Square Enix’s Shocking Switch 2 Exclusive: Bravely Default Remaster Revealed!

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As an ardent gaming enthusiast, I must admit my excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 despite the buzz around its unveiling. What truly piques my interest is its launch lineup that boasts a stellar selection of games. Apart from its marquee exclusive title, Mario Kart World, it’s set to debut alongside heavyweight third-party offerings such as Split Fiction, Cyberpunk 2077, the Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, and Hogwarts Legacy. Among these, the one that catches me off guard is the upcoming game, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster. This forthcoming title is a polished version of a 2013 JRPG for Nintendo 3DS, developed by Square Enix and Silicon Studio. The HD remaster is being crafted by Cattle Call, and it’s exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.

The “Bravely Default” video game series has always been limited to Nintendo consoles since its inception. Each game in the franchise initially launched on one of Nintendo’s systems and was distributed globally by Nintendo. Interestingly, only one title from the series, “Bravely Default 2,” released in 2021, appeared on a non-Nintendo platform, which was Windows PCs, shortly after its debut on the Nintendo Switch. Considering this pattern, it’s not unexpected that the “Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster” will also be exclusive to a Nintendo console; however, it contradicts Square Enix’s commitment to releasing games across multiple platforms.

Square Enix is Falling Back into Its Old Habits With the Upcoming Bravely Default Remaster

Square Enix Has Often Made its Games Exclusive to Certain Consoles

Square Enix is accustomed to releasing its games only on specific platforms. Unlike other publishers such as Capcom, EA, and SEGA, Square Enix frequently restricts the availability of its games, either voluntarily or by entering exclusivity agreements with platform owners. For instance, recent major releases like Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Final Fantasy 16 initially came out only on PlayStation consoles; they were later made available for PC.

Square Enix Has Claimed It Will Adopt a Multiplatform Business Model Going Forward

In the past, Square Enix’s exclusive approach thrived during the PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 periods, but it’s not as effective in today’s console landscape. The company has admitted to investors that many of its recent exclusives have underperformed financially, with the Final Fantasy series being a prominent instance. To address this issue, Square Enix unveiled a three-year long-term growth initiative called “Square Enix Reboots and Awakens” in May 2024. This new strategy aims to make various adjustments throughout their business, with the most significant shift being a move towards multiplatform game development.

As per the statement made at the time, Square Enix announced their intention to adopt a comprehensive strategy, reaching across multiple platforms such as Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs. This led many gaming enthusiasts to speculate that future games from the publisher, including the beloved Final Fantasy series, would no longer be confined to any single console. However, despite most recent titles being made available on multiple platforms, the forthcoming remaster of Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, titled HD Remaster, has shown that this is not an absolute rule for all future games from Square Enix.

The Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Should Be On as Many Platforms as Possible

It appears restricting the “Bravely Default” remaster solely to the Switch 2 may not be a sound business move. Given that it’s essentially an upgraded version of a 3DS game, one might expect it to perform well on the original Switch. Therefore, it’s puzzling why the game isn’t being released on that console. Moreover, as “Bravely Default” is a less mainstream series and this remaster is based on a decade-old game, it seems improbable that it would attract massive numbers of people to buy a Switch 2. To maximize its reach, Square Enix could consider porting the “Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster” to various platforms such as PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This strategy would enable them to introduce the series to a broader audience, thereby boosting its global popularity. If Square Enix is serious about their multiplatform strategies, they should avoid confining access to games, even smaller ones like “Bravely Default,” to specific platforms.

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2025-04-09 02:06