BRAVELY DEFAULT: FLYING FAIRY

BRAVELY DEFAULT: FLYING FAIRY follows Agnès, a vestal (fancy term for priestess ) trying to restore the world’s crystals, which are, of course, going kaput. She teams up with Tiz, a humble shepherd; Ringabel, a flirty amnesiac; and Edea, a defector from the evil empire. Together they globe trot across Luxendarc, a beautifully crafted world, fighting bad guys, uncovering conspiracies, and dealing with some major twists (spoiler territory).

The game nails turn based combat but spices it up with the Brave and Default systems, hence the name. Default lets you skip a turn to bank Brave Points, while Brave lets you spend BP to attack multiple times in a row. It’s simple but adds layers of strategy, do you go all in and risk being defenseless, or play it safe? The job system is deep, with 24 classes (Black Mage, Valkyrie, Pirate, you name it) that you can mix and match for stupidly OP combos. Grinding can be a drag, like any traditional RPG, but the adjustable encounter rate (you can turn fights off or crank ‘em up) is a godsend.   

The first half is gold: great characters, political intrigue, and some legit emotional moments. Edea’s arc as she grapples with her loyalty to her homeland is a standout. But then… the back half happens. Without spoiling too much, the game pulls a twist that forces you to replay chunks of the story with minor differences. It’s supposed to be metacommentary on JRPG tropes, but in practice, it feels like padding. 

The party’s chemistry is top-tier. Ringabel’s shameless flirting is hilarious sometimes, Agnès’ determination is endearing, and Tiz is… there. The English dub is solid, but some lines are cheesy. Side characters like Airy (your fairy companion) are hit or miss, some love her, some find her voice nails on a chalkboard annoying.   

The art style is gorgeous, watercolor-esque cities, detailed character designs, and vibrant enemy sprites. The 3D effect (if you’re into that thing) adds depth, but even without it, the game pops. The soundtrack? Perfection. Revo (of Attack on Titan S1 fame) delivers an orchestral masterpiece, the battle theme slaps, and the town music is pure ear candy.

Download

Awaken the slumbering fairy and carve your legend into the annals of Luxendarc! Strike the download button lurking below or channel the forbidden arts of Remote Installation through the FBI app.  Once the ritual is complete, Airy shall manifest upon your HOME Menu, pulsing with untold power. But beware, warrior, only the worthy may grasp its light. Summon forth!