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Fairy sales - Bravely Default ships one million worldwide
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is proving a commercial hit as well as a critical one, shipping an impressive one million copies worldwide. Square Enix announced (via Dengeki Online) the 3DS JRPG shifted 400,000 in Japan and 600,000 overseas, including download sales. While it has its roots entrenched in old-school Final Fantasy, Bravely Default is still a new property, so the figures are strong. They've already made a similarly strong impression on president Yosuke Matsuda, who said the game's global sales made his company reconsider its approach to JRPG development.
Japan's new Bravely Default demo offers four free chapters
There are demos, and then there are demos that make half the game free. Step in a new Bravely Default demo out July 28 in Japan, which will let 3DS owners play chapters 1-4 of the Square Enix game without spending a single yen. So that's something like 30 hours at least of high-quality, old-school JRPG action for free. That, Square Enix, is some demo. Of course, you don't get that kind of offer without a catch, but it's only the exclusion of voice acting. Japanese audio is added back in with a 2,000 yen download (around $19.62 converted), which also adds the rest of the game with saves carried over. A multilingual alternative with English audio will be available starting August 7, priced 2,500 yen ($24.52.)
Square Enix to focus on JRPGs, niche appeal following Bravely Default's success
Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda mused on a potential shift in the company's focus in a recent interview with Nikkei Trendy (via Siliconera), admitting that the publisher "lost [its] focus" during recent attempts to engineer mass-market games for a worldwide audience. "Regardless of whether they're for smartphone or console, there's a difficult element to developing global titles, so we'll be making them without focusing too much on the 'global' aspect," Matsuda told Nikkei Trendy. "For example, in the past, when we developed console games with a worldwide premise, we lost our focus, and not only did they end up being games that weren't for the Japanese, but they ended up being incomplete titles that weren't even fit for a global audience." Matsuda specifically cited Io Interactive's Hitman: Absolution as a victim of this practice. "The development team for Hitman: Absolution really struggled in this regard," Matsuda admitted. "They implemented a vast amount of 'elements for the mass' instead of for the core fans, as a way to try getting as many new players possible. It was a strategy to gain mass appeal. However, what makes the Hitman series good is its appeal to core gamers, and many fans felt the lack of focus in that regard, which ended up making it struggle in sales." Square Enix reported disappointing sales for Hitman: Absolution and fellow mainstream-appeal effort Tomb Raider last year, resulting in a corporate restructuring and a shift in its publishing strategy. The worldwide commercial success of Square Enix's Nintendo 3DS JRPG Bravely Default has since made Matsuda reconsider the company's approach. "Bravely Default [...] ended up selling well all around the world," he notes. "For the new games we'll be developing from this point on, while this may sound a bit extreme, we've been talking about making them as heavy JRPGs. I believe that way, we can better focus on our target, which will also bring better results." [Image: Square Enix]
'Stiq Tips: Bravely Default Guide
Bravely Default is one of the best Final Fantasy games I've played in a long while (and Joystiq agrees). Yeah, I said it! With a tale of heroes and crystals, an open-ended job system, and even an airship, this "technically not Final Fantasy" RPG evokes the most nostalgic feelings of Square's glory days. Of course, along with all of that old school charm comes a few pretty tough concepts, which I'll go over in detail to help you with your quest. There will be no spoilers at all until the very end of the guide, which will be appropriately marked – and even then, they're pretty mild. Now that Bravely Default is officially available in North America, hopefully this guide will help you along your adventure!
Bravely Default review: Crystal Clear
Bravely Default is almost to the Final Fantasy series what Casino Royale was to James Bond films. Unlike the 2006 film, the so-billed spiritual sequel to Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light doesn't convey its modernizations immediately. In its first hours, Bravely Default is like a dry homage to the games Square Enix's series was built on. There's no cold-blooded drowning in a sink, just four heroes, pre-rendered backdrops, turn-based combat, and phoenix downs. Name or no, it's soon obvious the game is a Final Fantasy, and at first little more than familiar. The renovations are there, though, and as they unravel a maturity reveals itself. No, not the gritty maturity of a complicated spy, but a grownup warmth, an understanding that gaming is not what it was in 1987 or 1997 or even 2006, but it's not dissimilar. The paradigm shift in Bravely Default is not making Final Fantasy into something new, but reaching back and dragging the series' past into the modern day – with care, that is. Like Casino Royale, the 3DS game trips over old foibles, but make no mistake: Bravely Default is a return to form in more ways than one.
