By The Switch 2 launch roster isn’t overflowing with options. While Mario Kart World is the spotlight title, the few others set to release on June 5 are predominantly remakes of older games. Among these, Bravely Default stands out, as it’s an HD remaster of a title that’s over ten years old rather than recent games like Street Fighter 6 or Cyberpunk 2077 that can finally function on Nintendo systems. Nonetheless, Bravely Default is a timeless RPG masterpiece, and although it feels peculiar to reminisce about 3DS classics, Switch 2‘s Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster promises to be an excellent method to experience it.
For those unacquainted, Bravely Default was a twist on the traditional Final Fantasy structure, essentially being Final Fantasy in all but its title. It featured four champions of light, sacred crystals, and all the other essentials. It boasted a comprehensive class system that motivated players to discover overpowering combinations, and it was among the first to allow expedited encounters and auto-battles—now standard features in classic RPG remakes—or even to disable them altogether. The game referred to one of its combat mechanics, enabling players to “Default” (defend and accumulate an extra Brave Point or BP) or “Brave” (utilize additional BP, or even incur BP debt, to execute extra actions). Hence, when it came to level-grinding, you could Brave consistently against lower-level foes, whereas more formidable opponents and bosses demanded a more thoughtful strategy.
This was followed by the semi-sequel, Bravely Second: End Layer, along with a full sequel, Bravely Second. Distinctive from the Final Fantasy series, the Bravely games are set in a unified canonical realm, allowing sequels to expand upon the narratives and continuity established previously.
However, like a significant portion of the 3DS collection, Bravely Default is not very accessible anymore. You require functioning 3DS hardware and a physical game cartridge, and it was never made available on other platforms like Steam, in contrast to Bravely Default 2. This situation makes it an ideal candidate for an HD remaster, offering fans a chance to own it in a format that will endure into the future. After a brief hands-on experience, I am convinced that Bravely Default will be my most-played Switch 2 title aside from Mario Kart at launch.
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To begin, the game appears stunning. The prerendered artistic backgrounds are remarkable and colorful on the large display, which is even more astonishing given they were initially designed for a 3DS. This visual approach—with polygonal characters set against a painted foreground—harks back to early 3D RPGs like Final Fantasy 7, yet it looks especially beautiful here. Furthermore, the design of the character models themselves largely endures. It speaks to the robustness of the artistic style that these characters—compact chibi figures rendered in the unmistakable manner of Akihiko Yoshida—still exude charm in their simplicity. I wasn’t able to modify the job classes to see how these models appear in their various garb, but I’m excited to explore that.
The combat system seems unchanged, which suits me perfectly since it’s already very well-balanced. I only ventured into an early segment, but my background assures me that the mix of the Brave/Default and job-class systems forms engaging combat challenges, particularly when the game prompts you to exploit its systems fully. This title genuinely aims to make you feel like you’ve outwitted it.
The latest addition is a couple of minigames that are intriguing, even if they’re short-lived distractions. Both utilize the Switch 2 mouse functionality, demanding you to use both simultaneously in various ways. The first is a rhythm game with a glowing connection between your two cursors, meaning aligning the tether to coincide with musical cues or striking precise notes with the cursors is essential. The second involves piloting an airship from a first-person viewpoint, requiring you to steer the ship’s wheel while managing other tasks. Think Steel Battalion, but in a playful format, with its extensive controller mirrored on display. Neither minigame impacts the main game, but you can apply the job-class outfits in these minigames as you unlock them for some flair.
I doubt I will engage much with the minigames. They are entertaining showcases for the Switch 2 mouse functionality, yet they are not the main attraction. The real treasure is Bravely Default, one of my preferred modern RPGs, receiving a splendid revival and finally being released from the confines of the 3DS. If you haven’t tried it before, or even if you have, this seems to be the ultimate way to experience it.
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