I'd write a review of my own, but this really covers most of what I have to say
A few things to add:
- This actually understates how badly the plot gets botched in the engame
- The UI is kind of sub-optimal. In particular, there's no quick way to check all of the buffs/nerfs on a character, despite it being entirely plausible that there's over a dozen active
- There's no tents and save points don't heal. This becomes a huge problem around chapter 3 or so when you stop being take out the random encounters without using MP. So you turn off encounters and grind when you reach a boss you can't beat
- Speaking of which, you really do have to grind. The game expects you to be at level 99 and have figured out the strongest ability combinations by the end
I really did rather like the game, but it has some glaring design flaws
Hylarn, you might want to elaborate more on the "no quick way to check all of the buffs/nerfs" part, because being able to check them in just two actions (move the circle pad left or right, press A) doesn't seem all that slow to me. On a side note, do you prefer seeing the good points listed first, or last. Personally, I'd prefer to see them listed last, because you can only go up after seeing all the bad.
...I missed being able to check buffs like that. Though there's still other UI problems, including that not being obvious
My preferred review format is generally good points, bad points, overall summary. But I don't think it matters that much as long as everything gets stated
There are tutorial missions in the menu wear you save and work on norende village that teaches you UI stuff like that. So it is pretty obvious if you pay attention.
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Lots of potential wasted - mild spoilers ahead
Bravely Default is a return to the old school JRPG days of turn-based strategies, grinding, and job systems. Even "Awakening the Crystals to save the world" is back. The good news is that this game plays homage to its roots while also subverting some pretty common old Final Fantasy tropes. You're still awakening crystals but... is it really a good thing?
Unfortunately, the deeper you get into the game the more frustrating the above gets. Once you awaken all the crystals you're not treated to a brand new area to explore with brand new challenges - you're brought back to the same place to do the exact same quests all over again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
At this point most of the sidequests and battles become optional but really, that's not a compliment. The story grinds to a halt and the characters spend most of the time wandering about their strange new (old) world until the same character gives them a shocking new piece of information they themselves had touched on before.
And this is where the game really struggles. The four main characters rarely question anything that goes against their already-presumed beliefs and yet seem to be aware that something is wrong. But none of the four question it, or try anything different, they just awaken more crystals. The plot runs on everyone holding onto the Idiot Ball as tightly as possible. The shocking twist has already been dangled so many times that it's not a relief when all is explained - it's just frustration that it took so long to get there. So much of the plot could have been avoided if the main antagonists had actually had a conversation with the main four so naturally, no one tries to hold a conversation and instead go for an all-out battle.
Good points: - Job abilities and classes give a lot of customization room - Grinding is simplified via auto-battle - Gorgeous game with fitting music - First four chapters are a welcome play on already-established Final Fantasy tropes - Many bosses are puzzles as opposed to straight brawls - You can adjust the difficulty and encounter rate
Bad points: - Plot relies on forced drama and the characters remaining unaware - Post-Ch 4 is exceedingly tedious - Most background information has to be read in notes an D's journal - No real optional sidequests or hidden areas