Board 8 > Bravely Default 2 Review Zone

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://opencritic.com/game/10577/bravely-default-2

The 3rd Bravely Default game, Bravely Default 2! An 81 average through 28 reviews thus far (or 80 through 45 over on Meta). It sounds like it's another solid JRPG in the vein of the previous games with returning elements that are more polished than before, but new elements that are perhaps questionable in their design or not executed as well as they should have leading to some frustration among reviewers.

IGN - 8/10
Bravely Default 2 is a long, familiar JRPG journey with excellent customizable combat and beautiful backdrops that pass the time as you work through its extended stretches of grinding.

Eurogamer
Square Enix's line of retro JRPGs continues with an all-new world and tale for Bravely Default, though some of the old problems persist.

Game Informer - 8/10
If you enjoy the RPGs of eras long past, Bravely Default II captures some satisfying whimsy and nostalgia, but its formulaic structure can feel tedious

Gamespot - 6/10
Bravely Default 2 brings the throwback RPG series to Nintendo Switch, but the loss of modern quality-of-life features make this a decidedly grindy experience.

Polygon
I'm even more baffled by the enemies for which I don't even get the correct tools to fight. Bravely Default 2 makes it easy to find all enemy weaknesses when I use a turn to inspect them, but some enemies are weak to energy types that I didn't gain access to for a whole two chapters after I first encountered their symbol. The peak of this frustration was when I fought a boss with a beefy minion that was vulnerable only to electricity and light, and completely invulnerable to all physical attacks. I had one character who could cast electrical attacks, and I still had yet to see light energy.

Destructoid - 8/10
That's pretty much Bravely Default II in a neat little package. It's more Bravely Default, which is more classic JRPG formula, distilled for a modern era. It's not going to reinvent RPGs as we know them, but this series still has life in it yet.

TheSixthAxis - 8/10
What Bravely Default II has retained from previous games has been polished to a high standard and delivers the perfect slice of turn-based JRPG nonsense you're craving. However, be warned as the areas that have changed aren't as solidly executed and can have frustrating results. Bravely Default II is definitely worth the look for JRPG fans or fans of the series, but be prepared for an experience that's a tad rough at times.

---

ninkendo posted...

I'm even more baffled by the enemies for which I don't even get the correct tools to fight. Bravely Default 2 makes it easy to find all enemy weaknesses when I use a turn to inspect them, but some enemies are weak to energy types that I didn't gain access to for a whole two chapters after I first encountered their symbol. The peak of this frustration was when I fought a boss with a beefy minion that was vulnerable only to electricity and light, and completely invulnerable to all physical attacks. I had one character who could cast electrical attacks, and I still had yet to see light energy.

This sounds like very standard fare to me. I don't really see the issue.

---

Looks like a pass to me. I've come to realize that, despite being a jrpg fan, I just don't find playing these new games that capture the classic feel all that fun when they also capture the negative aspects of them as well.

Give me classic jrpgs with modern QOL improvements to remove big grinds and sluggish battling.

---

ninkendo posted...

Gamespot - 6/10
Bravely Default 2 brings the throwback RPG series to Nintendo Switch, but the loss of modern quality-of-life features make this a decidedly grindy experience.

Hmm, that sounds unfortunate. What's gone? Just the fast forward? Some other stuff too?
---

Surskit posted...

This sounds like very standard fare to me. I don't really see the issue.

Yeah. Enemy is weak to electricity, you have a party member with electric attacks. That seems perfectly fine!

---

andylt posted...

Yeah. Enemy is weak to electricity, you have a party member with electric attacks. That seems perfectly fine!

I believe the reviewers issue was that the game didn't allow you to have a party member with electric attacks for another 2 chapters after encountering the monster.

---

TheRock1525 posted...

I believe the reviewers issue was that the game didn't allow you to have a party member with electric attacks for another 2 chapters after encountering the monster.

I read it as them having access to electric attacks then, but no light attacks for two more chapters.

---