Bravely Default distils its story into a brief trailer
A fantasy world plagued by evil? Check. Powerful magic crystals? Check. A party of four heroes to save the day? Check. Lots of patently ridiculous names? Double check. Bravely Default has the hallmarks a Square JRPG, there's no doubt of that. The 3DS game is two weeks out from hitting North America on February 7. In the meantime, check out the eShop demo to play a side story that's not in the game itself.
Bravely Default outfits, ages altered in Western release
North American 3DS owners won't be graced with the presence of Bravely Default until February 7, but someone with a European copy of the game has noticed changes to outfits and ages of certain characters. The above image was posted by an IGN forum member and showcases the same outfit in different versions of the game, with the Western release's outfits being on the left side. The Final Fantasy Wiki also notes a boost of three years' age for the protagonists, making Bravely Default's youngest stars like the above Edea 18 years old instead of 15. Of course, tweaking content during a game's journey to Western audiences is nothing new. The sprite for Siren was covered up in the US release of Final Fantasy 6, for instance. The age bump might also be an effort to avoid problems like those experienced by Dead or Alive: Dimensions, which was not released in parts of Europe due to some of its cast being underage while appearing in risque situations.
Bravely series' success depends on Bravely Second, producer says
While Western fans continue to wait patiently for the February 7 debut of 3DS roleplaying epic Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, series producer Tomoya Asano believes that the future of his franchise hinges on its sequel, Bravely Second. "I believe that the future of the Bravely series will really depend on the success of Bravely Second," Asano told 4Gamer in an interview translated by Siliconera. "With that in mind, the year 2014 will be a very important year. Without forgetting the major premise of making a good game, I'd like to keep doing more, so please keep an eye out for us!" Though a Western release of Bravely Second - assuming it's successful enough to warrant one - is still a ways off, yesterday brought us a free demo of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. The price alone should be motivation enough for you to try the 3DS RPG, though keep in mind that some of the game's more racy outfits have been given a modest aesthetic for the English-speaking world. As Destructoid illustrates, cat girls aren't quite as slinky outside of Japan and bare midriffs are much less bare.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Bravely Default demo, Mega Man X2
This week's eShop content will look largely familiar to those who follow these posts on a regular basis. Some of this week's offerings have already been live on their respective eShops in between the holidays. Save for Mega Man X2 on the Wii U Virtual Console and a demo for upcoming 3DS RPG Bravely Default, this week's content dump is comprised largely of stuff Nintendo announced last week – like Dr. Luigi (which launched two days ago), Super Punch-Out!! and Mario Tennis. The full version of Bravely Default launches on the eShop and at retail on February 7. There is also a limited-time sale on Atlus games to consider. From now until January 6 at 12pm ET, select games in the Shin Megami Tensei and Etrian Odyssey series are on sale, as is 2D brawl-em-up Code of Princess. Hop on past the break for the full list of this week's eShop content.
Bravely producer wants a new Bravely every year
North America still hasn't gotten its hot little hands on Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, and already the producer of its sequel, Bravely Second, is hoping to annualize the series. In a recent interview with Dengeki (via Siliconera), producer Tomoya Asano said he'd like to see a new Bravely game every year. Specifically, when Asano was asked when Bravely Second will be released, he noted his hopes for making Bravely an annual series, meaning he hopes for a 2014 release for Bravely Second. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is slated to arrive in North America on February 7. A side-story demo will arrive on the 3DS eShop on January 2.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy to get side-story demo on January 2
A demo for Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will reach the eShop on January 2 and follow a side-story not featured in the game itself, Nintendo announced during their Nintendo Direct event this morning. The full game will is set to fly on February 7 and is getting a statue-less collector's edition.
Bravely Second details attend magic university
More details for Bravely Second, the sequel to Square Enix's RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy announced just last week, have surfaced. The game's familiar locale is that of Luxendarc, "several years" after the Warriors of Light saved the world, according to a translation of the game's official site provided by Gematsu. Specifically, players will be concerned with the "magic university town" of Istantarl, built under the decree of the Lakrika prime minister on the Nadarakes continent in the game's world. The professors of the university helped to develop a "new structure of magic" at Istantarl, indicating that the game may feature some new magic-based battle elements for players to enjoy. Additionally, the silver-haired lady's moniker Magnolia isn't short for "Steel Magnolias" like we'd hoped, but rather "Devil King Buster Magnolia Arch." Magnolia "appears in unexpected places at unexpected times," and also has a "daredevil attitude." Magnolia is the lone survivor of the moon nation, has strong fighting skills and also rescued Tiz Oria, one of the Bravely Default's primary characters. Bravely Second will launch on 3DS in Japan at a to-be-determined date.
