Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remastered might become a problem for my work in the near future – hands-on

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Inquire around about a dozen people regarding their preferred RPG on the Nintendo 3DS, it’s likely that several will fondly mention Bravely Default, myself among them. Recently, I had a short opportunity to test the upcoming remaster at Square Enix’s NA headquarters, and unfortunately, it seems there could be more than just a fleeting reason for me to immerse myself in the game once more.

Initially, I should clarify some points regarding this remaster of Bravely Default; there’s been some debate among fans about which original version it is derived from. If you weren’t aware that more than one version of Bravely Default exists, no worries – according to Square Enix North America, despite the “Flying Fairy” subtitle, this remaster is built upon the international release as its foundation. The Japanese website for the game corroborates this, with some exceptions; the balance of the game has been designed based on the international version, but with some modifications, however, it’s important to note that certain content linked to Bravely Second, the 3DS sequel, is absent. This may imply that elements like the teaser movie at the end of the game or the Bravely Second gameplay feature are missing, or possibly both. At this point, we don’t have all the answers, and neither did the representatives we spoke with – and it’s also unclear if the game supports the Nintendo Switch 2 camera.

Let’s move on and discuss what’s fresh about the game now that it has been updated for high definition screens, including the screen of the upcoming Switch 2. We had a chance to test the game in docked mode, and the enhancement of game assets generally works smoothly. The remastered version is somewhat less vibrant than the original 3DS release in terms of contrast, but this difference may not be noticeable without direct comparison. For most players, especially new ones, this updated version could become the preferred way to enjoy the game as the 3DS hardware becomes increasingly outdated.

The core appeal of the remastered version, surprisingly, stems from two fresh mini-games designed for the Switch 2’s “mouse mode” on the new Joy-Con controllers. One is a rhythm game where you encourage a character of your choice to dance to various tunes from the game, while the other is a fast-paced version of Simon Says to maintain control of an airship. While these mini-games may seem like mere diversions from the main game, they could potentially hold more appeal than expected – especially for those who appreciate the rhythm game and Bravely Default’s soundtrack. Moreover, these mini-games offer access to beneficial features within the primary game as well as previously unrevealed lore for the series. If you’re anything like me, you can understand how these engaging additions could lead to an unwanted obsession, considering the abundance of new RPGs released this year and my desire to revisit a classic from my high school days.

To explain how it operates, you control two virtual mice by moving the Joy-Con’s light sticks across the screen. When you separate the two controllers, a line appears to split solid notes between them. Press the shoulder button on the corresponding Joy-Con over the glowing blue or pink notes. A green line will appear occasionally; in that case, bring both controllers close to the center to cheer. It resembles a peculiar version of an Osu! game mode, but I generally dislike Osu!, and yet I find myself puzzled by this.

Apart from that, there isn’t much more to add. The fact that the game’s physical version is trapped on a Game Key Card is unfortunate, but overall, the remaster seems to be shaping up quite well. Here’s keeping our fingers crossed that it will live up to expectations when it releases exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th.

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2025-05-22 10:25