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Etrian Odyssey (video game)

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Etrian Odyssey
Etrian Odyssey cover art
Developer(s)Atlus, Lancarse
Publisher(s)Atlus, Nintendo (Europe and Australia)
Designer(s)Kazuya Niinou
Composer(s)Yuzo Koshiro
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Genre(s)Console role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Etrian Odyssey, released in Japan as Template:Nihongo title, is a 3D dungeon crawler role-playing video game by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It was released on January 18, 2007 in Japan, May 15, 2007 in North America, and June 6, 2008 in Europe.

Gameplay

Drawing comparisons to titles such as Wizardry and The Bard's Tale,[1] Etrian Odyssey challenges players with exploring and mapping a vast dungeon. In classic fashion, players navigate through the dungeon a single "step" at a time, moving and turning in fixed increments. Time passes only when an action is taken, causing movement, random encounters, and combat to all be entirely turn-based. The game uses a first-person view to present the dungeon using a combination of relatively simple 3D computer graphics for environments and single-frame 2D sprites for enemies.

As in the era prior to the inclusion of automatic mapping in the genre, Etrian Odyssey requires that players maintain their own map. However, rather than doing so on a separate sheet of graph paper, players do this by directly annotating (with the stylus) a small map displayed on the DS' touchscreen. The accuracy of the map is entirely controlled by the player, so he or she is free to map accurately or haphazardly. However, since the ability to successfully navigate back out of the dungeon (in order to save the game by returning to town) relies on keeping an accurate map, doing so is highly advantageous.

While many console role-playing games ask the player to control pre-existing characters with their own unique characteristics and personalities, Etrian Odyssey requires players to create their own characters from a number of different character types (classes). Each character type has at least one special skill or aptitude. While only five characters can be in the party at a single time, a much larger number can be created and kept in waiting back at the "guild hall". Characters can be switched in and out when in town, so if a given specialty is needed for a specific obstacle, the party can be tailored appropriately. The player customizes characters by allocating skill points to specific skills during level advancement.

Development

The title was first announced by Atlus through Famitsū after demonstrating it behind closed doors at E3 2006.

The development team within Atlus was led by Kazuya Niinou who also directed the development of Atlus' first in-house game for the DS, Trauma Center: Under the Knife. The game features character designs by Yuji Himukai, monster design by Shin Nagasawa, a story by Shigeo Komori, and FM-like music by Yuzo Koshiro.

The game was originally to be released internationally as Yggdrasil Labyrinth, but was renamed to avoid any possible confusion with Yggdra Union (a game published in North America by Atlus a year earlier) or Deep Labyrinth.[2]

Reception

Media Create/Famitsū reported that Etrian Odyssey had sold 119,584 copies in Japan as of July 1, 2007.[8] Atlus' own July 2007 investors report listed US sales of the title at around 30,000 units, roughly 2 months after release.[9]

Although the title was recognized as accomplishing its goals (in terms of presenting a very classic RPG experience), it was noted that this greatly limits its appeal to a certain "hardcore" demographic. The IGN review noted, "[...] if you gave this game to ten players you may find one or two in the group that truly enjoy it".[6] GamePro concurred, remarking "Ultimately, this one is for fans of the genre and not for the short-on-time".[10]

Most reviews noted that those who enjoy rigorous dungeon crawls or fondly recall similar titles from years past may greatly enjoy the game. 1UP.com summarized this sentiment by concluding "Etrian Odyssey will definitely appeal more to the OCD'd than the ADD'd, and its punishing difficulty and very deliberate pacing may turn off younger gamers who grew up on flashier roleplayers. But it offers a real sense of wonder and a sense of accomplishment -- feelings missing from far too many modern games".[3] N-Europe awarded the game an 8/10 score, though criticised its lack of story and the fact that it is "too old school for some".[11]

Sequels

Main article: Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard

Towards the end of 2007, Atlus announced a sequel to Etrian Odyssey.[12] It was reported that the game would feature 12 job classes and that Yuji Himukai, Makoto Nagasawa and Yuzo Koshiro would reprise their roles, with Shigeo Komori taking on the role of director. All original character classes are included, along with three new classes: Beast, Gunner, and War Magus. Screenshots were released showing that the mapping system has been improved, with new symbols that can be added to the map for more detailed and accurate maps.

The sequel was released on February 21, 2008 in Japan. It was later released in North America on June 17, 2008, under the title Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard.

Main article: Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City

In early December 2009, the third installment in the series, titled "Sekaiju no MeiQ 3: Seikai no Raihōsha", was announced in Japan. This game will feature ocean exploring in addition to dungeon exploring, both with the familiar mapping system. In addition, the classes from previous games are removed in favor of all-new classes, including Prince/Princess, Monk, Phalanx, Shinobi, and Pirate. The game was released in Japan on April 1, 2010. A North American release has been confirmed in the upcoming July issue of Nintendo Power titled "Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City" which was released on September 21, 2010.

References

  1. ^ Meunier, Nathan. "Etrian Odyssey Review". Cheat Code Central. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  2. ^ Dobson, Jason (2007-03-21). "Interview: Atlus' Nich Maragos On Etrian Odyssey". Snackbar Games.
  3. ^ a b Fitch, Andrew (2007-05-15). "Reviews: Etrian Odyssey". 1UP.com.
  4. ^ Riley, Adam (October 1, 2007). "C3 News :: Nintendo Wii/DS Reviews – Famitsu Rates Wario, Excite Truck & More". Cubed3.com. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
  5. ^ Magrino, Tom (2007-05-29). "Etrian Odyssey for DS Review". GameSpot.
  6. ^ a b Bozon (2007-05-16). "IGN: Etrian Odyssey Review". IGN.
  7. ^ "Etrian Odyssey". Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  8. ^ Dalthien. "Japan DS/PSP Sales Charts". Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  9. ^ "2007年7月期 決算説明会資料" (PDF). Atlus. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  10. ^ Glasser, AJ (2007-05-15). "Review: Etrian Odyssey for DS". GamePro.
  11. ^ Penny, Steven (2008-08-20). "DS Review: Etrian Odyssey". N-Europe. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  12. ^ IGN Staff (2007-10-03). "Etrian Odyssey Sequel Announced". IGN.
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