Bravely Second: End Layer

 3DS
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
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  1. IGN Spain
    Feb 22, 2016
    73
    Along the +50 hours of my adventure I found myself playing the longest DLC ever, not a sequel or a new game.
  2. IGN
    Mar 1, 2016
    71
    A good combat system and gorgeous visuals are significantly let down by an underwhelming and perfunctory narrative that can make progression a real chore. Whilst there are elements that work in isolation, Bravely Second doesn't manage to tie them together in a way that matches the quality of the original.
  3. Polygon
    Apr 25, 2016
    70
    But considering all the clever mechanical twists and innovations seeded in its predecessor, it's disappointing to see Bravely Second following in its footsteps with so little deviation.
  5. Destructoid
    Apr 13, 2016
    70
    Bravely Second is a missed opportunity in many ways. It's too similar to the original to woo a new crowd, and any risks it takes are narrative-centric and mostly fall flat.
  6. GameSpot
    Apr 13, 2016
    70
    It has its restraints, but as the story closes on the plains of Luxendarc, Bravely Second's grasp more than matches its reach.
  7. Cubed3
    Mar 18, 2016
    70
    There are some clever ideas thrown in that try to improve on the original game's plot, along with a handful of entertaining characters in amongst the obnoxious ones, as well as great use of 3D, but End Layer should be played for its battle and job systems first and foremost, provided the original title was enjoyed.
  8. Games Master UK
    Feb 18, 2016
    70
    A great combat system and world held back by immersion-breaking dialogue choices.
  9. FNintendo
    Feb 18, 2016
    70
    Bravely Second: End Layer does not live up to its predecessor's standards but this does not make it any less of a good RPG. Its visual environment is superb, it's loaded with content and its lifespan will keep everyone around it for a long time. It also improves on its predecessor's class system, while it falls out with the soundtrack and narrative.
  10. CD-Action
    May 31, 2016
    65
    Those of you who played Bravely Default should also play Bravely Second, though you might be disappointed, because in my private opinion the previous game was better. [05/2016, p.74]
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  11. GameOver.gr
    Mar 29, 2016
    65
    Bravely Second End Layer is a decent game with beautiful visuals and a solid combat system, although as a direct sequel it fails to deliver a decent story and something new as an experience for those who played the first game.
  12. Gamer.no
    Mar 24, 2016
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.
  13. Kill Screen
    Jun 23, 2016
    50
    By trying to optimize it, the brave/default system inadvertently lays bare the arbitrariness structuring the player’s relation to the game, the role one ostensibly plays becoming repeatable and, indeed, automatable in yet another striking parallel to the looming “new economy.”
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Apr 13, 2016
    That mix of customization and convenience allows Bravely Second to have the best of both worlds. It gives you the chance to relax and get into a rhythm at some points, and then demands your full attention to succeed at others. By piling complexity on atop the simplicity of a tried-and-true formula, Square Enix has produced a worthy successor to Bravely Default. I’m sure the developers are already thinking about what it would mean to “Bravely Third” in battle.

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best 3DS Game of 2016
13
#13 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2016
10
#10 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 209 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 162 out of 209
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 209
  3. Negative: 25 out of 209
  1. Darormor
    Apr 15, 2016
    10
    I've never played the first game, but anyone that is a fan of RPG's in general should check this game out. It's not a buy a 3ds just for thisI've never played the first game, but anyone that is a fan of RPG's in general should check this game out. It's not a buy a 3ds just for this game type deal, but it comes very close.… Full Review »
  2. Ironblood
    Apr 27, 2016
    6
    I've changed my mind it's pretty meh, it's got some good music a great battle/job system and some really cool looking art, buuuuuuuuuuut...I've changed my mind it's pretty meh, it's got some good music a great battle/job system and some really cool looking art, buuuuuuuuuuut... the characters are pretty freaking cringy and seem to get distracted pretty easily from the main quest which is of pretty great importance. The dialogue seems like it was written for prepubescents which is a damn shame because as far as character concepts go I like yew and magnolia I think they're interesting they just say a lot of stupid unfunny stuff which takes away from what could be a pair of pretty interesting characters. The thing is people are giving this game Effing 8's and 9's some doing so while also acknowledging that the story is a joke and the characters are annoying and try too hard. I can't rightfully give an RPG anything higher than a 6 if it's story and characters don't satisfy, I mean cmon that like half the game dude. Overall I'm pretty disappointed with this game Not because it's bad but because I liked the elements from the first game so much that this game fails to deliver on. If you don't care about the mediocre story and characters and the gratuitously frequent use of bad humor then the games definitely worth a buy otherwise stay clear unless it goes on sale.… Full Review »
  3. destroyer3242
    Apr 24, 2016
    10
    Long story short: If you loved the first one, you will most likely love this one as well.

    Both of the Bravely games are a hit or miss with    Long story short: If you loved the first one, you will most likely love this one as well.

    Both of the Bravely games are a hit or miss with people;

    You either like the story and where it takes it, or you think that it's something that sounded cool, but in reality you think it's boring.

    You either like the gameplay and how it tries to keep the genre fresh, but also familiar, or you think it's a gimmick that tries to continuously revive more classic styled jRPG games.

    You either like the characters and their quirks, stories, and designs, or you think that they're bland, one-dimensional characters that are stubbornly committed to how they are as characters.

    Bravely Second essentially takes what the first game did, and made steady improvements upon it while still keeping familiar to the first game. It still takes place in the same world, yet introduces new locations as well, so you will not very often find yourself doing dungeons you did in the first game (except in the case of side quests).

    But this also means that it is relatively necessary to play the first game before this, given that it's a direct sequel, which may be a difficulty for some who are looking to get into the series, which is why this is more of a game for the fans.

    In addition, the general voice acting quality has also been changed; While the first game had good voice acting, but bad voice directing (MRGRGR), this game generally just has bad voice acting all around. But, how you handle it depends on how you handle voice acting in general. In my case, I found myself getting used to the English voices rather quickly, similar the case when I played Xenoblade Chronicles. It's times like these where I tend to believe that bad voice acting quality does not necessarily mean that it is bad for the characters that they play. Of course, if you can't find yourself getting over it, you can always switch to the Japanese voice actors. The main perk is that you'll actually be able to understand more than half of Magnolia's dialogue since she uses English instead of French.

    Despite all the flaws the game may have, however, I would still give it a 10, simply because, in my case, the flaws are made up by the story, the environments, the gameplay, etc. Once I got this game, I simply could not put it down until I beat it, and I would argue that it would tie with Bravely Default in one of my favorite games, and even more so one of my favorite RPGs.    … Full Review »
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