New Bravely Default trailer (3DS)

It seems some of the people here are under-estimating the game's story-telling potential...

http://www.japanator.com/import-review-bravely-default-flying-fairy-27238.phtml

"Penned by Nataka Hayashi (Steins;Gate) of 5pb, Bravely Default's scenario is as traditional as it gets, at least at first glance. The Square Enix mainstays all seem to be present: four elemental crystals, warriors of light, airships and much more. The further into the game you get however, the more Hayashi's presence becomes apparent. In some ways, Bravely Default is the darkest JRPG I've played in quite some time. Characters are killed in awful, oftentimes merciless ways. The main cast of four initially come off as likable if not generic, but like everything in Bravely Default, they are not what they appear to be. As the layers begin to unravel, every decision, action and line of dialogue falls under the umbrella of doubt and suspicion. Bravely Default plays with your expectations, resulting in what is one of the finest final boss encounters I've experienced this generation. Even the ridiculous sounding name serves a clear purpose within the game's narrative and leads to one of the coolest meta moments I've had in my gaming over the past decade."

Naotaka Hayashi is one of the best script writers in the gaming industry, so I expect good things from the story. From what I've read so far, it appears Bravely Default subverts many of the JRPG tropes, in much the same way that Steins Gate did for the Visual Novel genre.

Also don't overlook Rune Factory 4 out this Tuesday (alongside Etrian Odyssey Untold) 

[QUOTE="spike6958"][QUOTE="Sweenix"]

It looks amazing, it reminds me alot off final fantasy ix, which is the best game ever :)

Sweenix

She looks nearly identical.. although no one could replace my precious garnet <3333333333333333333

It seems some of the people here are under-estimating the game's story-telling potential...

http://www.japanator.com/import-review-bravely-default-flying-fairy-27238.phtml

"Penned by Nataka Hayashi (Steins;Gate) of 5pb, Bravely Default's scenario is as traditional as it gets, at least at first glance. The Square Enix mainstays all seem to be present: four elemental crystals, warriors of light, airships and much more. The further into the game you get however, the more Hayashi's presence becomes apparent. In some ways, Bravely Default is the darkest JRPG I've played in quite some time. Characters are killed in awful, oftentimes merciless ways. The main cast of four initially come off as likable if not generic, but like everything in Bravely Default, they are not what they appear to be. As the layers begin to unravel, every decision, action and line of dialogue falls under the umbrella of doubt and suspicion. Bravely Default plays with your expectations, resulting in what is one of the finest final boss encounters I've experienced this generation. Even the ridiculous sounding name serves a clear purpose within the game's narrative and leads to one of the coolest meta moments I've had in my gaming over the past decade."

Naotaka Hayashi is one of the best script writers in the gaming industry, so I expect good things from the story. From what I've read so far, it appears Bravely Default subverts many of the JRPG tropes, in much the same way that Steins Gate did for the Visual Novel genre.

Jag85

Yeah, I figured it would have twists to "mess with your expectations", my point is that because it is aiming to do that it has to somehow mesh with that traditional plot-line. Which is why I don't think it will turn into complete crap like Final Fantasy IV. Seriously, that game didn't know how dying worked. That game tried really hard to differentiate itself rather than take a new storyline and sew it together with the classic one (which is what I expect from Bravley Default).

Then again, we'll see, Square Enix aren't exactly my favorite when it comes to writing stories, at the moment, in fact, they are one of the few, maybe only, developers that make stories that can make me quit a game. And I normally am gameplay focused. Chrono Trigger did it well though, so I have reason enough to be hopeful.

[QUOTE="whiskeystrike"]

Looking fantastic but good lord that English VA. 

bbkkristian

Metroid Prime, Xenoblade Chronicles, Fire Emblem Awakening, and Kid Icarus Uprising all had amazing voice acting. 

Metroid Prime, Xenoblade Chronicles, Fire Emblem Awakening, and Kid Icarus Uprising all had amazing voice acting.

Samus3D

NoA didn't do Xenoblade.

