Bravely Default 2is the next in a string of games to pay homage to Square Enix’sFinal Fantasy. The fantasy title features many elements that are present throughout the mainlineFinal Fantasygames, and this spin-off series might be what helps carry the torch for classicFinal Fantasy’slegacy into the future.
AsBravely Default 2’srelease quickly approaches, currently set for August 03, 2025, many players are likely digging into the demo currently available on the Switch and checking out any new information likenewest trailer revealing new jobs. As a result, it is worth taking a moment to consider howBravely Default 2is continuing a series that is carrying on the legacy of the classicFinal Fantasygames.
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Carrying On From Classic Final Fantasy
When the firstBravely Defaultreleased for the 3Ds back in 2012, players were treated to a charming adventure with beautiful hand-drawn environments and a battle system that harkened back to the old days of turn-basedFinal Fantasygames. The title doesn’t bear theFinal Fantasyname but the series carries on many traditional elements of aFinal Fantasygame. The items available for purchase bear many of the same names like the Phoenix Down to resurrect an unconscious party member, and the game utilizes a job system with many classes represented that were available inFinal Fantasy 3andFinal Fantasy Tactics.
The job system includes many familiar classes like the black, white, and red mages, and jobs adapted from older games like the original’s Valkyrie class as an updated Dragoon. The job system was complete with a wardrobe change upon selecting a job, and allowed for player characters to assign sub-jobs in order to maintain skills learned from each class. This again is adapted from the systems inTacticsandFF3. These mechanics have been expanded on and eager players can try the system out in thefinalBravely Default 2demothat’s available now on the Switch.
Another integral element of theFinal Fantasyseries that is on full display inBravely Defaultare the magical crystals that exert influence over the game world. InBravely Default,the crystals have direct influences over the regions where they reside like in the newly shown offsnowy country of Rimedahl. It seems thatFinal Fantasymay be moving away from the crystals direct influence on their game worlds as evidenced by the first trailer for the upcomingFinal Fantasy 16.
Story and gameplay mechanics inBravely Default 2are not only adapted but innovated on fromFinal Fantasytitles. In a fun twist to the turn-based gameplay mechanics ofFinal Fantasy’s past, the Brave and Default system encourages strategy in major battles and helps players grinding for levels and gear quickly defeat mobs of lower creatures. A Brave allows for a party member to act more than once in a turn at the cost of losing an action the next turn. Default allows them to assume a defensive position and store an extra action for later. The system is interesting inBravely Defaultand its sequelBravely Seconddespite that game garnering backlashfrom some fans. These mechanics are a great way for Square Enix to continue innovating on classic styles of play while moving away with its main series.
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Final Fantasy and Bravely Default
As the mainlineFinal Fantasygames continue to move away from their traditional turn-based gameplay partly to appeal to a wider audience,Bravely Defaultseems to be a great way for Square Enix to separate the gameplay styles into each of its two related-but-distinct series. It seems with thebreak away ofBravely Default 2that Square Enix may be intending to set the franchise aside as something similar toFinal Fantasy.Having two games set in a similar universe but with different frameworks appealing to different (and sometimes the same) fans could be a good move for Square Enix.
If the studio does continue theBravely Defaultseries in a manner similar toFinal Fantasy, fans could see separate worlds and storylines in each newBravely Defaulttitle much the same way the multitude ofFinal Fantasygames do. Thedemo forBravely Default 2is already giving many fans a glimpse at the new storyline that separates itself fromBravely DefaultandBravely Second. This could allow for Square Enix to continue innovating on traditional gameplay without the move to real-time action like upcomingFinal Fantasy 16. The legacy ofFinal Fantasyis vast, andBravely Default 2is set to help carry its torch moving forward.
Bravely Default 2releases on Aug 01, 2025
