Square Enix had the great bomb thrown into the skies for the masses of JRPG players when it announced Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster for the Nintendo Switch 2. With this almost classic turn-based RPG and famous Brave and Default battle system comes some new treats for players: minigames.
The game had been a sleeper hit on Nintendo 3DS, somewhat resembling traditional JRPG mechanics but with a twist in risk-and-reward-type gameplay: A player can “Default” and take a defensive stance, storing multiple turns for later use, or “Brave” and spend all stored turns at once on attacks. In contrast, the HD Remaster simply beautifies the game and adds quality of life features as well as some extra features in the bundle.
However, backlashes are present. Mixed reactions were cast on the announcement tweet upon its revealing by Square Enix. Some, like @PhillyBeatzU, expressed full excitement: “EVERYONE NEEDS TO BUY & PLAY so I get my next part on the Switch 2!” While others held back in excitement: “I would love a physical with game on cartridge fully!” said @statesminds, and @ivitoquivito echoed the sentiments: “I can’t wait for the physical release to get my copy!”
Oh, and those key cards are the real problem. Quite a few outright stated in their replies that they would refuse to support the game were it to come with digital key cards. Drilling right into it, @HawkPigXII said, “Waiting on a deep sale on the digital, no way I’m supporting game key cards,” and @BitingRaccoon followed with, “We know it’s out, but we don’t want game key cards.” Ouch.
Some were just enjoying seeing the game once again in HD: @GenesissVII was singing its praises: “It’s been a pleasure to play so far, what a game!” Others, like @jfs0903, wished the in-game character models would look as pretty as the key art, while @alion1776, for some utterly strange reason, took a detour into calling out Square Enix’s profile picture choices. Priorities.
The series always has had a loyal fandom behind it, so naturally, many already have the next installment on their minds. “Bought it day one, and hoping for Second: End Layer to get its time to shine,” said @KawaiiPorkchop with no hesitation. Then there’s @Sarit561 begging, “We need a Bravely Second Remaster so pls suck it up and boycott with other games.”
Regarding exclusivity, @EndymionYT hopes: “Hopefully this comes to PlayStation one day like Octopath did,” whilst @Traumvita just said, “Gamepass or skip.”
So what are they saying? Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster gives a good opportunity to any classic JRPG fan with a twist if you can stomach digital-only—or just hold out long enough for a physical copy. And if all works out great sales-wise, maybe Square Enix will finally throw a second slot for Bravely Second Remaster. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Excuse me while I spam Brave commands again and hope I don’t actually get destroyed by some random encounter. Again.