Also, I'm surprised to hear that Awakening has VA. For some reason I never expect it for handheld games with a lot of story, I was shocked to find out Professor Layton had VA too, maybe it is because VA isn't something I see as standard.

[QUOTE="bbkkristian"][QUOTE="whiskeystrike"]

Looking fantastic but good lord that English VA. 

Supabul

If I decide to jump back into this game, I will stick to the Japanese version. Voice acting isn't terrible but it isn't good.

FlamesOfGrey

[QUOTE="Jag85"]

It seems some of the people here are under-estimating the game's story-telling potential...

http://www.japanator.com/import-review-bravely-default-flying-fairy-27238.phtml

"Penned by Nataka Hayashi (Steins;Gate) of 5pb, Bravely Default's scenario is as traditional as it gets, at least at first glance. The Square Enix mainstays all seem to be present: four elemental crystals, warriors of light, airships and much more. The further into the game you get however, the more Hayashi's presence becomes apparent. In some ways, Bravely Default is the darkest JRPG I've played in quite some time. Characters are killed in awful, oftentimes merciless ways. The main cast of four initially come off as likable if not generic, but like everything in Bravely Default, they are not what they appear to be. As the layers begin to unravel, every decision, action and line of dialogue falls under the umbrella of doubt and suspicion. Bravely Default plays with your expectations, resulting in what is one of the finest final boss encounters I've experienced this generation. Even the ridiculous sounding name serves a clear purpose within the game's narrative and leads to one of the coolest meta moments I've had in my gaming over the past decade."

Naotaka Hayashi is one of the best script writers in the gaming industry, so I expect good things from the story. From what I've read so far, it appears Bravely Default subverts many of the JRPG tropes, in much the same way that Steins Gate did for the Visual Novel genre.

TilxWLOC

Yeah, I figured it would have twists to "mess with your expectations", my point is that because it is aiming to do that it has to somehow mesh with that traditional plot-line. Which is why I don't think it will turn into complete crap like Final Fantasy IV. Seriously, that game didn't know how dying worked. That game tried really hard to differentiate itself rather than take a new storyline and sew it together with the classic one (which is what I expect from Bravley Default).

Then again, we'll see, Square Enix aren't exactly my favorite when it comes to writing stories, at the moment, in fact, they are one of the few, maybe only, developers that make stories that can make me quit a game. And I normally am gameplay focused. Chrono Trigger did it well though, so I have reason enough to be hopeful.

I think you've misunderstood FFIV. That game came out way back in 1991, and more or less created the template for what we today call the traditional JRPG plot-line. It was a great game for its time, but it's just been imitated so much that it's lost its shine over the years. That's probably the very template that Bravely Default may be trying to subvert.

Anyway, Bravely Default is not written by Square Enix, by is written by Steins Gate writer Naotaka Hayashi. And if you've ever played/seen Steins Gate (whether it's the visual novel or the anime), then you'll realize that his storytelling is quite easily some of the very best in the gaming industry, probably better than any RPG I've played.

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Chibi character design
Atrocious dub

Looks like it's going to be a pretty terrible game with a generic shounen esque storyline. 

loosingENDS

From reviews and impressions seems like one of the best games to release in years

Certainly one of the most unique JRPGs and like 10 billion million trillion times better than FF13 series counted whole

The characters are FF9 like which is a huge plus

And a game's quality is not judged by its dub

Yea dont you use the word unique cause from everything iv seen its far from that. Also characters look god awful and 9 character models were actually ya know good. These are ff4 ds remake quality models which look bleh.

It seems like they took the engine of FF4 ds upped it in res and ability then just ripped off major plot points and characters from major final fantasies....AWESOME sounds great to me take way from square all you can before they **** it all up.

Pretty bad voice acting imo...i might have to leave the japanese audio on if it sounds that bad in the final product... :/

anab0lic

God that voice acting was terribad.

It seems like they took the engine of FF4 ds upped it in res and ability then just ripped off major plot points and characters from major final fantasies....AWESOME sounds great to me take way from square all you can before they **** it all up.

