So I think i'm about to finish chapter 4...with my post about a week ago I was loving the game, but now that i'm deeper into it I can tell you my opinion has gone down...

I don't really mind difficulty spikes. I actually kind of like them, it's like the game slaps you in the face when you thought you could just breeze through it. Everyone on the planet hates them, because how they can ruin the pacing and one's enjoyment of the experience. So i've been trying to understand why is it that I don't mind them, and i've come to a conclusion: most games i've played that have them, the spikes weren't very abrupt...they ARE in Bravely Default. After chapter 2 the game increases its difficulty substantially, to a point where level 66 knights with high defense can get one-hit killed by a very common enemy. True, I am in Hard mode, but even so this spike is WAY too noticeable for me to swallow it and appreciate the given challenge. The game was being reasonably challenging, and now it's like every match I have i'm fighting for my life. Which would be AWESOME if the designers knew how to design a challenging game through a gradual increase and not in a ridiculously abrupt way.

Although this is a glaring issue that many people took notice in Bravely Default, i'm still enjoying it. If only this difficulty was well designed, and properly introduced to the player, this would easily elevate Bravely Default as one of my all time favorite RPG's. If only...