Bravely Second: Censored Layer and The Downward Spiral of Localization

It’s no secret that the follow up to Square Enix’s traditional JRPG callback has been censored heavily. Ranging from covered up costumes to one altered class that could be seen as “offensive”, the Bravely franchise is no stranger to this line of work. The original Bravely Default was also censored, modifying certain costumes to be less revealing so these kinds of changes in the sequel shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Unfortunately, the alterations don’t just stop at costumes because the localization for Bravely Second: End Layer has now cut out legitimate content. In the original Japanese release of the game, side quests consisted of decisions that could alter the way each quest would play out. There could be a total of up to four endings for these side quests. Consequence played a big role, seeing as characters could die in these possible outcomes. Sides had to be taken. The western localization, however, has removed all of that.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Reminds me of the days where I played the Ace Combat series only to find out, as I grew older, the huge amount of content removed in their Western releases (Ace Combat 3 and 4 being the most heart breaking due to huge story elements vanishing.) We have people in the game industry shouting door to door (internet wise of course) of how gaming needs to mature yet they censor the very things they are asking for......

[contradictory]

it's 2016 Square Enix... please stop giving a handjob for SJW-tards and feminazis, they're not your demographic m8

[wheresmymonkey]

Female gamers are not Square Enix's target demographic... You do realize that JRPGs have a huge female following both inside and outside of Japan.

Also the main reason for 'censorship' in Bravely Second is because the ESRB take a very dim view of games that sexualise childredn (eg characters under the age of 18) and since i'm guessing Nintendo wanted a T rating and not an M or AO because a 16 year old character was wearing a slightly skimpier skirt. they thought it was easier to alter the models slightly than have to fight against american cultural mores and the ratings board.

But yeah... it's feminists...

[Darkwatchman]

Why is there no player choice and consequence in side quests then? See, that's the thing. The censorship started off innocently enough in the first game with a few minor costume changes, but now the sequel has costume changes on top of butchered side quests. That's the problem with censorship of any kind. If it continues to be supported, it eventually seeps into aspects of the games that actually matter like the cut side quest content in Bravely Second. I would have gotten the game if the only censorship was the costumes and the one class as much as I disagree with those changes, but the alteration to the side quests is where I draw the line.

[contradictory]

so? not all females are feminazis by default now are they? atleast none of the ones i know are

also i get what you're saying about the ESRB
and there's a possibility it's the reason but
simultaneously series like Senran Kagura exists and it has like 100 times the fanservice and their ages vary from 15-21 so what makes that series the special snowflake? did they bribe ESRB or something? lol.

[GrimDragon]

Wow this is so sad....it's like we're regressing back to the pilgrim days. What I don't get is why bring these games to Nintendo when you know they will butcher your game for the sake of kids. What scares me is that Nintendo has influence in the industry they keep getting these games and butchering them for questionable content as if trying to set an example for other companies to follow. This is like the fourth game in a few months they did this to. If you have to do this to a game to have it on your system why bother? I find this to be a huge disrespect to the creators all for the sake of profit margins and maintaining your squeaky clean image while capitalizing on a game that frankly shouldnt even be on your system.

[gamer7804]

Anything that is censored for a release here I'm boycotting now, to many other intact games worth playing. After enough drop in sales maybe they'll realize

[DivineAssault]

I really hate when games get thrashed like this.. I like the series but its really getting out of hand when not only costumes but features or consequences are removed because the west is too sensitive to handle it.. Its such BS because if you dont buy it, theyll stop releasing them here but if you do, your supporting stupid decisions like this.. Damned both ways

[Rachel_Alucard]

This is semi related but Marvel recently broke box office records releasing an R rated Deadpool movie. Kids still went and saw it (despite all those adverts of Deadpool warning parents not to bring them). Now Hollywood is releasing more R rated superhero movies, like Suicide Squad and the new Wolverine movie thats coming out.

My point is that the age rating on media does not have any affect on who buys/plays games. If an M rated Bravely Second were to release in the U.S you can bet its sales would actually bolster from this fact. If a parent finds something inappropriate that wasn't clear to them on the box they just return the game. The fact that everyone has to suffer because of a lack of research and ability to admit mistakes is killing the market.

[Stealth20k]

does not matter