WilliamRLBaker

[QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"]

If I decide to jump back into this game, I will stick to the Japanese version. Voice acting isn't terrible but it isn't good.

Dr-FANTASTIC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXzIeZ-14w&feature=youtu.be

Pretty bad voice acting imo...i might have to leave the japanese audio on if it sounds that bad in the final product... :/

anab0lic

The game looks good though. Any release date for the U.S.? I can wait as I still lots of other things to finish.

[QUOTE="OreoMilkshake"]Voice acting feels like it was overlayed over the video instead of part of the game. Looks good though.BrunoBRS

It probably was. :lol:

The voice acting was painful, but the game itself looks really good.

Do they keep the orignal voices as an option ?

Do they keep the orignal voices as an option ?

loosingENDS

Looks cool I ready for something unique. I'm sick of so called mature games aimed at little kids.

[QUOTE="TilxWLOC"]

[QUOTE="Jag85"]

It seems some of the people here are under-estimating the game's story-telling potential...

http://www.japanator.com/import-review-bravely-default-flying-fairy-27238.phtml

"Penned by Nataka Hayashi (Steins;Gate) of 5pb, Bravely Default's scenario is as traditional as it gets, at least at first glance. The Square Enix mainstays all seem to be present: four elemental crystals, warriors of light, airships and much more. The further into the game you get however, the more Hayashi's presence becomes apparent. In some ways, Bravely Default is the darkest JRPG I've played in quite some time. Characters are killed in awful, oftentimes merciless ways. The main cast of four initially come off as likable if not generic, but like everything in Bravely Default, they are not what they appear to be. As the layers begin to unravel, every decision, action and line of dialogue falls under the umbrella of doubt and suspicion. Bravely Default plays with your expectations, resulting in what is one of the finest final boss encounters I've experienced this generation. Even the ridiculous sounding name serves a clear purpose within the game's narrative and leads to one of the coolest meta moments I've had in my gaming over the past decade."

Naotaka Hayashi is one of the best script writers in the gaming industry, so I expect good things from the story. From what I've read so far, it appears Bravely Default subverts many of the JRPG tropes, in much the same way that Steins Gate did for the Visual Novel genre.

Jag85

Yeah, I figured it would have twists to "mess with your expectations", my point is that because it is aiming to do that it has to somehow mesh with that traditional plot-line. Which is why I don't think it will turn into complete crap like Final Fantasy IV. Seriously, that game didn't know how dying worked. That game tried really hard to differentiate itself rather than take a new storyline and sew it together with the classic one (which is what I expect from Bravley Default).

Then again, we'll see, Square Enix aren't exactly my favorite when it comes to writing stories, at the moment, in fact, they are one of the few, maybe only, developers that make stories that can make me quit a game. And I normally am gameplay focused. Chrono Trigger did it well though, so I have reason enough to be hopeful.

I think you've misunderstood FFIV. That game came out way back in 1991, and more or less created the template for what we today call the traditional JRPG plot-line. It was a great game for its time, but it's just been imitated so much that it's lost its shine over the years. That's probably the very template that Bravely Default may be trying to subvert.

Anyway, Bravely Default is not written by Square Enix, by is written by Steins Gate writer Naotaka Hayashi. And if you've ever played/seen Steins Gate (whether it's the visual novel or the anime), then you'll realize that his storytelling is quite easily some of the very best in the gaming industry, probably better than any RPG I've played.

I didn't misunderstand FFIV, I just didn't like it, I can dig a cliche plot, but that game was terrible (gameplay included, keep in mind I played the DS version). The part about Bravely Default's subversion was what I was trying to get at, I'm just not very good when it comes to talking about story, sorry.

I've only heard good things when people talk about Steins Gate, although I'm not that into anime, so I'm glad to hear about this Naotaka character.

You seem really informed and somewhat excited about this game. Do you happen to own it like FlamesofGrey? Also, good job selling me on this game even more.

The voice acting was painful, but the game itself looks really good.

yokofox33

maybe it will sound better when the game is in people hands.

[QUOTE="Dr-FANTASTIC"][QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"]

If I decide to jump back into this game, I will stick to the Japanese version. Voice acting isn't terrible but it isn't good.