Bravely Default sequel adds new character to a familiar world
While the US patiently awaits the arrival of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy on February 7, this week's Shonen Jump magazine (via @Kazu4281) in Japan has already outed the sequel. Titled Bravely Second, the follow-up is set in the same world as the original game and introduces a new silver-haired character named Magnolia. Unfortunately, that's all we have to go on right now. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, a 3DS RPG from Silicon Studio and published by Square Enix, is the spiritual successor to Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light and employs similar job and battle systems found in Final Fantasy 5. The western localization of Bravely Default includes updated content and tweaks from the Japanese re-release, Bravely Default: For the Sequel.
Bravely Default launching on February 7 in US, gets collector's edition
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will glide to US shores on February 7 and bring a collector's edition with it, today's Nintendo Direct revealed. Bravely Default: Collector's Edition will include the game, an art book, a soundtrack CD and 34 AR cards. Unfortunately, the statue of Agnes included in the collector's edition for the UK was not mentioned. The US version of Bravely Default will include the extra content that was added to the game's Japanese re-release.
Bravely Default Deluxe Collector's Edition has art, music, tiny statue
Nintendo UK's Twitter account tweeted a picture of Bravely Default: Deluxe Collector's Edition for Europe this week, revealing its contents but not the involved price tag. The game itself will reach Western RPG enthusiasts as Bravely Default: For The Sequel, a re-release of the original game with updated content and optional microtransactions. Other than a copy of Bravely Default, the deluxe bundle will include a figurine of one of the game's protagonists, Agnes, as well as an artbook, soundtrack CD and 34 AR cards. The actual purpose of these cards is as mysterious as the bundle's price, but Siliconera's test of an AR card for the original game spawned a 3D model of what appears to be an earlier version of Agnes.
Bravely Default: For The Sequel adds time-saving microtransactions
When Bravely Default: For The Sequel makes its debut, one of the new features it includes will be the ability to stop time during battles - assuming you're either very patient or willing to shell out cash for the privilege. This new system, dubbed "Bravely Second," allows for the aforementioned time-stopping antics, but relies on your current level of "SP." Once you've used your special power, your SP decreases. You can gain more SP by putting your 3DS into sleep mode, though as Siliconera points out, this is a slow process, with one SP point being added for every eight hours of idle time. If you'd rather not wait however, there's always the option to purchase potions from the Nintendo 3DS eShop that refill your SP. It's currently unclear how expensive these potions will be, but producer Tomoya Asano assures fans that this system is a boon, rather than a hindrance. "Bravely Second isn't a de-merit, but a system that gives players an advantage. It's convenient, and very powerful," Asano told Siliconera. Bravely Default: For The Second is slated for release in Japan this December. Currently there is no word on when or if the handheld roleplaying game will hit Western territories.
Bravely Default coming to Europe on December 6, Q1 2014 in US
Square Enix's Bravely Default: Where the Fairy Flies will be released for the Nintendo 3DS on December 6 in Europe, Nintendo announced today as part of its Nintendo Direct presentation. Hitting the west as a localized version of the expanded Japanese rerelease Bravely Default: For the Sequel, Where the Fairy Flies offers a number of improvements over the original game, including multiple save slots and an adjustable difficulty level. Nintendo didn't nail down a final North American release date for Bravely Default, but notes that it will premiere stateside during the first quarter of 2014. [Update: Date corrected.]
Bravely Default launch trailer wallows in RPG nostalgia
If your expectations for a Square Enix roleplaying game are largely based on a childhood spent riding Chocobos, in turn-based combat or summoning Bahamut, the new Japanese launch trailer for Bravely Default: Flying Fairy should be right up your alley.
Bravely Default western release includes updated 'For the Sequel' content
Square Enix confirmed this week that the North American and European versions of the Nintendo 3DS RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will include updated and expanded content from a recently announced Japanese re-release. The updated Japanese version, titled Bravely Default: For the Sequel, will hit retail in December. For the Sequel boasts a variety of improvements over last year's Bravely Default, including updated graphics, new story elements, and numerous mechanical tweaks. The re-release also adds multiple save slots and new options that allow players to adjust difficulty and enemy encounter rates. Bravely Default will premiere in North America in 2014. A European launch is scheduled for later this year.
Bravely Default coming out in North America
Square Enix's 3DS RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will be released in North America, in partnership with Nintendo. It's expected in 2014, which is ... a long time from now!
