Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster Brings Strategy to the Switch

So, here’s a wild confession: I never touched the original Bravely Default on the 3DS. Yeah, everyone said it was the next best thing since sliced bread or, you know, Final Fantasy. But whatever. Here I am at PAX East 2025, staring at the surprise demo for Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster. Square Enix just threw it out there, and I’m like, “Sure, why not?” My ignorance might actually pay off for once.

Anyway — oh! Almost forgot. The first thing you’ll notice is the lack of dual screens. Kinda weird, right? But the graphics, man, they’re like crazy high-def now. And there’s this sleek new UI. Tried to fish out if the same treatment’s coming for Bravely Second: End Layer. All hush-hush, but I might’ve planted a tiny seed in the dev’s brain. Or maybe not. Who knows?

Okay, back to the demo. Timed ones are a pain, honestly. Skipped dialogue and cutscenes like I was on a mission. Let’s be real: I was here for the combat. Tell you what, this battle system is a mind-bender. You’ve got two moves: Brave and Default. Brave’s all about going ham with attacks, but it leaves you hanging defensively. Default is chill; it defends and stores turns like a squirrel hoarding nuts. Doesn’t that sound nuts? Sorry, bad pun.

Of course, I went full Brave. Why? Who can resist smashing buttons like there’s no tomorrow? My defense strategy was, well, non-existent. But hey, there’s a method to that madness in the full game. Mix Brave and Default and pretend you’re a tactical genius.

Didn’t dive into the job system though. Sad, right? But honestly, I’m hyped. Didn’t play on the 3DS, and maybe I was dumb to skip it, but this version? It’s a great catch-up for folks like me. So mark your calendars — or don’t, up to you. Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5, and this game’s tagging along.