FlamesOfGrey

Plus he ain't no Dr.

The voice acting does appear to be pretty damn bad.

But after Star Ocean 4, I can handle anything. Still pretty excited for Bravery Default.

[QUOTE="loosingENDS"]

Do they keep the orignal voices as an option ?

Capitan_Kid

[QUOTE="Jag85"]

[QUOTE="TilxWLOC"]

Yeah, I figured it would have twists to "mess with your expectations", my point is that because it is aiming to do that it has to somehow mesh with that traditional plot-line. Which is why I don't think it will turn into complete crap like Final Fantasy IV. Seriously, that game didn't know how dying worked. That game tried really hard to differentiate itself rather than take a new storyline and sew it together with the classic one (which is what I expect from Bravley Default).

Then again, we'll see, Square Enix aren't exactly my favorite when it comes to writing stories, at the moment, in fact, they are one of the few, maybe only, developers that make stories that can make me quit a game. And I normally am gameplay focused. Chrono Trigger did it well though, so I have reason enough to be hopeful.

TilxWLOC

I think you've misunderstood FFIV. That game came out way back in 1991, and more or less created the template for what we today call the traditional JRPG plot-line. It was a great game for its time, but it's just been imitated so much that it's lost its shine over the years. That's probably the very template that Bravely Default may be trying to subvert.

Anyway, Bravely Default is not written by Square Enix, by is written by Steins Gate writer Naotaka Hayashi. And if you've ever played/seen Steins Gate (whether it's the visual novel or the anime), then you'll realize that his storytelling is quite easily some of the very best in the gaming industry, probably better than any RPG I've played.

I didn't misunderstand FFIV, I just didn't like it, I can dig a cliche plot, but that game was terrible (gameplay included, keep in mind I played the DS version). The part about Bravely Default's subversion was what I was trying to get at, I'm just not very good when it comes to talking about story, sorry.

I've only heard good things when people talk about Steins Gate, although I'm not that into anime, so I'm glad to hear about this Naotaka character.

You seem really informed and somewhat excited about this game. Do you happen to own it like FlamesofGrey? Also, good job selling me on this game even more.

My point about FFIV is that it's a very old game from way back in 1991. Its plot was considered revolutionary for an RPG back in those days, but it's been imitated so much that it's become cliche in this day and age. In other words, the Beatles/Seinfeld syndrome.

Anyway, it's good to know that you'll be giving Bravely Default a chance. I have not played it though, so for all I know, I could turn out to be wrong. But based on Naotaka Hayashi's previous work as a writer, I'm pretty sure that the story should be well written at the very least.

Also, if you have the time, you might want to check out his previous work Steins Gate. It was originally a Visual Novel game that was later adapted into an anime. Regardless of whether you try the game or the anime (both are great in their own ways), it has one of the best sci-fi narratives I've seen in years, in any medium.

[QUOTE="Capitan_Kid"][QUOTE="loosingENDS"]

Do they keep the orignal voices as an option ?

charizard1605

They must have heard the voice overs :)

That is very good

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Capitan_Kid"] Square doesnt do dual audioloosingENDS

They must have heard the voice overs :)

That is very good

Or rather, it could also be that they didn't put much effort into the dub because it's dual audio? 

[QUOTE="loosingENDS"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] Except this game does have dual audio.Jag85

They must have heard the voice overs :)

That is very good

Or rather, it could also be that they didn't put much effort into the dub because it's dual audio? 

Maybe so, but they could as easilly have the same voice over and no original voices

My point about FFIV is that it's a very old game from way back in 1991. Its plot was considered revolutionary for an RPG back in those days, but it's been imitated so much that it's become cliche in this day and age. In other words, the Beatles/Seinfeld syndrome.

Anyway, it's good to know that you'll be giving Bravely Default a chance. I have not played it though, so for all I know, I could turn out to be wrong. But based on Naotaka Hayashi's previous work as a writer, I'm pretty sure that the story should be well written at the very least.

