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Atlus crawls back into the dungeon with Etrian Odyssey 5
Mere days after the North American debut of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, Atlus is planning a return to lengthy, life-consuming dungeon crawls with the newly-unveiled Etrian Odyssey 5. Little is known of the next entry in the long-running, cult-hit series, as Atlus has only revealed a teaser site and the Japanese-language trailer beyond the break. Presumably it will involve first-person dungeon crawling, powerful FOE enemies and stylized anime artwork, though these are just assumptions based on the history of a series that is known for clinging to classic, well-worn gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, along with a dearth of gameplay info, Atlus has also yet to reveal a release date or target platform for Etrian Odyssey 5. As a result, it's currently unknown if the game will reach Western shores or if it will remain exclusive to Japan. [Image: Atlus]
Etrian Odyssey 4, Untold $20 each on eShop this week
We knew there was an eShop sale on the way for the Etrian Odyssey 3DS games, and now we know the discounts. EO4: Legends of the Titan and EO Untold: The Millennium Girl are each going for half-price at $20, and that sale runs through until Monday, May 19. Atlus' dungeon-mapping series has enjoyed a strong start on 3DS. New entry EO4 took four stars in our review, which praised the RPG for being accessible while retaining the series' core values. Meanwhile, EO Untold is a remake of the first Etrian Odyssey, but with enough "tedium-reducing improvements" to also earn four stars. While it's an entry in another franchise, Etrian Odyssey fans will see the series' dungeon-crawling elements return in upcoming 3DS game Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. [Image: Atlus]
Report: Persona Q features FOE battles, touch-screen cartography
While it's long been known that Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth blends characters from Atlus' beloved Persona franchise with the mechanics of its likewise beloved Etrian Odyssey games, we've had scant solid information on how exactly this collaboration would work - until now. Famitsu, via Siliconera translation, claims that the map-making functionality of Etrian Odyssey will make an appearance in Persona Q. This gives prospective dungeon crawlers the chance to sketch out a map of their virtual surroundings using the 3DS' touchscreen. It's unknown how big a role this feature will play in Persona Q, though in the Etrian Odyssey games it was just shy of mandatory for anyone hoping to make any real progress. Likewise, Persona Q will feature FOE encounters. Officially, "FOE" is an acronym for "Formido Oppugnatura Exsequens," but more pragmatically you can think of these FOEs as largely optional boss encounters. Killing a FOE results in great rewards, but more often than not, it will be in a player's best interest to flee from the battle until properly prepared for that specific fight. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth lacks a specific release date, but Atlus has targeted the Fall of 2014 to launch the handheld roleplaying epic. [Image: Atlus]
Europe will plumb the depths of Etrian Odyssey Untold on May 2
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl, the latest entry in Nippon Ichi Software's cult-favorite dungeon crawling series, will finally reach European shores on May 2. Like all Etrian Odyssey games, Untold sees players navigating a series of labyrinthine structures from a first-person perspective while battling fiends in turn-based fashion. Mechanically it's a very classic, arguably dated take on the roleplaying genre, but these archaic elements are countered by modern aesthetics, sound and the convenience of being able to map your surroundings directly on the 3DS touchscreen. Danny's review of the North American release awarded the game 4 of 5 stars, alternately describing Etrian Odyssey Untold as "an enjoyable nostalgia trip for Etrian Odyssey veterans" and "the best entry point in the series." Publisher NIS America Europe has yet to reveal a price point for the European release of Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl. [Image: NIS America]
Etrian Odyssey Untold confirmed for Europe next year
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is coming to Europe in 2014, thanks to another partnership between Atlus and NIS America. The latter will bring the game to Euro retail shelves and eShops, while a two-dungeon demo is also confirmed to be on its way. Atlus' 3DS RPG, which hit North America this year, is a re-imagination of the first Etrian Odyssey, balancing the series' defining penchant for cartography with a new auto-mapping feature. It features other major additions like a Story mode, with voice acting and animated cutscenes, and a new Grimoire Stone system to customize and modify characters' classes. While it was perhaps slightly overshadowed by the arrival of Etrian Odyssey 4, our four-star review deemed Untold the best entry point in the series, thanks to its variety of "tedium-reducing improvements."
Etrian Odyssey Untold launch trailer tells all
The launch trailer for Etrian Odyssey Untold is a rapid-fire look at the game's new features, though more accurately it serves as a showcase for the new animated sequences created by famed studio Madhouse to nudge along the Etrian Odyssey plotline.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Etrian Odyssey Untold, Rune Factory 4, Donkey Kong 3
It's a good week for 3DS-wielding RPG fans, with both Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (which we rather enjoyed) and Rune Factory 4 arriving on the eShop on October 1. If that's not enough for you, Shin Megami Tensei 4 is on sale staring next week for $39.99, $10 off the usual price. The sale runs from October 1 until on October 14 at 9am PT. The Wii U, meanwhile, picks up the Virtual Console release of Donkey Kong 3 (or, as any gamer over thirty knows it, "that weird one with the bug spray"). That's the only new release on the Wii U eShop this week, though there will also be a sale on the excellent Runner 2 starting next week. From October 1 through October 7 (9am PT), it will be 33 percent off its usual price of $14.99.
