We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.

Bravely Default Expectations

by James Dawson - February 8, 2014, 2:00 pm EST
Total comments: 25

Our staff shares their expectations for Square Enix's latest 3DS RPG.

With Square Enix's latest Japanese RPG, Bravely Deafult, out in North America, we asked our staff their expectations for the game, and if it will be the game that rekindles their love for JRPGs in general.

Zachary Miller:

I was initially excited about it, but the demo killed it for me. The focus on Jobs makes me sad—I like an RPG that just gives you the usual classes and says "go" rather than making me worry that I'm playing the game wrong.

The game looks great, though.

Tom Malina:

My JRPG tolerance is very specific, so in general, if I am to get excited about something like Bravely Default, the systems it employs need to be accessible enough that I can not only understand how they work, but also feel like I can make effective, intelligent use of them.

I certainly expect Bravely Default, based on the impressions I've seen, to be a good game, but that doesn't mean I anticipate it will be something I personally want to play.

Andy Goergen:

At this point, it's very difficult for me to find myself invested in anything that doesn't have the ability to pick up and get playing (and feel satisfied) within a minute or two. JRPG's don't really fit that mold, but if there was some sort of pick-up-and-play mechanic in this game that didn't require me to set aside 30 minutes every time I wanted to play, then that might get me excited for the game.  As it stands, no matter how pretty or epic the game is, it just doesn't fit the way I play games anymore.

J.P. Corbran:

I'm not generally a JRPG guy, and originally wasn't even interested enough to download the demo, but hearing people talk about it, even when they meant it as complaining, got me to try it. Before long I was completely hooked. The only non-Pokémon JRPG I've ever really come close to completing was the original Final Fantasy, which I loved, so I feel right at home with what you might call the archaic nature of a lot of it. This shows the power of demos, as I went from not interested at all to buying it day one because I had a chance to try it.

Guillaume Veillette:

My 3DS is starved for another JRPG and Bravely Default will keep me busy for quite a while. Experimenting with the various classes in the demo was fun. The only thing missing was a fun world to explore, something that the full game will fix. I especially like how the game seems to respect the player's time, allowing him to fast-forward through the battle animations, and reduce or turn off the random encounters completely. It doesn't hurt that the game is easy on the eyes and the ears, as well.

Neal Ronaghan:

I keep on going back and forth on if I want to get Bravely Default. My first impression with the demo was bad, but I've gone back and enjoyed it a bit more. I keep on coming back to the whole idea that I think I'd rather finish a DS RPG like Dragon Quest VI or Radiant Historia that I never polished off. I think this is the kind of game that I could be at a Target for something else and I walk out with the game. Or it's late night on a Saturday, I had a few beers and I'm on the eShop. I mean, that worked with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate last weekend. Who knows.

Talkback

OblivionFebruary 08, 2014

I heard the last chapter of the game was really, really bad. Like, Okami levels of bad, if you know what I mean by that.



MagicCow64February 08, 2014

Yeah, the jobs stuff kills any interest in this for me. Same reason I didn't like Final Fantasy V, and similar to why I didn't like FFVII (Materia).

leahsdadFebruary 08, 2014

It's funny how a lot of people , especially self professed "i'm not really into jrpg's" kind of people, are turned off by the job system.  I admit, I am REALLY into jrpg's, and i have no problem with job systems, but no one complained about the job system in 4 heroes if light, and that was the same developer.  And everyone gushed over fire emblem last year and that was most definitely a job system.

Chad SexingtonFebruary 08, 2014

I agree with Zach.


I was really looking forward to it and heard a lot of good things about the demo.  Downloaded the demo and the job systems kills any excitement I had for it.  I really dislike RPGs with job systems in general.  I never finished the demo.

Chad SexingtonFebruary 08, 2014

Also: I'm not opposed to customizing your party.  I would much rather have a Final Fantasy I style game where you pick your party in the beginning, for example.  I think it adds a lot of replay value.  (Similar to the way D&D type games let you customize?)

OblivionFebruary 08, 2014

Quote from: leahsdad

It's funny how a lot of people , especially self professed "i'm not really into jrpg's" kind of people, are turned off by the job system.  I admit, I am REALLY into jrpg's, and i have no problem with job systems, but no one complained about the job system in 4 heroes if light, and that was the same developer.  And everyone gushed over fire emblem last year and that was most definitely a job system.

dat hyperbole

Chad SexingtonFebruary 08, 2014

Quote from: leahsdad

It's funny how a lot of people , especially self professed "i'm not really into jrpg's" kind of people, are turned off by the job system.  I admit, I am REALLY into jrpg's, and i have no problem with job systems, but no one complained about the job system in 4 heroes if light, and that was the same developer.  And everyone gushed over fire emblem last year and that was most definitely a job system.

I never used Second Seals in Fire Emblem.

It didn't feel like a game with a job system to me.

