Bravely Default Collector's Edition

Square Enix revived the job system, handed it to Silicon Studio, and let Akihiko Yoshida make it beautiful. The Bravely Default Collector's Edition on 3DS pairs the JRPG that reminded everyone turn-based combat still had teeth with a deluxe softcover artbook, 34 augmented reality cards, and a soundtrack CD in a jewel case.

The artbook showcases Yoshida's character and costume designs in that unmistakable style, the same hand that shaped Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story. Seeing his work in a dedicated book, even softcover, gives you a concentrated dose of one of the most distinctive art directions in modern JRPGs. Every job class, every character variation, rendered with that painterly precision.

The 34 augmented reality cards were a clever use of the 3DS hardware, bringing characters to life through the handheld's camera. The tech novelty has faded, but as physical collectibles they've only gained charm. Each card is a miniature portrait, and a full set of 34 gives you a tangible roster of the game's cast and classes.

The soundtrack CD in a proper jewel case is a touch of class that gets overlooked. Revo of Linked Horizon composed the score, blending orchestral fantasy with progressive rock sensibilities that gave Bravely Default a sound unlike anything else on the 3DS. Having that on a physical disc, housed in a jewel case rather than a paper sleeve, shows someone cared about presentation.

Bravely Default proved that the audience for traditional JRPGs hadn't vanished, it had just been waiting. The Collector's Edition is the physical proof that the revival happened, and it belongs on any 3DS shelf that takes the genre seriously.