Revolutionize Your Gaming with BRAVELY DEFAULT II
Bravely Default II is a role-playing video game developed by Claytechworks and published by Square Enix. It was released for the Nintendo Switch on February 26, 2021, and later for Windows on September 2, 2021. This is the third main installment in the Bravely series, following Bravely Default and Bravely Second: End Layer. Unlike its predecessors, it features a standalone story, new characters, and a fresh setting in the world of Excillant.
Story
The game follows Seth, a young sailor who washes ashore in a foreign kingdom after a storm. He joins forces with:
- Gloria, a princess seeking to protect four elemental crystals,
- Elvis, a scholar investigating a mysterious book,
- Adelle, a mercenary with her own secrets.
Together, they journey across Excillant to recover the stolen crystals and confront adversaries threatening the world's balance. The story also explores themes of destiny as the group becomes the "Heroes of Light" chosen by the crystals to combat an ancient evil known as the Night's Nexus.
Gameplay
The game builds on traditional JRPG mechanics with innovations:
- Turn-Based Combat: Players use the "Brave" and "Default" systems to manage risk and reward. "Default" allows characters to defend and accumulate Brave Points (BP), while "Brave" lets them spend BP for multiple actions in one turn. Strategic use of these mechanics is crucial against challenging enemies.
- Job System: Players can collect "Asterisks" to unlock new job classes for characters, allowing deep customization and strategic flexibility.
- Exploration: The game features towns, dungeons, and a world map with distinct kingdoms to explore. Players interact with NPCs, solve side quests, and uncover hidden secrets.
Reception
Bravely Default II received generally positive reviews for its visual style, soundtrack, and refined combat system. However, some critics found its plot predictable. By December 2021, it had sold over one million copies on the Nintendo Switch alone.
Platforms
Initially launched on Nintendo Switch, the game was later ported to PC via Steam in September 2021, offering improved accessibility for players who prefer gaming on Windows.