Bravely Default

Unreleased

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is the successor of Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, a "" or "spin-off" of the main Final Fantasy series. It is in development for the Nintendo 3DS console in Japan. It is being directed by Takashi Tokita. Character design is done by Akihiko Yoshida, and Silicon Studio. Although the game has an original title, it is considered a direct successor of The 4 Heroes of Light by its creators.

Gameplay
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy is said to be a "traditional RPG" in the style of Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, by which it is a turn-based RPG with random encounters; with a battle system focused on the Job System. The game uses a system of stocked points called "BP" which characters use to gain extra turns. Every character has their own set of BP. When using the "Default" command, a turn is skipped in order to stock a BP, and the "Brave" command uses that BP to move twice. Players can also move twice and drop into negative BP, which will result in a combo of turns; however, this gives the enemy several turns in a row. BP can also be transferred between the characters. Another new battle command is the "Friend Summon" system, where players can summon the characters of other players using either data transfer between the player's friends or 3DS Streetpass system between strangers. When a Friend Summon is used repeatedly, they will grow in "Affection" and become stronger.

The Job System is similar to that of Final Fantasy V in that characters learn Abilities from using Jobs. Job Commands are the special skills of that Class, such as Magic and Attacks. Support Abilities are automatic skills like "HP + 10%" or Cover. Job Commands can be set with abilities learned from other jobs, allowing mixed characters with multiple skills. Support Abilities can also be customized, but there is a set "Cost" as to how many Support Abilities can be placed on one character.

While the characters are in polygonal 3D, the game's backgrounds are hand-drawn, with the various location elements "popping out" of the screen thanks to parallax scrolling and the 3DS auto-stereoscopic technology. A traditional 3D World Map has also been shown. The playable characters can interact with each other using a "Party Chat" system, where battles are interrupted so that the player can watch a cutscene. These Party Chat scenes will expand the story and give game strategies.

It has been revealed that Monk, White Mage, and Black Mage will be first jobs gained from one of the first crystals encountered in the game.

Setting
The story takes place in Luxendarc (ルクセンダルク), the land of light and shadow. Many countries exist in this land, one of which was home to Tiz Oria until it was devastated by a disaster that left a giant hole on the continent and Tiz the only survivor. Other countries include Rakuriika (ラクリーカ), home to the Wind Crystal shrine and known for its large clock and sands.

Characters

 * Anies Oblige, a 17-year-old girl who controls the "Wind Crystal" and sets off on a journey, lead by the Crystal Spirits.
 * Tiz Oria, a young boy who miraculously managed to survive the huge calamity that left a giant hole in the continent.
 * Edea Lee, a 15-year-old girl with a strong sense of justice who originates from Eternia and was raised in a strong household. She meets Anies on a mission for the Eternian Army.
 * Lingabel, an amnesiac traveling around the world seducing women with his adolescent charm. He is in possession of a special D Notebook that can predict the future.
 * Argent Heinkel, Knight Jobmaster and commander of the Eternian Air Force.
 * Bearing Out, Monk Jobmaster and airship pilot.
 * Holy White, White Mage Jobmaster the Air Force's healer who runs the bridge.
 * Ominous Crow, Black Mage Jobmaster who is Holy White's rival.
 * Malme Konta Matamatto VIII, Time Mage member of the villainous Matamatto Boritori Troupe, who hunt down all believers in the Crystals in the kingdom of Lakrika.
 * Nikosguy Boritori, Matamatto Boritori Merchant
 * Jackal, Matamatto Boritori Thief
 * Ikuma Naerik, Matamatto Boritori Magic Swordsman

Job System
The game employs a job system that is slightly to its predecessor. A special item called Asterisk is needed in order to be able to change jobs. A total of 24 jobs can be obtained throughout the game and each job has its own level that will be capped at 10.
 * Freelancer
 * White Mage
 * Knight
 * Black Mage
 * Monk
 * Superstar
 * Red Mage
 * Magic Swordsman
 * Thief
 * Merchant

Story
Tiz is destined to become a Warrior of Light. Anies, Tiz's comrade, is on a journey to free the Wind Crystal from the darkness that has engulfed it. However, she is being pursued by the Jobmasters of the Eternia's Air Force, who seek the power of the crystals and anyone in possession of them.

Music
The music for the game will be composed by Revo from the Japanese musical group Sound Horizon. Members of the said group include RIKKI known for her work Suteki da ne for Final Fantasy X and Joelle known for Plains of Eternity from Final Fantasy XIII-2. A single will be released on August 22, 2012 in Japan and will include a redeemable code for a special in-game equipment. Though an official release date for the soundtrack is yet to be announced, it will coincide with the game's. The 2-disc soundtrack will include a fold-out stand for the four protagonists Tiz, Anies, Edea and Lingabel.

Development
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy entered development as a Nintendo 3DS sequel to Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light. However, Square Enix eventually decided to rename the game with an original title so as not to confuse modern-day Final Fantasy fans, as the game's direction is different than the modern games of the series and closer in style to the older installments. The development team settled on the name Bravely Default: Flying Fairy so that the subtitle would abbreviate to "FF", as a reminder of the game's origins.

Production Credits
Naotaka Hayashi, the scenario writer on Steins;Gate and Chaos;Head, wrote the story for Bravely Default: Flying Fairy.

Release
The Collector's Edition of the game is can be exclusively acquired through the Square Enix e-Shop. This includes a copy of the game, the first print run of the game's original soundtrack, an art album, an original protect case for the 3DS, and a life-size AR poster. . It will be sold for ¥12,800. The standard edition of the game will be sold for ¥6,090.

Demos
On February 27th, 2012, it was confirmed that the game will have several demos, each concentrating on one of the game's aspects, and two days later, on the February 29th, 2012, the first demo, titled "Demo + AR Vol.1 - Crystal Maiden Volume", was released on February 29th, 2012.

Second demo, titled "Demo Vol.2: Heroes of Despair Volume", was published on March 29th, 2012. The second demo allows to control Tiz, as well as walk around a town, visit a shop, and interact with its citizens.

A battle demo was released on June 27th, 2012, which allows for a sampling of the game's battle system, with players selecting two jobs from a total of four available jobs, and making use of the "Brave & Default" system. It also contains new AR movie focusing on character of Edea Lee.

A fourth demo will also be released. It will feature the augmented reality involved in the game.