Switch 2’s Bravely Default Remaster Rings In The 3DS Nostalgia Era With A Great Version Of A Great RPG

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The selection of games launching alongside the Switch 2 isn’t particularly diverse. Mario Kart World serves as the main attraction, but most of the other titles set for release on June 5 are simply updated versions of previously released games. Among them, Bravely Default stands out, being an HD remaster of a game originally released over a decade ago instead of a brand-new game like Street Fighter 6 or Cyberpunk 2077. However, despite feeling somewhat nostalgic for games from the 3DS era, I believe that Bravely Default on Switch 2, titled Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, offers an excellent opportunity to experience this timeless RPG classic.

If you’re not familiar, Bravely Default was essentially a spin-off of the iconic Final Fantasy series, lacking only its name. It featured four heroes of light, sacred crystals, and all the classic elements. The game boasted an intricate job system that allowed players to discover powerful combinations, and it was one of the pioneers in offering options like speeding up battles, auto-battling, or even disabling them altogether – features now common in remakes of classic RPGs.

The title derived from one of its battle systems: “Default” (a defensive move that saves an additional Brave Point) and “Brave” (spending saved Brave Points for extra actions, or even going into debt). In other words, you could constantly use the “Brave” option to quickly defeat low-level enemies, while against tougher foes and bosses, a more strategic approach would be necessary.

After it, came the semi-sequel titled “Bravely Second: End Layer,” followed by a true sequel, simply known as “Bravely Second.” Unlike the Final Fantasy series, the Bravely games are set in a single, consistent universe where each new installment expands on the narratives and continuity established earlier.

Similarly to many games from the 3DS library, Bravely Default isn’t easily accessible anymore due to its requirements for functioning 3DS hardware and a physical cartridge. Unlike Bravely Default 2, it was never made available on other platforms such as Steam. This makes it an ideal candidate for an HD remaster, enabling fans to retain the game in a format that remains viable for years to come. After a brief trial, I’m confident that Bravely Default will be my second most-played Switch 2 title behind only Mario Kart at launch.

Initially, the game appears visually stunning. The hand-painted, high-definition backgrounds are breathtakingly vivid on the large screen, even more so given they were initially designed for a 3DS. This artistic approach, featuring polygonal characters dashing against painted landscapes, harks back to early 3D RPGs like Final Fantasy 7, but it shines even brighter here. The design of the character models remains largely compelling. It’s a testament to the enduring power of the art style that these chibi-style characters, created by Akihiko Yoshida, continue to exude elegance in their simplicity. Unfortunately, I couldn’t experiment with job classes to appreciate how the models look adorned in different outfits, but I eagerly anticipate that experience.

From what I can see, the battle system appears unchanged, and that suits me just fine since it’s already expertly balanced. My brief foray into an early region confirms my past experiences – the blend of Brave/Default and job-class systems generates intriguing combat scenarios, becoming even more engaging as the game progressively pushes you to exploit these systems in creative ways. This game certainly aims to make you feel like a strategic mastermind when you outmaneuver it.

The latest addition is two mini-games, which, although temporary distractions at their core, are thoughtfully designed. They both utilize the dual mouse functionality of the Switch, requiring you to manipulate both simultaneously in various ways.

The first is a rhythm game featuring a glowing connection between your two on-screen pointers. Accurately matching the rhythm involves aligning this connection with the musical cues or striking the exact notes using the pointers themselves.

The second is an airship piloting game presented in the first-person view of a pilot, where you must balance steering the ship’s wheel and attending to other tasks. It resembles Steel Battalion, but with a cute twist, as the complex controller is replaced by on-screen virtual controls.

Neither game impacts the main game, but you can display the job-class costumes unlocked in these mini-games for a touch of personalization.

I’m not sure I’ll spend much time on the mini-games. While they demonstrate the Switch 2’s mouse functionality quite well, they aren’t the main attraction. The real highlight is Bravely Default, a modern(ish) RPG that I love, getting an impressive remaster and being freed from the 3DS’s constraints. If you haven’t played it before or even if you have, this seems like the best way to enjoy it.

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2025-05-16 21:39