Not bad, actually loved how it played with the camera

Got through a solid 70% of the game before I had to put it aside for work stuff. Grand storytelling experience, even if it does fall into a few classic fantasy clichés. There weren't any outstanding improvements to the fluidity of the game or the battle system, but the story was lovely and I felt an attachment to each character.

I would recommend avoiding discussions concerning controversies surrounding the developer. No matter what your opinion is, this game does not discuss any of those politics. Many of the characters themselves are gender non-conforming in some way, but that's about it.

A standout in the RPG Maker "genre." Catchy music, vibrant pixel art style, and a touching story. The game was life-changing for me for personal reasons, and I can confidently recommend this as a must-play for those looking to see some of what RPG Maker can do. Can't get enough of the characters either. Very charming all around.

As a game? Splendid. As the Bravely Default sequel? A slight step down, honestly.

The characterization of the protagonists in this game felt artificial and awkward. Sure, there's nothing wrong with a romance subplot here and there, but I felt this game really took it to the max.
Ryo was a fantastic composer, but Revo's tracks in the original Bravely Default were a big part of what built the game's identity. Bravely Second felt slightly foreign without that.

The job system was upgraded very nicely from the last game. Spellcrafting was a nice touch. I enjoyed playing through the new story with new jobs. A satisfying sequel, all things considered.

Wow. The reviews on this one are polarized as can be.

Bravely Default is actually my favorite game, and I feel that a lot of what it does right is overlooked in lieu of what it does wrong.

The battle system stood out pretty well, with a job system similar to FF5's, and the ability to use party turns as credit.
I enjoyed the story as a unique spin of classic Final Fantasy games, and the characters were surprisingly easy to get attached to.
The art and music for the game is stunning. Akihiko Yoshida and Revo did a spectacular job bringing the world to life.

That being said, the elephant in the room is the second half of the game. Without spoiling anything, many consider this later portion to be repetitive and unnecessary. I'm not going to say it wasn't, but I will say there was a definite intention that the writers were going for. Was it perfectly executed? Absolutely not. It's a valid reason to drop the game, honestly. I would've if I wasn't so invested in every other aspect of the game.

If there's one thing I could say to anyone struggling through this second half, though, is that it's absolutely worth it. The ending is just splendid, and the epilogue-like section that follows the great finale left me with my mind blown.

This game shaped my childhood, honestly. Way too hidden of a gem - play this game!

If you're looking for a game with heart, here it is