By John Robertson (From IGN) March 1, 2016
Rating: ★★★★☆A doggedly traditional Japanese RPG in many respects, Bravely Second: End Layer is almost exactly as they used to make them in the old days. If you're of the mind that publisher Square Enix hit its peak during the 90s with the likes of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, then this is very much aimed at you. However, Bravely Second’s charming sense of nostalgia can’t fully make up for its failings. Whilst its turn-based battles are still engaging, and its art just as visually arresting, it tells a ridiculous and often patronizing story with lifeless, even frequently irritating voice work. It’s a game that swings from providing great joy to deep disappointment without any warning and, as such, falls short of the bar set by Bravely Default.
The setup is predictably straightforward, and lacks any nuance whatsoever. Pose Agnes, one of the previous game's protagonists, is kidnapped by the villainous (and subtly named) Kaiser Oblivion. It's up to you, as idealistic young knight Yew Geneolgia, to assemble a team capable of rescuing Agnes and, in the process, realign the forces of good and evil. Given that it's based in the same world, with some of the same characters and even returning locations, it does pay to have played through Bravely Default before starting the journey here. Honestly, though, even with the foundation of the first game embedded in your memory, it's a terrible plot.