGs. While many players appreciate the cute and engaging visuals, some feel that the graphics could be improved, with a few noting technical issues like freezing and blurriness. Overall, the game's visuals contribute significantly to the experience, enhancing both exploration and combat.

    • “The graphics and soundtrack of Bravely Default II are both top-notch, immersing you in the game's world and providing a memorable experience.”
    • “The art style is cute, the world is vast, and the battles can be tricky if you don’t plan ahead.”
    • “Amazing graphics, great voice acting, and gun gameplay will keep you hooked for hours.”
    • “I feel the visuals could be better at times as this game is not that demanding.”
    • “Graphics: 1/5 it looks like a 3DS game.”
    • “The art style didn't do it for me at all.”
  • grinding26 mentions

    The game features significant grinding typical of old-school JRPGs, which can be both rewarding and tedious. While the class system and offline farming help streamline character progression, many players find the grinding necessary for boss fights to be excessive and the side quests uninspired. Overall, it appeals to fans of the genre but may deter those who prefer a less grind-heavy experience.

    • “It takes grinding and 'down time' activity a little too far, but the story is decent.”
    • “Grinding will be a must if you want to be able to defeat some of the bosses.”
    • “Overall a solid title despite being a little grindy and a little too heavy on the fetch side quests; worse yet these quests offer little reward.”
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its blend of classic RPG mechanics and modern features, offering engaging turn-based combat and a robust job system that keeps the challenge alive. While the story is considered mediocre and sometimes interrupted by excessive dialogue, the overall gameplay experience is enjoyable and reminiscent of previous entries in the genre, appealing to both classic JRPG fans and newcomers. However, some players note that the difficulty may be a hurdle for casual gamers.

    • “This game is the perfect blend of classic RPG gameplay and modern features, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.”
    • “Its engaging gameplay, innovative features, and high-quality presentation make it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “Excellent gameplay along with the game never gets too easy but lets you explore the job system while never letting you become overpowered in the story.”
    • “The problem is that this game has the same simple/generic story, but attempts to draw it out with lots of pointless dialogue that constantly interrupts the gameplay.”
    • “I love the art style this game inspires throughout the story but the gameplay is a little difficult even for casual players.”
    • “Gameplay is very similar to the previous ones.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in Bravely Default II is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many noting it as a significant improvement over previous titles. However, some users expressed disappointment with specific character themes and a perceived similarity to the original game's soundtrack. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its atmosphere.

    • “The music is outstanding.”
    • “Great music and characters.”
    • “The graphics and soundtrack of Bravely Default II are both top-notch, immersing you in the game's world and providing a memorable experience.”
    • “Music: 1/5 all background music.”
    • “Some of the characters get special themes in battle...that are so bad I would turn the music off.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for noticeable issues such as jagged edges, tearing, and stuttering, particularly during loading times when transitioning between cities and world maps. Reviewers have called for performance patches and tweaks to address these problems, which detract from the overall experience and make it feel less polished compared to its predecessors.

    • “Only issues are load speeds between entering or leaving a city/world map stalling, so game performance could be optimized.”
    • “There were jagged edges, tearing, and stuttering.”
    • “Longer loading times, loss of quality of life features, and other minor performance issues don't really make it feel like a worthy successor to those games, especially since the other titles had more interesting stories and characters as well.”
    • “It seriously needs a performance patch and game tweaks to be considered okay.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple difficulty levels and a New Game+ mode, encouraging players to revisit the experience for new challenges and enhanced gameplay.

    • “With multiple difficulty levels and a New Game+ mode, there's plenty of replay value to be had.”
    • “With multiple difficulty levels and a New Game+ mode, there's plenty of replay value to be had.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for the main character's lack of emotional depth, leading to a disconnection from the narrative and other characters. Despite being vocal, the protagonist fails to evoke any genuine feelings, diminishing the overall emotional impact of the story.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its amusing dialogue, though some players feel it falls short of being consistently hilarious.

    • “The dialogue was hilarious and kept me laughing throughout the game.”
    • “I loved the witty banter between characters; it added so much charm!”
    • “The humor in the game is spot on, making even the most serious moments light-hearted.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for its questionable use of in-app purchases, which detracts from the overall experience, compounded by a conventional narrative and tedious gameplay elements that may frustrate players.

    • “The overly conventional narrative takes too long to get interesting, and the tedious fetch quests combined with a repetitive final act make the experience drag on. The questionable use of in-app purchases only adds to the frustration.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “In-app purchases are heavily integrated into the gameplay, making it difficult to progress without spending real money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Videos

Similar Games