The chance to try again...
Heads up, this review contains spoilers !
Unlike its predecessor, the CGI opening is handled quite differently. Instead of showcasing the main cast one by one and their motives. here you get what is esentially an anime opening version of that, and it is awesome.
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay part is largely the same as before, navigating dungeons and towns, exploring the overhead map etc. There are a few minor tweaks however, such as dungeons having two tiers of height instead of one and collectibles being laid on the ground instead of in a chest. Aside from that it's pretty much the same.
COMBAT
Now this is where most of the QoL changes are present, and for good reason considering combat is the highlight of the game, just like Default.
For one the command box is decently bigger and has much smoother animations. This may not sound like much, but it definitely makes the experience more fluid in my opinion. Next is a minor one; every weapon type is more effective when used against a certain family.
For example knuckles are effective against inorganic creatures, katanas against aquatics etc.
JOBS
The list of jobs has changed noticeably, with some being cut (no spiritmaster sadge) and new ones being added. This leads to them being more specialized, but also slightly breaking the balance (if you know what you're doing of course). The overall lineup of abilities of previous jobs is also an improvement.
Freelancer now has Halfsies, a move that lets you group-cast any item with half effect. Monk has Crouching Tiger, a super powerful move that absorbs 1 BP from every party member and unleashes it on all foes.
The new jobs are also excellent additions to spice up the gameplay. One of my favorites being the Excorcist, enabling you to undo values such as HP and MP to their values from the previous turns (works on bosses too), and Hawkeye, which is basically like Spell Fencer, except a lot stronger and more versatile, enabling you to pierce P.def or imbue your weapon with the element of choice.
SOUNDTRACK
Now, I am sad to say that Revo, the previous composer, wasn't involved with this game's OST, BUT ryo did a fine job nonetheless. Certain tracks have different vibes from before but still fit their situations really well. A good example is the new asterisk battle theme; it's not fast-paced like the previous one, but instead goes for a more imposing vibe.
The overworld theme went from a super-adventurous style to a relatively chill walk-in-the-park vibe.
Just like before there is still plenty of variety, offering a track for any kind of situation. My only gripe is that the special themes all rely a lot on electric guitars, and while they are still very good themes, they lack a lot in variety and you'll only really be able to distinguish them if you actually play the game, but oh well, at least every character now has their own non-battle theme at least.
STORY
The whole story (including side quests) revolves around the main mechanic of the game : Bravely Second, Or as Magnolia explained it; the chance to try again. As the name implies, it means that everyone deserves a second chance regardless of who they are or what they did (of course applying this to the real world can be iffy but whatever it works here).
The first 4 chapters of the game you try to chase down Kaiser but fumbling most of the steps leading to the demise of your party, asterisk holders and the whole world essentially due to it being frozen in time.
BUT if you pick new game +, you'll get thrown into the scene from the beginning where Kaiser Oblivion storms the Gathelatio Sanctum. Only this time, you have a chance to try again. After a series of new shenanigans, you set out to correct the fails you've done before, drastically altering the plot.
One cool side effect of this is you can redo side quests like in Default, except this time you can get different outcomes depending on your decisions. And best part, this world loop happens only once
unlike Default's tiring 5.
However the single greatest thing in this game is possibly the best 4th wall-break in history of fiction, not even exaggarating.
Though I recommend seeing it for yourself for the best experience.
OVERALL RATING
10/10
Pros : already great combat upgraded, great cast of characters, general player friendly gameplay and vastly improved side quests.
Cons : Rebuilding the moon base (think Norende from Default) is a bit difficult considering Square abolished the online service making getting new villagers nigh impossible unless you homebrew your 3ds or such. Rest easy tho, it won't really hinder your experience much.
Heads up, this review contains spoilers !
Unlike its predecessor, the CGI opening is handled quite differently. Instead of showcasing the main cast one by one and their motives. here you get what is esentially an anime opening version of that, and it is awesome.
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay part is largely the same as before, navigating dungeons and towns, exploring the overhead map etc. There are a few minor tweaks however, such as dungeons having two tiers of height instead of one and collectibles being laid on the ground instead of in a chest. Aside from that it's pretty much the same.
COMBAT
Now this is where most of the QoL changes are present, and for good reason considering combat is the highlight of the game, just like Default.
For one the command box is decently bigger and has much smoother animations. This may not sound like much, but it definitely makes the experience more fluid in my opinion. Next is a minor one; every weapon type is more effective when used against a certain family.
For example knuckles are effective against inorganic creatures, katanas against aquatics etc.
JOBS
The list of jobs has changed noticeably, with some being cut (no spiritmaster sadge) and new ones being added. This leads to them being more specialized, but also slightly breaking the balance (if you know what you're doing of course). The overall lineup of abilities of previous jobs is also an improvement.
Freelancer now has Halfsies, a move that lets you group-cast any item with half effect. Monk has Crouching Tiger, a super powerful move that absorbs 1 BP from every party member and unleashes it on all foes.
The new jobs are also excellent additions to spice up the gameplay. One of my favorites being the Excorcist, enabling you to undo values such as HP and MP to their values from the previous turns (works on bosses too), and Hawkeye, which is basically like Spell Fencer, except a lot stronger and more versatile, enabling you to pierce P.def or imbue your weapon with the element of choice.
SOUNDTRACK
Now, I am sad to say that Revo, the previous composer, wasn't involved with this game's OST, BUT ryo did a fine job nonetheless. Certain tracks have different vibes from before but still fit their situations really well. A good example is the new asterisk battle theme; it's not fast-paced like the previous one, but instead goes for a more imposing vibe.
The overworld theme went from a super-adventurous style to a relatively chill walk-in-the-park vibe.
Just like before there is still plenty of variety, offering a track for any kind of situation. My only gripe is that the special themes all rely a lot on electric guitars, and while they are still very good themes, they lack a lot in variety and you'll only really be able to distinguish them if you actually play the game, but oh well, at least every character now has their own non-battle theme at least.
STORY
The whole story (including side quests) revolves around the main mechanic of the game : Bravely Second, Or as Magnolia explained it; the chance to try again. As the name implies, it means that everyone deserves a second chance regardless of who they are or what they did (of course applying this to the real world can be iffy but whatever it works here).
The first 4 chapters of the game you try to chase down Kaiser but fumbling most of the steps leading to the demise of your party, asterisk holders and the whole world essentially due to it being frozen in time.
BUT if you pick new game +, you'll get thrown into the scene from the beginning where Kaiser Oblivion storms the Gathelatio Sanctum. Only this time, you have a chance to try again. After a series of new shenanigans, you set out to correct the fails you've done before, drastically altering the plot.
One cool side effect of this is you can redo side quests like in Default, except this time you can get different outcomes depending on your decisions. And best part, this world loop happens only once
unlike Default's tiring 5.
However the single greatest thing in this game is possibly the best 4th wall-break in history of fiction, not even exaggarating.
Though I recommend seeing it for yourself for the best experience.
OVERALL RATING
10/10
Pros : already great combat upgraded, great cast of characters, general player friendly gameplay and vastly improved side quests.
Cons : Rebuilding the moon base (think Norende from Default) is a bit difficult considering Square abolished the online service making getting new villagers nigh impossible unless you homebrew your 3ds or such. Rest easy tho, it won't really hinder your experience much.
LoneSpeedsterDX
8 months ago