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A very fun, old school RPG!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 28 / 28
Date: May 25, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Nowadays, RPGs tend to lead you by the hand, almost as if you're being babysat or something. They lead you on a set path with linear progression, and all of them try to WOW you with flashy graphics and stuff like that. Back in the days of games like Wizardry, there was no such thing as that. You were free to explore the world with little to no guidance and you can take on any missions or quests you wanted. This is the core gameplay element of Etrian Odyssey, a new RPG from the good folks at Atlus that focuses on the good old days, even going as far as making the game have a first person perspective. Can an old school RPG actually be good in this day and age?
There's not much of a story here in Etrian. The only thing you really have to know is that you are a group of guys in a clan who set off to gain riches and recognition. Essentially, you gain recognition by going through quests and missions. So, essentially, the story is really just a minority in this game, which in this case, is fine.
The primarily in Etrian Odyssey is obviously the gameplay. When you first start up, you end up creating your own party. That's right! There is NO set party in Etrian. You chose a name for each character, and you choose the class and what is the character image. There are a total of four character images per class (two male, two female) and there is up to 9 different character classes to choose from, which totals 36 character possibilities. The customization doesn't really end there. As you gain levels, you're able to choose what skills the characters will learn using the skill points you earn. Some skills are necessary to learn other skills, and some of them actually let you do attributes outside of battle, like healing, mining, and the like. So, the possibilities here are almost endless.
During battle, it's a traditional turn based system, of which you select whether to attack, defend, use an item or skill, boost up your stats, or run away from battle altogether. Be forewarned, though, as the enemies in this game are relentless. If you want to have any chance in this game, you have to constantly level up by gaining experience from defeating enemies, learning the right skills, manage your money by selling the items that the enemies drop, and equipping good weapons and armor, this game will give you a good whipping. You also must know when to advance to the next floor of the labyrinth or not. Unless you know you're ready, forget it. You are aloud up to five characters to take out at a time, and you are free to customize your party, but make sure it's a party that is actually good.
You also have to map out your progress. There is no set map at all, and you use the bottom screen to map your progress in the labyrinth. You use it to mark the path, dead ends, treasure, events, and the like. No enemies appear if you're not moving, so you can just stop and map out your progress without worrying about encounters. You can also move and map at the same time, but you run a risk of running into enemies as you map. You can also map during battles as well, since the battles are controlled with the D-pad and buttons. Mapping out your progress helps you out a lot. Plus, since there's no real linear progression, feel free to explore to your heart's content.
Finally, there are the missions and quests you take on. Unlike most RPGs these days, there is no set quest or mission. You actually choose which ones you like to take on when you're in the town. This freedom of choice gives it more legs, and you can actually tackle more than one quest at a time. When you start playing this, you start to wonder why more RPGs these days don't offer this kind of freedom.
Presentation-wise, it's not really that much. The labyrinth itself is done in 3D, and it actually looks pretty lively for a DS game. If you look closely, you can actually see some background effects, like flowers swaying and such. The rest of the graphics are done using 2D artwork with little animation. You view the labyrinth through a first person perspective which actually helps you seeing through the game with your own eyes. In the audio front, the music has a very good charm and also has a bit of a retro flavor, which actually helps it to give off its old school style. There are barely any sound effects, however. There is also no voice over, whatsoever. What's there is appropriate, though, so it does get the job done. To be honest, it's not really trying to get you in with its presentation.
Etrian Odyssey, which must be said, is really not for everyone. RPG gamers who remember the days of Wizardry and other games like it are more likely to get the most out of it. It's also appealing for those who like to be more part of the experience instead of being just a guided character in a story. Everyone else should probably try it first to see if it's your cup of tea. To be honest, I really loved this one, and I suggest you give it a shot.

The best Handheld RPG I have ever played.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 27 / 29
Date: May 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Etrian Odyssey is an amazing game... If you like Old School RPG's than stop reading and get this game.(old school= i.e. Wizardry, Bards Tale.)
I actually bought my DS Lite just to play this game and am glad I did.
The depth of the dungeon is staggering for any system and especially so on a hand-held system.
You make your own maps of the dungeon with the styles on the bottom screen and the action happens on the top. I have been playing for about 20 hours and I would estimate I am about half done.
The game is tough, but not in a cheap way.