Also, if you have the time, you might want to check out his previous work Steins Gate. It was originally a Visual Novel game that was later adapted into an anime. Regardless of whether you try the game or the anime (both are great in their own ways), it has one of the best sci-fi narratives I've seen in years, in any medium.

Jag85

The only difference is I don't have a problem with any of the cliches in the story, and the story itself isn't so bad, it just felt like it tried to hard, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't be so down on it if the game itself wasn't so bad. Palom/Porom was likely the best part to me based on what I remember. FFIV DS is the one game I can think of that might be ruined by graphics, and having played it so many times because I can never bring myself to the end I think it might have soured the story. I'll have to give the SNES version a try.

As for Steins Gate, I'll-- for sure-- look into it. My sister enjoyed what she had read of it when I asked her if she'd heard of it, since she's into anime and the such.

Thanks for all the info.

Voice acting isn't so hot and the graphcis are a mixed bag (the overworld is gorgeous but the character models are so so) but I'm still excited. I am really hoping that they refine the battle system from the first game. It was a superb mixture of old and new. With some refinement it could be one of the best.

Voice acting isn't so hot and the graphcis are a mixed bag (the overworld is gorgeous but the character models are so so) but I'm still excited. I am really hoping that they refine the battle system from the first game. It was a superb mixture of old and new. With some refinement it could be one of the best.

turtlethetaffer

Can always play with japanese voices

The character models look good and fit in the game fine

[QUOTE="Jag85"]

My point about FFIV is that it's a very old game from way back in 1991. Its plot was considered revolutionary for an RPG back in those days, but it's been imitated so much that it's become cliche in this day and age. In other words, the Beatles/Seinfeld syndrome.

Anyway, it's good to know that you'll be giving Bravely Default a chance. I have not played it though, so for all I know, I could turn out to be wrong. But based on Naotaka Hayashi's previous work as a writer, I'm pretty sure that the story should be well written at the very least.

Also, if you have the time, you might want to check out his previous work Steins Gate. It was originally a Visual Novel game that was later adapted into an anime. Regardless of whether you try the game or the anime (both are great in their own ways), it has one of the best sci-fi narratives I've seen in years, in any medium.

TilxWLOC

The only difference is I don't have a problem with any of the cliches in the story, and the story itself isn't so bad, it just felt like it tried to hard, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't be so down on it if the game itself wasn't so bad. Palom/Porom was likely the best part to me based on what I remember. FFIV DS is the one game I can think of that might be ruined by graphics, and having played it so many times because I can never bring myself to the end I think it might have soured the story. I'll have to give the SNES version a try.

As for Steins Gate, I'll-- for sure-- look into it. My sister enjoyed what she had read of it when I asked her if she'd heard of it, since she's into anime and the such.

Thanks for all the info.

Well, like a lot of classics from the early 16-bit era, FFIV may not have aged that well. The game's melodramatic plot, for example, was considered quite revolutionary back then, but nowadays, its melodramatic plot might come across as forced, or over-the-top, at times. I only played some of the DS version, but from what I've played, I liked FFIV better without the 3D graphics, or the voice-overs, or the new character designs. I prefer the PSP version, FFIV Complete Collection, which I found to be more faithful to the original. You might want to give that PSP version (or the SNES version) a try, although I'm not sure if that would change your opinion of the game much.

Steins Gate is one of the highest-rated anime at the moment, so I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it. Or if you're not that into anime, you could always try out the original Visual Novel game, although the gameplay mostly just revolves around making narrative choices that lead to different branching story paths. Either way, Steins Gate is one of my favourites in the sci-fi genre, and that's why I'm interested to see if the writer can re-produce any of that same magic with a fantasy RPG like Bravely Default. 

Yeah...

Looks like I'll be playing with Japanese audio.

Well, like a lot of classics from the early 16-bit era, FFIV may not have aged that well. The game's melodramatic plot, for example, was considered quite revolutionary back then, but nowadays, its melodramatic plot might come across as forced, or over-the-top, at times. I only played some of the DS version, but from what I've played, I liked FFIV better without the 3D graphics, or the voice-overs, or the new character designs. I prefer the PSP version, FFIV Complete Collection, which I found to be more faithful to the original. You might want to give that PSP version (or the SNES version) a try, although I'm not sure if that would change your opinion of the game much.

