Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster – First Look

Sure, here’s a rewritten version of the article in a stream-of-consciousness style:

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Okay, so here we go. Switch 2 comes out, and wham! They’re bringing us “Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster.” Yep, the old 3DS classic gets a shiny new look. Not gonna lie, never got around to the original — mostly ’cause life happened and, well, you know how it goes.

The whole thing kicked off as a kind of offshoot of Final Fantasy before it strutted out on its own. But honestly, I think I read that somewhere, or maybe I just dreamt it. Not sure. Anyway, you should totally check Wikipedia if you’re curious. Someone’s probably explained the backstory in a way cooler fashion than I can.

So, what’s the deal with this game? It’s a turn-based thing, which is kinda my jam, and — wait, where was I? Oh yeah, the “Brave/Default” mechanic, right. Basically, you save up moves by not attacking (Default, they call it) or go all out with multiple attacks (Brave). It’s like rolling the dice on an epic scale. Could be fun if you’re into that sort of thing.

Here’s a twist — I played the sequel, and another similar game, but not this OG version. Word on the street is it’s a blast with those SNES vibes but with snazzy new bits. The HD remake drops at $40, not the monstrous $70 or $80 that the big players go for. Blessed relief!

Got a sneak peek during PAX East 2025 — under fluorescent lighting that hummed like a hive of bees. Used the new Joy-Con 2s and fiddled with minigames like I didn’t have a care in the world. Couldn’t check the handheld mode, but the big screen was decent, shimmering in all its pixelated glory. The backgrounds? Real nice. Like peering into a painted dream, man.

The new Switch 2 mouse setup? Kind of wonky. Might be cool for kids diving into Civilization or something. Played these minigames, Luxencheer Rhythm Catch and Ringabel’s Panic Cruise. I stumbled through Luxencheer — rhythm and I, mortal enemies forever — but Ringabel, ha, that was my jam! Flying through rings and panicking? Right up my alley.

Don’t think these minigames will sell the console, but they’re a nifty touch. Oh, there’s this revamped UI, too, and network stuff instead of StreetPass. Fast-forwarding! Thank you very much, because patience is not my virtue.

Heads up — June 5, it drops. Square Enix giving us early 3DS goodness in HD. Questions up in the air about old features, but hey, this feels like a solid deal. And yeah, that’s me done.