Pros:
-You can use any combination of 9 classes in your 5 person party.
-Side quests are interesting and varied.
-The dungeon areas are very different with hundreds monsters and items.
-The story is really interesting
-Freedom in general; to do what you want...
-Great art style

Cons:
-Could be too hard for some people (Challenge is a good thing)

In my 25 years of playing RPG's, Etrian Odyssey is in my top 3 and it's the best one on the DS! Atlus please bring the sequel to the USA...

Engaging in its Simplicity, almost primitive.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: June 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is exhilarating because it is genuinely hard. You worry when going deeper into the dungeon. It's hard because you have to manage your fighting resources, avoid the minibosses, play tactically against opponents, use money wisely. Experience is hard earned. Diversity is prized. Some people will be turned off that they can't "run and gun" their way to a boss or miniboss and reveal that next cutscene; the pace is slow, and the story is light compared to modern RPGs.

Etrian Odyssey has a simple, primitive game structure. There is the town and there is the dungeon. You can only save in town. There are only 5 NPCs you talk to and only 3 of them do you talk to frequently; the innkeeper (who heals you and saves), the quest giver and the blacksmith.

In the dungeon combat is likened to final fantasy 1-5; Your turn, theirs, then resolve the actions based on character stat speed priority. FF1-5 was 10-15 years ago. The uncertainty of who will act next, do you have the priority to heal him after he gets attacked so I don't overheal, is a throwback to that generation of RPGs. You'll find yourself wondering, could he survive another hit? will the enemy do an aoe or one hit kill someone unless I choose to defend? can I get this kill before he attacks?

Maddening at times, but the diversity of the character skills and the choice of 9 (7 at first) classes means the game can be played differently with a different set of worries. Like when you chose jobs of FF3.

You will die, you will find yourself running for reasons other than not wanting to deal with lvl 1 trash encounter, you will be broke, you will not be able to complete a quest immediately, you will have to traverse a dangerous landscape back to save, but you will enjoy it, all in the name of exploring this beautiful and memorable dungeon.

Nod to the old school

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 22 / 24
Date: June 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Etrian Odyssey is as old school as it comes when thinking of the RPG's and dungeon crawlers of the past, and in this case that's not such a bad thing after all. At first glance it seems like a simple, tried and true, turn based RPG, but once you get deep into the core gameplay of Etrian Odyssey, you'll see it for what it really is. The game offers some incredibly challenging gameplay elements as you tackle the usual RPG settings, particularly labyrinths. Not to mention that the various abilities of you and your party are just begging to be tinkered with, which also provides a great deal of fun and challenge as well. What really makes Etrian Odyssey worth checking out is the great use that the game makes of the DS' dual screens, touch screen, and stylus. The mapping interface used with the touch screen and stylus is inventive and helps set the game apart from the recent flood of RPG's to hit the DS, along with the overall atmosphere and charming graphics as well. The only real downsides of Etrian Odyssey are the same problems that plague many RPG's: there is far too much back tracking involved in your lengthy quest, and when I say lengthy, I mean lengthy. The game offers a long and satisfying story and quest, but the game's steep learning curve and difficulty may put off some gamers. Despite it's few flaws though, Etrian Odyssey is a real treat for longtime and hardcore RPG or dungeon crawler addicts that own a DS, and it is definitely worth picking up.

Great little RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: June 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I found Etrian Odyssey kind of easy actually except in certain spots where you run into like a traffic jam of enemies and you have to keep re-entering the dungeon to build up exp to pass those bottlenecks. The mapping is a cool feature, very interseting, with the GUI seeming like it's lifted straight from Trauma Center. It's fun exploring the labyrinths as each level is uniquely laid out (none of it is random as might be expected from people who grew up on Fargoal or Diablo). It has nice art and music, but not much animation or strategy. It's a throwback to old-style RPGs of the 80s and they hired Yuzo Koshiro to do the music in an FM-style like the PC-88 -- it sounds good, although the tracks are more subtle than flooring and they grow on you. The controls also work well. The only gripe I could think of with the controls was that you had to exit a menu to go into another menu when buying things in order to compare prices and see if you already had the item, whereas in games like Castlevania it immediately does the comparing for you. The dungeon art was the single best aspect about this game, in my opinion. The different textures scale well and are effectively moody and mysterious. Monster art is also good. The rest of the art was kind of anime-ish, which sucks, but it's drawn well. Overall I had a lot of fun playing this one and will probably play it again sometime with a more unusual roster.