Steins Gate is one of the highest-rated anime at the moment, so I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it. Or if you're not that into anime, you could always try out the original Visual Novel game, although the gameplay mostly just revolves around making narrative choices that lead to different branching story paths. Either way, Steins Gate is one of my favourites in the sci-fi genre, and that's why I'm interested to see if the writer can re-produce any of that same magic with a fantasy RPG like Bravely Default.

Jag85

Maybe you're right, but I figured trying to kill off everyone was heavy handed even back then. The problem with the DS version is that the 3D perspective makes things unclear, things like where you can and can't walk. The real killer is that it seems to stretch things out, longer walks, more encounters and things like that, the camera is also zoomed in so far and at such an angle you can't really see much around you, such as, where to go, and the map isn't all that helpful. Final Fantasy III DS did it so much better.

Don't get me wrong, I like some anime, a lot of it is bad though, I feel, and I hope you're right about the story in Bravely Default. Even though as long as it isn't overbearing and/or too bad it won't affect me much. I never really played RPGs for the stories, that is why Pokemon is so good, it cuts straight to the business.

Dec 12th for EU peeps! 

Im not seeing the problem with the voices. They sound fine to me. Its just that they sound like they were voiced in a can.Capitan_Kid

IDK some of the lines dont really sound like they are delivered with any real emotion... then on top of that the sound quality is bad... i hope nintendo didnt have problems fitting both the *** and eng audio on the same cart and had to use low quality compression to do it... meaning the *** dubs (which is probably what ill be using going by these clips) could be not as good as the orginal.

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

Voice acting isn't so hot and the graphcis are a mixed bag (the overworld is gorgeous but the character models are so so) but I'm still excited. I am really hoping that they refine the battle system from the first game. It was a superb mixture of old and new. With some refinement it could be one of the best.

loosingENDS

Can always play with japanese voices

The character models look good and fit in the game fine

Na they are ugly.

Yeah...

Looks like I'll be playing with Japanese audio.

Sagem28

Surprised this game still isn't out. I remember hearing about this back in 2011, if I'm not mistaken. Name is as nonsensical as ever.

MFDOOM1983

The name makes plenty of sense, as much as I have it out for Square, I think they name things pretty well. Even if it is terribly blunt like I suspect the name "Bravely Default" will be (have to see the story first), it sounds pretty nice.

What I don't quite understand at this point is the boxart.

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]

Surprised this game still isn't out. I remember hearing about this back in 2011, if I'm not mistaken. Name is as nonsensical as ever.

TilxWLOC

The name makes plenty of sense, as much as I have it out for Square, I think they name things pretty well. Even if it is terribly blunt like I suspect the name "Bravely Default" will be (have to see the story first), it sounds pretty nice.

What I don't quite understand at this point is the boxart.

Bravely Default refers to the game mechanic of Defaulting, if I'm not mistaken. Basically, defending to build up your Action Points pool.  Each move costs Action Points, and defending allows you to store more.

[QUOTE="TilxWLOC"]

[QUOTE="MFDOOM1983"]

Surprised this game still isn't out. I remember hearing about this back in 2011, if I'm not mistaken. Name is as nonsensical as ever.

turtlethetaffer

The name makes plenty of sense, as much as I have it out for Square, I think they name things pretty well. Even if it is terribly blunt like I suspect the name "Bravely Default" will be (have to see the story first), it sounds pretty nice.

What I don't quite understand at this point is the boxart.

Bravely Default refers to the game mechanic of Defaulting, if I'm not mistaken. Basically, defending to build up your Action Points pool. Each move costs Action Points, and defending allows you to store more.

Ooh, I like it. I'm not going to bother looking anything up on it, I'll just wait until it comes out and roll with the punches, but this is something interesting I did not know about.

I was right though, "terribly blunt".

