Why A Bravely Default Sequel Would Be Good News For Another Team Asano Game

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As a long-time fan of Square Enix and their incredible RPGs, I’ve been following Team Asano’s work with bated breath since the release of Bravely Default in 2014. With their latest comments about multiple projects planned for 2025, I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of a new Bravely Default game. It’s been quite some time since the release of Bravely Default 2 in 2021, and as we stand on the precipice of 2024, the year of the RPG renaissance, I can only imagine the thrill that awaits us in the coming months.

But let me tell you, dear reader, it’s not just Bravely Default that deserves a third entry; Octopath Traveler is long overdue for its own threequel. Team Asano has a knack for alternating between these two beloved franchises, with Bravely Default preceding the first Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default 2 arriving just 2 years ahead of the much-anticipated Octopath Traveler 2. While they’re hardly the only properties that Team Asano is involved with, a new Bravely Default game could very well pave the way for Octopath Traveler 3.

The history of these two series, their shared combat mechanics, and Team Asano’s development cadence all point to a new mainline Octopath Traveler title being in the works. And if that weren’t enough, the financial success of both games makes it a no-brainer for Square Enix and Team Asano to continue these franchises. The first Octopath Traveler sold well on its own, but Octopath Traveler 2 surpassed a million units in just three months! If Bravely Default is getting a new entry, I’d be shocked if we didn’t see another installment of the Octopath Traveler series hot on its heels.

Now, let me leave you with this little joke: How do you know it’s time for a new Octopath Traveler game? When Team Asano says “Bravely Default”!

According to recent statements by Team Asano, their upcoming project announcements for 2025 align with earlier rumors about the development of a new game in the Bravely Default series. It’s been quite some time since the last release in this series, namely Bravely Default 2 in 2021. With 2024 being dubbed as the “Year of RPGs,” gamers are eagerly anticipating more role-playing game experiences in the coming months, given the ongoing resurgence of the genre. However, a third installment of Bravely Default is not the only title from Team Asano that seems due for a sequel; Octopath Traveler could also use a follow-up at an earlier date.

Based on the pattern observed in Team Asano’s previous releases, the launch of a new game in the Bravely Default series might hint that an Octopath Traveler sequel isn’t too far off. It appears that the studio switches between these two intellectual properties, with the initial Bravely Default games preceding the first Octopath Traveler, and Bravely Default 2 being released just 2 years before the anticipated Octopath Traveler 2. Although Team Asano works on multiple other projects as well, a new Bravely Default game could potentially set the stage for an Octopath Traveler 3.

Bravely Default’s Resurgence Paves the Way for a New Octopath Traveler Game

Team Asano is often chosen by Square Enix for creating RPGs that have a retro feel in terms of both mechanics and visuals. This includes both new games designed with vintage graphics and gameplay, as well as remakes of old games from their catalog. For instance, they developed the remake of “Live A Live” and also helped with the recent remakes of the initial three games in the “Dragon Quest” series. However, many players first became familiar with Team Asano through their two most popular original works: “Bravely Default” and “Octopath Traveler”.

Alongside both games being produced by Team Asano and sharing the characteristics of modern role-playing games with a traditional flair, both Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler employ comparable tactics in combat, particularly through a robust system that allows players to trade potential turns for increased actions within a single turn. Notably, Team Asano has traditionally released new games in the Bravely Default series followed by new installments in the Octopath Traveler franchise. Consequently, the speculation about a 2025 unveiling or launch of a new Bravely Default game suggests that a third primary Octopath Traveler title might not be far behind.

Octopath Traveler 2’s Success Makes a Third Entry a Foregone Conclusion

From the background and pace of projects by Team Asano, it seems financially logical to produce another major installment in the Octopath Traveler series. Given that modern AAA games with full 3D graphics have rapidly increasing budgets, developing a 2D title like Octopath Traveler and its follow-up is probably more affordable. The strong sales of these games make them a secure financial decision for Square Enix and their development studios, including Team Asano. The success of the first Octopath Traveler was notable, but the swift sale of over a million units of the sequel suggests that a third game in the series may well be approved.

In February 2023, the game Octopath Traveler 2 was launched, and it took around three months for the game to sell over a million copies. A significant factor contributing to this success could be the simultaneous release of the game on PC and multiple consoles as opposed to the timed exclusive release on the Nintendo Switch with the original game. Similarly, Bravely Default 2 saw an increase in sales after its PC version was released. If Team Asano is developing a new Bravely Default game, it’s probable that a new Octopath Traveler will also be developed, and both titles are likely to have multi-platform releases.

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2025-01-01 16:37