Atlus Again, Doing What It Does Best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: June 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

A classic RPG set in the first person mode (like Counterstrike or any other FPS). Atlus owns the DS in uniqueness.

I'll admit, I don't get stuck to a particular game for a very long period of time, mainly because I don't have the time to devote to it. While the same goes for Etrian Odyssey, I could tell immediately that this was a well made game, probably the most intricately designed game for the DS.

The same day I walked into EB Games to buy Naruto (which I later decided against and bought Izuna instead), I picked up Etrian Odyssey, simply because I had never heard of it. I love doing that, but it's disappointed me very many times.

Fortunately, Etrian Odyssey did not. RPG fans, this game has it all: good storyline, good character development, slow and deliberate character building through the classic EXP system, a very intricately designed dungeon system, mages, warriors, bards, rogues, archers... It's got it all.

While I haven't ventured far enough to discover any personal dislikes for the game or any cons to the overall value of the game, it's definitely not for everybody. In the same way some people prefer Crazy Taxi over a Final Fantasy game, Etrian will find a distinct fan base, but I have to highly stress that it will most likely not disappoint.

$29.99 like most other Atlus releases, it's worth every penny to those that are interested in a fresh new DS RPG that's new on the shelves.

Old school RPG, indeed

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 13
Date: June 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is a grind-fest with practically zero story. I felt like I was playing a primitive RPG. I will admit it is one of few RPGs I have played that is truly challenging.

I am not sure why this is on the DS. Besides the draw your own map idea the game makes no use of its power. There is almost no animation. You never see your characters except in a portrait in menus. Battle is represented by an enemy portrait being assaulted by a flash and either a yellow slash or maybe a lightning bolt. The rest of the game is done by exploring a 3D maze first-person style sometimes avoiding a glowing ball that represents a tougher enemy or navigating menus in town.

If you like true old school gaming on the go this game is for you. If you want a more evolved game with more substance, I don't recommend this one.

Seems like the old times, but not quite as good.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: June 21, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is a breath of fresh air. I started playing RPGs way back on the commodore64. Legacy of the Ancients anyone? I was and am a true Bards Tale fan. The story lines were very in depth and the control you had over the developement of your characters was intense. You were never really dragged on a leash from one setting to the next. Though you usually got your rear handed to you if you tried an area way to tough. And not to mention the fact that graph paper was a must, or you would spend some time trying to get out of dungeons. Even if you had a kick butt team, getting lost in a labrynth was just no fun.

I remember how I hated how different asian RPGs were in comparison to american. When I was that kid looking for a C64 game and getting a nintendo version I was dissapointed. Though I have learned to love them of late.

So Etrian Odyssey tried to bring back some of that old flavore, and for the most part has. But the big thing here is they brought SOME of that old flavour. I still feel that a lot more that could have been put into this game to give it perfection. The biggest let down being the non-story line. What story there is is very sparse. And has to do with "We don't know what the bottom looks like". And a couple of jobs to complete on the side. Like "This kid is dying and wants to see a lvl 20 guy before then". Or get this holy water and come back, please.

What you are left with is a complete dungeon crawl. And hey I like that. But not everyone will. I've read the reviews and though I've never played wizardry, I am a fan of the oldies. So for those of you who remember those games and, well, have time to waste. This is a game for you. But this is by know means a Riviera: the promised land, or final fantasy 12.

BEST GAME EVAR

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 27
Date: June 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind;

F O E! F O E!

Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind;

F O E! F O E!

Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind,

etc.

Great old-school dungeon crawler

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 8
Date: June 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I spent many days during my misspent youth playing the original Wizardry RPG on my Apple II, making little paper maps to mark my way through the dungeon.

Etrian Odyssey captures that old-school feeling, complete with annotating your own map as you traverse the labyrinth. I never thought that I'd ever again have the patience to draw my own map in a dungeon crawler, but Etrian Odyssey makes it fun (it does most of the grunt work for you, leaving you to just fill in a few details here and there).

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