[QUOTE="Jag85"]

 

Well, like a lot of classics from the early 16-bit era, FFIV may not have aged that well. The game's melodramatic plot, for example, was considered quite revolutionary back then, but nowadays, its melodramatic plot might come across as forced, or over-the-top, at times. I only played some of the DS version, but from what I've played, I liked FFIV better without the 3D graphics, or the voice-overs, or the new character designs. I prefer the PSP version, FFIV Complete Collection, which I found to be more faithful to the original. You might want to give that PSP version (or the SNES version) a try, although I'm not sure if that would change your opinion of the game much.

Steins Gate is one of the highest-rated anime at the moment, so I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it. Or if you're not that into anime, you could always try out the original Visual Novel game, although the gameplay mostly just revolves around making narrative choices that lead to different branching story paths. Either way, Steins Gate is one of my favourites in the sci-fi genre, and that's why I'm interested to see if the writer can re-produce any of that same magic with a fantasy RPG like Bravely Default.

TilxWLOC

Maybe you're right, but I figured trying to kill off everyone was heavy handed even back then. The problem with the DS version is that the 3D perspective makes things unclear, things like where you can and can't walk. The real killer is that it seems to stretch things out, longer walks, more encounters and things like that, the camera is also zoomed in so far and at such an angle you can't really see much around you, such as, where to go, and the map isn't all that helpful. Final Fantasy III DS did it so much better.

Don't get me wrong, I like some anime, a lot of it is bad though, I feel, and I hope you're right about the story in Bravely Default. Even though as long as it isn't overbearing and/or too bad it won't affect me much. I never really played RPGs for the stories, that is why Pokemon is so good, it cuts straight to the business.

In an era when it was rare to kill off characters, FFIV's heavy-handed approach was actually quite refreshing back then, although that kind of heavy-handedness doesn't really work so well today. Anyway, you might want to give the PSP version a try, FFIV Complete Collection. I think that's probably the best version of FFIV out there. It's a lot like the SNES original, but with improved 2D graphics and some additional stuff. Not sure how much it might change your opinion of the game, but you can see if you enjoy that anymore than you did the DS version.

As for anime, Sturgeon's Law of "90% of everything is crap" is just as true for anime as it is for movies and games. It all depends on which ones you try out. The bad ones can be really bad, while the good ones can be really good. Steins Gate is definitely one of the great ones. Steins Gate has quite a dark story though (but with light-hearted moments, of course), so I suspect Bravely Default might also have a similarly dark story... so just don't expect it to be as light-hearted as, say, Pokemon.

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

[QUOTE="TilxWLOC"]

The name makes plenty of sense, as much as I have it out for Square, I think they name things pretty well. Even if it is terribly blunt like I suspect the name "Bravely Default" will be (have to see the story first), it sounds pretty nice.

What I don't quite understand at this point is the boxart.

TilxWLOC

Bravely Default refers to the game mechanic of Defaulting, if I'm not mistaken. Basically, defending to build up your Action Points pool. Each move costs Action Points, and defending allows you to store more.

Ooh, I like it. I'm not going to bother looking anything up on it, I'll just wait until it comes out and roll with the punches, but this is something interesting I did not know about.

I was right though, "terribly blunt".

Ever hear of Final Fantasy 4 Heroes of Light on the DS? This is basically the sequel, or "spiritual successor."  It was also a good game.

My only issue with BD is that the character models look almost exactly the same as 4 Heroes of Light. Granted, I understand they're supposed to be simple and story book like, but the fact that they look almost exactly the same is disappointing. Like same resolution and everything.

[QUOTE="Capitan_Kid"]Im not seeing the problem with the voices. They sound fine to me. Its just that they sound like they were voiced in a can.anab0lic

IDK some of the lines dont really sound like they are delivered with any real emotion... then on top of that the sound quality is bad... i hope nintendo didnt have problems fitting both the *** and eng audio on the same cart and had to use low quality compression to do it... meaning the *** dubs (which is probably what ill be using going by these clips) could be not as good as the orginal.

Because they aren't.. most games released over seas have horrible translations.... they hire the cheapest person possible to do the voice acting.