Etrian Odyssey Untold review: Building a better dungeon
Etrian Odyssey was a revelation upon its initial release in 2007, scratching a dungeon-crawling itch that many RPG fans never knew they had. While the Wizardry series and other first-person dungeon crawlers are popular among a dedicated set of players, some are put off by their convoluted mechanics and high difficulty. Etrian Odyssey removed many barriers to the genre, presenting an accessible quest that won fans with refined gameplay, tricky dungeon layouts, and abundant character customization options. Since then, the Etrian Odyssey series has piled new layers of complexity on top of the original structure, ensuring a satisfying sense of progression for series veterans, but also alienating newcomers. Even the most recent sequel, Etrian Odyssey 4, posed a steep challenge for new players; while Casual mode dropped the game's difficulty, its underlying mechanics were obtuse to a first-timer. With Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl, Atlus returns to the original Etrian Odyssey, paring down its mechanics and crafting a quest focused on accessibility. Atlus further enhances the experience with a new Story mode and long-overdue gameplay additions that make dungeon-diving easier than ever. The result is both an ideal starting point for beginners and a significant improvement over the original game, though series veterans may balk at the idea of returning to Etria so soon after the release of the latest sequel.
Meet Simon in new Etrian Odyssey Untold trailer
Despite his claims of leadership, Simon's true role in Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is best described as "that guy who keeps you from dying when a transforming boulder pig tramples your party into paste."
Etrian Odyssey Untold trailer reveals the pure perils of classic mode
This Etrian Odyssey Untold trailer shows off its "classic mode," in which players forgo the game's story and stock characters in favor of a custom-built party picked from nine different character classes for pure dungeon-crawling action. The game launches October 1 on 3DS.
Demowatch: Diablo 3, FIFA 14, PES 2014, Etrian Odyssey Untold
What do Diablo 3, FIFA 14, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, and Etrian Odyssey Untold have in common? Fantastically little, really, they're drastically different games after all - well, apart from FIFA 14 and PES 2014. Not our best riddle, frankly. Oh wait: They all have demos coming out soon! Diablo 3 on consoles, FIFA 14 and PES 2014 get theirs this week, while 3DS RPG Etrian Odyssey Untold receives an eShop demo on September 16. The Diablo 3 demo is out now on Xbox Live (as a Gold-exclusive), and hits PlayStation Network later today. The demo goes as far as the Skeleton King, the action-RPG's first boss, and features all five Hero classes and both local and online multiplayer. Meanwhile, the FIFA 14 demo has already kicked off on PC and XBL, taking to the field on PSN later today. It lets you play as one of eight teams: Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris St. Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls, and Boca Juniors. As for the PES 2014 demo, it's out on XBL now too, and should hit PSN today. Bear in mind, Euro-folk, PSN tradition is for updates there on Wednesday, so FIFA 14, PES 2014 and Diablo 3 demos may arrive then. However, EA Community Manager Rob Hodson tweeted this morning to say the FIFA 14 demo could hit today, around 5PM UK time.
Etrian Odyssey Untold pre-order bonuses include art book, music
Pre-ordering the 3DS-exclusive Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl will grant players the "Etrian Untold, Unseen, Unheard" pre-order bonuses, Atlus revealed in a statement. Bonuses include a design book with concept art, notes and comics and a 7-track music CD that features a live version of the game's opening theme by Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage, Ys series). Etrian Odyssey Untold is an updated version of the original Etrian Odyssey for the DS. It features re-worked dungeon maps and challenges for the original quest as well as an additional story mode that explores the origins of the Yggdrasil Tree. The latter offers a pre-assembled party with dialogue and transitional scenes by Madhouse Studios (Trigun, Death Note). Picnic and Standard difficulty modes have been added for newcomers, but an additional Expert mode will keep series veterans on their toes. Etrian Odyssey Untold simultaneously launches at retail and on the eShop on October 1st.
Etrian Odyssey Untold presents a fresh face this fall
Etrian Odyssey remake Untold: The Millennium Girl treks onto the eShop and retail shelves in North America on October 1, mapped out at a price of $40. The 3DS dungeon-crawler adds a new story mode with voice acting and animated cutscenes, alongside a 3D version of the original DS game. To see how old and new balance out, check out our preview. Meanwhile, NIS America confirmed to us Etrian Odyssey 4 completes its journey to Europe on August 30. According to reviewer Kat Bailey, EO4 is one of the two best RPGs on the 3DS - the other being the excellent Fire Emblem: Awakening - so it should be worth the wait.
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl is a friendlier remake
After a rocky and disappointing first year, the 3DS has transformed into a juggernaut of Japanese RPGs, with developer Atlus leading the charge. This year alone, the company will have four first-person RPGs to its name: Etrian Odyssey IV, Soul Hackers, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and the upcoming Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl – not bad for such a relatively niche product. The only issue comes from the fact that this particular subgenre rarely offers the accessibility of your typical Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, though Atlus hopes to remedy this issue when The Millenium Girl launches this fall.%Gallery-191075%
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl maps out 3DS this fall
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl will bring dungeon-crawling anime cartography to the 3DS sometime this fall, Atlus announced this morning. When it launches, this semi-remake of the original Etrian Odyssey will be available in both physical and digital flavors, the later provided through the 3DS eShop. The game's Story mode, which features voice acting and animated cutscenes created by the folks who handled those duties for Persona 4 Golden and Persona 4 Arena, is a first for the franchise. Likewise, the new "Grimoire Stone" system forgoes class skill limitations found in previous entries by allowing players to assign skills and create hybridized characters themselves. Meanwhile, Classic mode is an updated, 3D version of the original Etrian Odyssey, enhanced with the Grimoire Stone system and made flexible by three new difficulty modes: Picnic, Standard and Expert.%Gallery-191075%
