Etrian Odyssey, I personally don’t think this game needs any introduction. It holds some notoriety for a DS game. But alas, I wouldn’t be doing a good job if I just jumped into this without setting the scene so let’s go.
Atlus’ Etrian Odyssey series is a set of dungeon crawlers developed for the Nintendo DS with an upcoming title for the 3DS. It reached western shops during May 2007 and has since been messing with many players’ grip on reality, myself included. It's classic take on role playing games, length gameplay time as well as its noticeable challenge factor makes this a game targeted towards the most hardcore of gamers. Trying to write a completely unbiased review on a game sounds like too much effort so enjoy my rather emotive piece on my experiences.
“I’ve never been too fond of all those silent protagonists”.
Etrian Odyssey doesn’t come with a load of characters complete with their own set of emotions to entice and/or baffle us. It throws them away for more 3rd Gen style characters from the days of old. Think Dragon Quest III, where you name a character, define a class for them and then place them in your party. Don’t expect anything else from them except for their simple killing, questing and occasional bouts of being completed dominated by a wave of relentless monsters. But don’t fret; there is a chance to make your characters as unique as you want them to. With every level up you get skill points which can be assigned to skill relevant to your character’s class. With a maximum level of 10 for each skill, these skills can be either passive or active in nature and are essential in ensuring survival of your characters as they progress through the game.
There’s also a Boost mode that characters can hit during battle once their Boost Gauge hits max. While in boost mode the characters gets certain perks for one turn. What they are, I’ll leave it up to you to find out.
“What do you mean there’s no map?!”
The game’s main dungeon is the “Yggdrasil Labyrinth”, a 30 level cavern with a horde of enemies waiting for you. Doesn’t sound too different from other games, does it? Its difference is that these monsters will not hesitate to completely destroy your party starting with your first battle. That’s right, no easy battles to ease you into the game, just a lot of blood, sweat and tears until you can become both strong enough and brave enough to venture to the next floor. That’s if you survive the first battle, mind you. It should be mentioned that you’re not given a map to help you through the Labyrinth – this game expects you to make your own map, which can be drawn on the bottom screen of the DS. You’ll need to draw out the map as you venture because you will need to make your life as easy as you can because you’ll need it a lot if you’re intending to complete this game.
“Get money, get paid”.
Don’t expect this game to give you a lot of money to purchase your constantly needed consumables and your cherished equipment because you won’t. Monsters don’t drop money upon being slain, instead you have to use the drops from them and sell them back at the town to make your money. Selling specific drops also unlocks new items for you to use, if you have enough money to buy them that is. You won’t believe the number of times you’ll see a piece of armour you so desperately need for your Protector, only to realise that you’re completely skint. The game knows how to extort money of you and isn’t afraid to remind you of that fact.
“Aww look it’s a deer...WHAT THE?!”
Etrian Odyssey’s most noticeable aspect is its use of F.O.Es. They go by many names: Formido Oppugnatura Exsequens, Fat Orange Evil, F#*$ing Orange Enemy plus many more other names. It doesn’t change the fact that these things are the spawn of the devil. Roaming around the dungeon seeking new prey, these monsters are the representation of Etrian Odyssey’s mini bosses and they live up to their name by screwing over the lives of adventurers on a regular basis. They always appear at the worst possible time and always find a way of making your life WORSE. F.O.Es have no sense of privacy. They don’t care that you’re fighting another horde of monsters; they’ll just jump on in anywhere to make your life hell. May I remind that these are just the minibosses; the bosses are represented by FLOATING GIANT BLACK DEATH BALLS! (Note: F.O.Es will jump into boss fights as well so ENJOY!) I can’t fully explain to you how much these things hurt and if they were in any other game, I’d probably quit whatever game that was. Straight away.
Their notoriety has caused them to make appearances in other fandoms, the most obvious being caused by this video by the lovely team at IOSYS. I think the video also helps to warn and explain the hell that these freaking abominations bring with every step.
Seriously, HOW THE CRAP CAN A DEER WRECK MY PARTY SO HARD?! IT’S NOT FAIR!
...*ahem* It may seem like I’ve spent my time completely hating on this game but I really enjoyed this game for what it’s worth. Its challenge factor and general system is rather compelling and is useful for making time so quite fast in long intervals. The whole selling materials so you unlock weapons is quite a load of fun as well as the customisation you can put your characters through. Despite this, I must add that this game most surely is not for everyone. Most people to struggle to truly appreciate this game rather preferring to play different games in the genre over this one. But for those who like a challenge, I most certainly would say that game is right down your alley and that you’ll enjoy this one as well its sequels...from what I’ve heard (I haven’t played past the first game yet).
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