Bravely Default outsells Lightning Returns in US

Square Enix‘s handheld RPG Bravely Default outsells Lightning Returns in the US. According to NeoGAF‘s ErrenVanDuine, it sold 200,000 while Lightning Returns reached 164,000.

While Bravely Default is a fantastic RPG, this news comes as quite a surprise. Not only is it a new IP, but it’s an RPG that competes with Final Fantasy of all franchises, on platforms with larger install bases. Spinoff or not, the name Final Fantasy usually holds a lot of weight; indeed, Final Fantasy XIII sold over 5 million copies on the PS3 alone. There are a few possible reasons behind this, one of them could be the fact that people may be players are growing weary of the character Lightning, and wish for something a bit more fresh than a game starring FF13‘s heroine. Another possibility to consider, is the desire for old school RPGs to make a comeback.

This could very well be the most likely scenario, at least on Square’s front. Not only are they developing a sequel to BD, known as “Bravely Second“, they also made a game called Final Fantasy All the Bravest; and although this game doesn’t have traditional Final Fantasy gameplay, it seems to be an homage them. So in some sense, it appears as though Square Enix sees a demand for these kinds of RPGs. We may very well experience a second renaissance of old school RPGs, if all continues to go this well.

source: Twitter