NemoFebruary 09, 2014

I am very excited for it. In fact, I already bought it and started playing it. :)

RodrigueFebruary 09, 2014

wow so negative. this is the video game that will save video games. thank u square enix for yet another flawless masterpiece after 4 heroes of light. i would take points off for removing underage sex jokes and skimpy clothing but that is a fault of the dirty western culture.

RodrigueFebruary 09, 2014

Quote from: Chad

Quote from: leahsdad

It's funny how a lot of people , especially self professed "i'm not really into jrpg's" kind of people, are turned off by the job system.  I admit, I am REALLY into jrpg's, and i have no problem with job systems, but no one complained about the job system in 4 heroes if light, and that was the same developer.  And everyone gushed over fire emblem last year and that was most definitely a job system.

I never used Second Seals in Fire Emblem.

It didn't feel like a game with a job system to me.

k then pick your jobs and never change them. now the game doesn't have a job system. HURR

OblivionFebruary 09, 2014

Have you actually played Bravely Default? Have you heard about the extremely shitty last chapter? I wouldn't blindingly follow this game just because of the hype.

azekeFebruary 09, 2014

I don't understand complaints about job system.

How does it make player feel like he's playing the game wrong?

RodrigueFebruary 09, 2014

Quote from: Oblivion

Have you actually played Bravely Default? Have you heard about the extremely shitty last chapter? I wouldn't blindingly follow this game just because of the hype.

so it was released in all regions but 1 and has gotten rave reviews everywhere but it's all "hype"? lol, just admit you are desperate to find flaws in it

broodwarsFebruary 09, 2014

Quote from: Rodrigue

Quote from: Oblivion

Have you actually played Bravely Default? Have you heard about the extremely shitty last chapter? I wouldn't blindingly follow this game just because of the hype.

so it was released in all regions but 1 and has gotten rave reviews everywhere but it's all "hype"? lol, just admit you are desperate to find flaws in it

It has an 85 Metacritic and most reviews I'be seen have been in that 8-9 range. Those are excellent scores, but I wouldn't call those "rave reviews."

By "playing it wrong," I mean "making things artificially harder on yourself by going with the wrong party mix." The game can't possibly be balanced for every possible party combination, so I'll constantly be worrying that I have the wrong group of classes. The only job system I ever enjoyed was Dragon Quest IX, and I couldn't even tell you why.

OblivionFebruary 09, 2014

Quote from: Rodrigue

Quote from: Oblivion

Have you actually played Bravely Default? Have you heard about the extremely shitty last chapter? I wouldn't blindingly follow this game just because of the hype.

so it was released in all regions but 1 and has gotten rave reviews everywhere but it's all "hype"? lol, just admit you are desperate to find flaws in it

Yep, you got me. I'm just out to destroy anyone's hope in enjoying this game.

azekeFebruary 09, 2014

Quote from: Halbred

By "playing it wrong," I mean "making things artificially harder on yourself by going with the wrong party mix." The game can't possibly be balanced for every possible party combination, so I'll constantly be worrying that I have the wrong group of classes.

As far as i can tell from the demo (also note that my experience with JRPG is extremely limited i still haven't beaten a single one) as long as you have one tank, one healer and one black magic wielder you're okay. You can even combine two or three roles into one person.

Also game gives you overpowered stuff through StreetPass and internet anyway.

Ian SaneFebruary 11, 2014

It's funny because to me the customization of the job system is part of the whole damn appeal.  If you want me to get interested in your RPG throw a job system in there.  What I find awkward is something like the first Final Fantasy game where you pick your classes and that's it.  Picked a poor choice but not find out until 20 hours in?  Too bad!  Start the game over.  With the job system that NEVER happens.  You realize your classes ain't cutting the mustard so you just change them as you wish.

"I'm afraid I'll play the game wrong."  Uh, yeah, isn't this an issue with EVERY game worth a shit?  If you don't know what you're doing in any game you lose and you die unless you're playing worthless dumbed down bullshit like Wii Music.  It isn't like this is Fire Emblem with permanent deaths.  When you lose you load your save back up and try again.

I'm really digging the flexibility of the game.  I'll go into a dungeon and maybe be in over my head and get my ass handed to me with me barely surviving the first fight.  Well I just then turn the random battles off, run back to town to heal and maybe grind or experiment with jobs or save up to buy better equipment and I try again.  The ability to turn off the battles or crank them up whenever I want is ridiculously user friendly.  If I die on a boss I can just walk through the dungeon to get back to him without getting my health and magic chipped away by regular enemies.  I need to grind?  I can crank the battles up and find enemies I can kill in one round by Braving and the game REWARDS me with bonus EXP for doing this, thus making grinding go faster.

Chad SexingtonFebruary 11, 2014

Quote from: Rodrigue

Quote from: Chad

Quote from: leahsdad

It's funny how a lot of people , especially self professed "i'm not really into jrpg's" kind of people, are turned off by the job system.  I admit, I am REALLY into jrpg's, and i have no problem with job systems, but no one complained about the job system in 4 heroes if light, and that was the same developer.  And everyone gushed over fire emblem last year and that was most definitely a job system.

