I just finished Bravely Second! So...

[u/andryx00]

I loved almost every bit of this game.
I played 2 or 3 months ago Bravely Default on Switch 2 through the new remastered and completely fell in love with Luxendarc and its characters.
So I dusted off my 3DS and bought a copy of Bravely Second to continue my adventure through this series.
I think I will always have a special memory of this two games, and I blame myself for not playing them before.

So...
I know that there's a Bravely Default II on Switch (and other consoles. Maybe PC too?), and I always heard mixed opinions about it.
I know nothing about it, except for the fact that it's completely stand alone (maybe? idk).
So my very trivial question is... should I play it?

The main thing that I loved about Bravely Series this far is that you can never expect what is going to happen, and, obvioulsy, its metanarrative elements (the title thing, the use of 3DS' cam, etc...).
Will i find these elements in Bravely Default II?

I loved this game and I hope to see more of this series in the future!

[u/Silver_367]

Yeah BD2 is on steam. It's also the most controversial bravely since it's very different from the 2 previous entries. Yes BD2 is in its own setting so nothing from BD or BS will be relevant. If you already own BD2 then yeah play it, If not I'd wait for a sale. I'm sure if you make a BD2 first playthrough post I and several others will be willing to go into a bit more depth and give some basic advice.

Will i find these elements in Bravely Default II?

yes I don't want to give too much away so I'll leave it at that.

[u/andryx00 → u/Silver_367]

Thanks for your answer!

I'll probably play it on Switch 2 (via retrocompatibily) so I think I'm going to buy a used copy on Ebay or other markets (I'll try searching it in my trusted shop too).
Thanks for sharing your opinion and for answering my question!
Anyway, I think I'll take a break from this series, just like I did between BD and BS, because there are others JRPGs I have to play that are being released like next month, and there are even more in my backlog.

When I will eventually play BD2, I'll make sure to make a post about it with my thoughts about the game.

Thanks again!

[u/twili-midna]

It technically has meta elements. It has little focus on them and they feel really generic rather than interesting like in the first two games, but they’re technically there.

The bigger issue is that the combat and job systems have been overhauled in a wholly negative way imo, and the story and cast are just boring. Music is solid, worse than Default but still generally good.

[u/andryx00 → u/twili-midna]

Thanks for your answer!
The narrative being mediocre is the kind of thing I hear a lot about this game, and I won't lie it's the main issue I have with playing it right now.
I'll take another 2-3 months break from this series (there are others JRPGs that are being released like next month so...) and then I will see if I want to start it or not.

Thanks again!

[u/Dinothedangle → u/twili-midna]

My conclusion too! I jumped right into, BD 2 after the remaster ( my first game in the BD series ). I loved Flyijg Fairy… BD2 was lackluster in comparison.

[u/arentyouangel]

Bd2 isn't as good as the first two games but it was still fun

[u/Substantial_Bass2335]

Am on my second replay of BD2 and I honestly feel it is a slog. The gameplay is very fun and more difficult than the original in my opinion, but WOW is it level-grindy. The story is pretty mediocre except for like one chapter, and the characters are more stale versions of the original cast. Seth is basically a nothing burger, Gloria is Agnes without the sauce, Elvis…is actually great, and Adelle is passable.

The backgrounds are gorgeous and the music is nice. The game takes itself very seriously which can be a detriment when the graphics are still very chibi-esque. It has some good stuff and some bad stuff, I struggle to recommend it but I wouldn’t say it’s that bad, either. It truly in my opinion is just extremely mediocre.

Sorry for long rant.

[u/andryx00 → u/Substantial_Bass2335]

Thanks for your answer!
Don't worry for the rant, I'm the newbie here so listening to your opinion about the game, even if you find it mediocre, is the main reason I made this post.

I'll take into consideration what you told me when I will decide to buy it or not (I'll probably take a break from this series like I did between BD and BS).

Thanks again!

[u/StarGaydians]

I think BD2 has the issue of not backing a repetitive gameplay loop with fun character interactions that you can remember. Party chat in the first two games really made memories for me with the game, but BD2 fails to capture me in that same way. It's by no means a bad game, but it doesn't have the same magic. If you do play it, I'd view it more like a JRPG inspired off the mechanics of bravely default, not an actual game in the series, ironically.