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| Bravely Default | |
|---|---|
| Title | Bravely Default |
| Developer | Silicon Studio |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Director | Tetsuya Takahashi |
| Producer | Tomoya Asano |
| Composer | Revo |
| Platforms | Nintendo 3DS |
| Release | 2012 (Japan), 2014 (International) |
| Genre | Role-playing video game |
Bravely Default Bravely Default is a role-playing video game developed by Silicon Studio and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo 3DS. The game draws on influences from Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, Romancing SaGa and Tactics Ogre, blending turn-based combat, job systems and narrative elements inspired by creators such as Tetsuya Takahashi, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and studios like Level-5 and Monolith Soft. The title became notable after releases in Japan, North America, and Europe and led to sequels and spin-offs involving companies such as Nintendo and licensing partners including Koei Tecmo.
Gameplay centers on exploration of environments reminiscent of Ivalice-style tilesets from Final Fantasy XII and menu-driven combat like Final Fantasy VI, combining a job system similar to Final Fantasy V with a risk-reward mechanic echoing concepts from XCOM and Darkest Dungeon. Players control a party navigating towns inspired by cities like Vienna and Venice in overworlds akin to maps from Dragon Quest VIII and encounter random battles evoking Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana mechanics. The "Brave" and "Default" mechanics introduce action-economy choices comparable to Dicey Dungeons and Mega Man Battle Network's chip systems, while job abilities reference classes from Final Fantasy Tactics and progression systems used in Persona 3 and Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4. Resource management involves items and equipment reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and crafting approaches seen in Rune Factory.
The narrative follows a conflict over crystals and a prophecy invoking motifs from Final Fantasy I and the crystal mythos associated with Square Enix works, intersecting political intrigue similar to Final Fantasy Tactics and world-threatening phenomena like Xenogears and Chrono Trigger. Themes of rebellion, faith, and sacrifice draw parallels to events in Romancing SaGa 2, Skies of Arcadia, and literature such as Paradise Lost as mediated by interactive storytelling techniques used in Lost Odyssey and The Last Story. Major plot beats involve pilgrimage, coup d'état scenarios reminiscent of the French Revolution and dynastic disputes like those in Game of Thrones, while supernatural antagonists evoke entities from Final Fantasy VII and Shin Megami Tensei.
Protagonists and companions echo archetypes from Final Fantasy VI and party-driven RPGs like Chrono Cross and Tales of Symphonia, featuring leaders, mages, rogues and support figures comparable to characters from Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5. Character arcs include betrayals and redemptions reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 3 and political maneuvering akin to The Witcher 3's side quests, with interpersonal drama similar to Fire Emblem: Awakening and Star Ocean franchises. Antagonists channel themes from villains in Final Fantasy XIII and Mass Effect 2, while supporting cast members provide quests and worldbuilding comparable to NPCs in Skyrim and Fallout: New Vegas.
Development was led by producer Tomoya Asano and director Tetsuya Takahashi at Silicon Studio with publishing support from Square Enix, drawing on industry veterans from projects like Final Fantasy and Xenogears. The team collaborated with artists and writers influenced by studios such as Clover Studio and Grasshopper Manufacture, and used middleware and engines related to tools employed by Level-5 and PlatinumGames. Production cycles and localization efforts mirrored processes seen with Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Guardian, involving regional teams from Japan, United States, and Europe.
The soundtrack, composed by Revo of Sound Horizon and Linked Horizon, incorporates orchestral and choral elements similar to scores from Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura, echoing motifs heard in Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts. Themes employ leitmotifs comparable to Koji Kondo's approaches in The Legend of Zelda series and dramatic cueing like Hans Zimmer's film scores, while battle tracks recall rhythmic patterns from Hidden] composers in JRPG history such as Yasunori Mitsuda and Masashi Hamauzu. Vocal performances and choral arrangements mirror practices used in productions like NieR:Automata and Final Fantasy XIV.
The title launched in Japan in 2012 and received international releases in North America and Europe in 2014, with distribution channels through Nintendo eShop and retail partners including GameStop and Amazon. Marketing campaigns involved showcases at events like Tokyo Game Show, E3, and Gamescom, and editorial coverage from outlets such as IGN, GameSpot, and Polygon. Post-release support included patches and bundle editions comparable to releases of Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster and collaborations with franchises like Monster Hunter for promotional crossover content.
Critics compared the game favorably to classics such as Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, and Dragon Quest V, praising its combat innovations and art direction influenced by Studio Ghibli aesthetics and Yoshitaka Amano-style illustration. Reviews in Famitsu, Edge, and Eurogamer highlighted narrative ambition and soundtrack by Revo, while some outlets criticized difficulty spikes reminiscent of Dark Souls or balance issues seen in Xenosaga. The commercial success prompted sequels and related titles involving Nintendo and Square Enix collaborations and awarded the team recognition at industry ceremonies similar to the Japan Game Awards and The Game Awards.
Category:Role-playing video games