Famitsu spoke with Bravely Default II producer Masashi Takahashi about the game’s demo which was initially released back in March 2020.
Mr. Takahashi talked about improvements they made due to the feedback from fans. He admitted he often found himself ashamed at how often he found himself apologising while reading survey responses from fans.
Improving the final product
The list of things we changed was endless. To put it simply, we pulled the camera back slightly in dungeons. People who played the demo felt it was too easy to get lost in dungeons and that they got attacked by off-screen monsters. So we addressed those concerns by pulling the camera back.
We also cleaned up the faces on character icons in shops and menus. We didn’t change the models or anything. We just adjusted the shadows and such to make things look nicer. Additionally, we added the ability to compare new weapons and armor in shops. I’m kind of embarrassed to say this, but this is a feature that should’ve been in the game. We just weren’t able to implement it in time for the [first] demo.
I was ashamed at how often I found myself apologizing while reading survey responses from fans. With that in mind, however, I’m also somewhat relieved. It reconfirmed that this was the right direction for the final product.
About Bravely Default II
Four heroes, four crystals – one legendary adventure!
Join the Heroes of Light on their grand quest to restore balance to the world in BRAVELY DEFAULT II for Nintendo Switch!
Lead your party on a journey through five kingdoms as you seek to return the Crystals to their rightful home. Use Asterisks to unlock jobs and abilities that will allow you to take on all manner of monsters, and be sure to use the Brave and Default commands to manage the delicate balance of risk and reward!
Guided by the light
The world is in crisis. Floods, rising temperatures, nature gone out of control – the theft of the Crystals threatens all living things. There is hope, however, in the form of the Heroes of Light: four fabled warriors who can bring the elements back into balance.
Follow our protagonist Seth, as well as his companions Gloria, Elvis and Adelle, as they travel across the vibrant land of Excillant. Harness their combined powers to defeat the fiends who stole the Crystals, and quell the chaos that threatens to tear the realm asunder!
Battle your way
With its Brave and Default system, BRAVELY DEFAULT II puts a unique twist on the turn-based RPG formula, by allowing players to go all-in on attacks at the cost of future turns, or adopt a defensive stance in order to bank turns for later use.
A balance between playing it safe or adopting a riskier strategy must be struck in order to prevail against the huge variety of enemies you’ll encounter.
Collect Asterisks – magical artefacts that grant your party access to brand new jobs – and customise your party to create the ultimate fighting team. Explore the luscious landscapes of Excillant, chat with its quirky inhabitants and grow into a true band of heroes!
Bravely Default II is due to be released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on 26th February.
