Bravely Default: Where the Fairy Flies - 3DS/2DS

Also known as: Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

Got packs, screens, info?
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Adventure: Role Playing
Media: Cartridge Arcade origin:No
Developer: Silicon Studio Soft. Co.: Square Enix
Publishers: Square Enix (JP)
Nintendo (GB)
Released: 6 Dec 2013 (GB)
2012 (JP)
Ratings: PEGI 12+
Connectivity: Internet

Video

Get Adobe Flash player

Summary

One thing that's worth clearing up right off the bat is the fact that this peculiarly-named game has a reason for its odd title - 'Bravely Default' references two key commands from the game. So that's that. What Bravely Default is, at its heart, is a traditional RPG in the mode of the likes of Final Fantasy and Fire Emblem.

Things start off as farmhand Tiz narrowly escapes plummeting to his doom when his village drops into a sinkhole. Having watched his brother disappear before his eyes, he pleads with the king for help searching for survivors. With war at the kingdom's borders, however, the only help forthcoming is from a timid young lady called Agnes, who just so happens to be Vestel of the Wind, keeper and protector of the Wind Crystal - the very thing that's behind the sinkhole thanks to its failing powers.

Bravely Default isn't the sort of RPG where you skip the cutscenes, either. It's attracted praise for its script and has an unusual level of voice over for a JRPG.

The battle system is based around traditional turn-based combat, but it comes with a twist. As well as traditional attack and defend moves, it comes with the option to either 'Brave' or 'Default'. If you Brave, you'll unleash four consecutive attacks in one go, but you risk a wrathful retaliation of an equal number of attacks if you fail to lay your foe low. Default, on the other hand, and you'll defend and build up free extra turns in the process.

Bravely Default is the latest in a wave of JRPGs pushing the envelope somewhat, and is a worthy addition to any Square Enix fan's 3DS library.