I never used Second Seals in Fire Emblem.

It didn't feel like a game with a job system to me.

k then pick your jobs and never change them. now the game doesn't have a job system. HURR

Is it possible to go through the game without changing classes?

If so, then I'll probably give it a shot.

KhushrenadaFebruary 11, 2014

Quote from: Ian

It's funny because to me the customization of the job system is part of the whole damn appeal.  If you want me to get interested in your RPG throw a job system in there.  What I find awkward is something like the first Final Fantasy game where you pick your classes and that's it.  Picked a poor choice but not find out until 20 hours in?  Too bad!  Start the game over.  With the job system that NEVER happens.  You realize your classes ain't cutting the mustard so you just change them as you wish.

"I'm afraid I'll play the game wrong."  Uh, yeah, isn't this an issue with EVERY game worth a ****?  If you don't know what you're doing in any game you lose and you die unless you're playing worthless dumbed down bullshit like Wii Music.  It isn't like this is Fire Emblem with permanent deaths.  When you lose you load your save back up and try again.

I'm really digging the flexibility of the game.  I'll go into a dungeon and maybe be in over my head and get my ass handed to me with me barely surviving the first fight.  Well I just then turn the random battles off, run back to town to heal and maybe grind or experiment with jobs or save up to buy better equipment and I try again.  The ability to turn off the battles or crank them up whenever I want is ridiculously user friendly.  If I die on a boss I can just walk through the dungeon to get back to him without getting my health and magic chipped away by regular enemies.  I need to grind?  I can crank the battles up and find enemies I can kill in one round by Braving and the game REWARDS me with bonus EXP for doing this, thus making grinding go faster.

Woah! Ian Sane kicking ass and taking names. More of this please!

You know, I never thought about that potential of the battle encounter slider. That's a really brilliant concept. That is a great idea of just going back to the boss with no enemy encounters if you need it. It's nice that some games will just let you try again right at the encounter. For instance, in Metroid Prime 3, if I die fighting a boss, I can just retry the fight again with the energy and ammo I had when the fight first began instead of having to slog back to the boss. Of course, if you have to stop playing, then the next time you load up will be at the save station and you will have to make the trek again. This idea would make it very nice to counter that problem of having to return to a boss. Smart thinking.

azekeFebruary 12, 2014

Yeah, it's really confusing when people say they are afraid to screw up in the beginning of the game with picking classes and then in the same breath say that they hate the system that allows them to change classes on the fly.

MagicCow64February 12, 2014

It just adds a layer of second guessing and micromanagement that I don't like, and constant nagging opportunity cost if there are progression trees involved within the jobs. A version I liked was Seiken Densetsu 3, where you had a few options for the lead character but nothing overwhelming (I, uh, played that game on a trip to Japan, that's the ticket.)

More so though I feel job systems make the characters generic. I much prefer something like FFVI or Chrono Trigger where you have a larger pool of characters with unique battle attributes/systems that tie in with their stories. And with Chrono I don't think it was possible to put together a shitty team given that everyone had cross combination attacks with everyone else.

azekeFebruary 12, 2014

Can't comment on your examples being very new to jRPG genre, but i can't understand generic complaint used against BD where every single job for each character has unique looks to them.

broodwarsFebruary 12, 2014

Quote from: azeke

Can't comment on your examples being very new to jRPG genre, but i can't understand generic complaint used against BD where every single job for each character has unique looks to them.

I think his point is that a system that allows anyone to be anything makes them all essentially the same character. To quote The Incredibles, "when everyone is special, no one will be." This is a major complaint I have with Final Fantasies 6, 7, 8, & 12: the characters are so functionally the same in the progression system that they feel incredibly generic in battle.  It isn't like in Final Fantasies 4 or 9 where the characters have set roles and, thus, have unique identities in battle.

AdrockFebruary 12, 2014

Quote from: broodwars

I think his point is that a system that allows anyone to be anything makes them all essentially the same character. To quote The Incredibles, "when everyone is special, no one will be." This is a major complaint I have with Final Fantasies 6, 7, 8, & 12: the characters are so functionally the same in the progression system that they feel incredibly generic in battle.  It isn't like in Final Fantasies 4 or 9 where the characters have set roles and, thus, have unique identities in battle.

My favorite Final Fantasy titles are VI and IX. It's been a while, but I don't remember really playing them differently. I just equipped skills then leveled up. Based on what you're saying, I have no idea how I completed IX. I'm assuming I just stumbled through the game then leveled up high enough to beat the final boss.

I plan on buying Bravely Default, mostly for my brother though I also want to play it. We'll see if I ever get around to it. In the event that I do, I will probably just brute force my way through the game instead of paying attention to classes like I'm supposed to.

Share + Bookmark





Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement