Janine "Iris Ophelia" Hawkins' ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style
How often do you see a trailer for a demo? Not for the game itself, but specifically for its demo? Bravely Default isn't even available in North America until February 7th, but the upcoming JRPG's rather unique playable demo hit the Nintendo 3DS e-Shop last night, promising hours of gameplay and story that is not only distinct from the game, but that will also unlock content if and when the player switches to the full version. There are also AR cards packaged with the boxed version of the game (and also found on the official Bravely Default site) which work with the demo to reveal interactive augmented-reality scenes for each of the key characters.
It's fairly unusual for a demo to act as a standalone item rather than simply being a slice straight out of the product itself, though recent indie titles like The Stanley Parable and Kentucky Route Zero come to mind. That's what makes this such an interesting choice, especially for a 3DS title; playing the demo is important (even for customers who are already planning to buy the game come February) and not just a throwaway experience. It's not a free sample at the grocery store, it's a free meal... Or at least an appetizer.
Whether you plan to play Bravely Default next month or not, this demo is certainly worth checking out.
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