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Etrian Odyssey's next crossover maps out Mystery Dungeon
Just as Persona Q hits the West, Atlus revealed that another Etrian Odyssey crossover is speeding rather than crawling its way onto 3DS. Etrian Odyssey and the Mystery Dungeon sees the map-making dungeon crawler series mix it up with Spike Chunsoft's long-running roguelike, best known in the West for the recent Pokemon spinoffs. The portable mash-up will be in Japanese hands in just a few months' time, starting March 5, 2015 to be specific. As Tiny Cartridge notes, the last time Mystery Dungeon broke out of its Pokeball was some six years ago, when Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon trotted onto Wii. As per the recently-unveiled Etrian Odyssey 5, details are scant at the moment beyond a new trailer, which you can check out below the break. That includes word of a Western release, but both series have traditionally found their way abroad in recent years. Plus, there's some English text right at the end of the video: "Dungeon RPG is forever. This is the new origin."
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 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.
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.
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.
Report: Japan embarks on 'New Etrian Odyssey' in June
We've only just gotten Etrian Odyssey 4, and those in Japan who dare to die in dungeons are already waiting for a new one. The latest issue of Famitsu magazine reveals New Etrian Odyssey: Millennium Girl, a 3DS reimagining of the original Etrian Odyssey.According to early reports, this game swaps out the light-on-story, character-creation-driven approach of previous Etrians in favor of a story, with defined characters you meet along the way. The Famitsu report says New Etrian Odyssey will be out in Japan on June 27.
Etrian Odyssey 4 set to reach North America by early 2013
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is journeying to North America early next year, Atlus today announced. It's no surprise to see the 3DS dungeon crawler localized following the Western release of the first three entries in the portable series, but now we have a release window along with a RRP of $39.99.As per the Japanese version, the fourth entry comes with a 'Casual' mode, set to an easier difficulty to help newcomers acclimatize to the usually unforgiving series. Casual mode gives you a permanent item that lets you warp out of dungeons back to town. There's also no Game Over screen, with dying in Casual mode instead sending you back to town too.
Etrian Odyssey IV coming to the 3DS in Japan, classes detailed
Atlus has officially confirmed that Etrian Odyssey IV is on its way to the Nintendo 3DS in Japan later this year. The fourth in the series of popular RPGs (Etrian Odyssey 3 arrived in North America last year) will have an easier casual difficulty setting, and will boast seven different classes, including Rune Masters, Medics, Snipers, Swordsmen, Fortress units, and Dancers.Art for the game is being provided by Nizo Yamamoto (one of the artists on Princess Mononoke). Etrian Odyssey veterans Yuji Himukai, Shin Nagasawa, and Yuzu Koshiro are also on board. Daisuke Kaneda, taking reins as game director, served as battle advisor on the original game and directed Trauma Team.Atlus says the game will be out in Japan on July 5. Since older Etrian Odysseys have eventually found their way over to North America, there's a chance we'll see this one here too.
Etrian Odyssey 3 also includes two-sided poster
Pre-ordered copies of Etrian Odyssey 3 already include the 60-page "Forests of Eternity" artbook, but Atlus has added a little more bounty to the game, in the form of a two-sided poster.
Sailing the open sea with Etrian Odyssey 3
Atlus continues its extensive video documentation of Etrian Odyssey 3: The Drowned City, with a clip demonstrating the new ocean exploration feature. And no, we're pretty sure the ship isn't called the ATLUS by default.
Meet the candidates for your Etrian Odyssey 3 team
We learned two things from this Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City video: 1) some information about the available character classes, and 2) what a Hoplite is. Well, that last one was kind of a trailer/Wikipedia tag team lesson, but still, education happened.
Etrian Odyssey 3 trailer is voice acting-free
You've seen the stuff that comes with the game, now see ... the game with which that stuff comes. The latest trailer for Etrian Odyssey 3: The Drowned City is pretty far removed from the previous trailer. Where Atlus's first video presented the in-game storyline as described by the characters themselves, this one is pure gameplay footage. More importantly, the soundtrack for this trailer consists not of spirited, amateur voice acting, but of amazing, retro-style music by legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro. Hie thee past the break to watch it.
Pre-order Etrian Odyssey 3, get Etrian art to see
You won't have to search the ocean or a subterranean dungeon for this treasure -- Atlus announced that copies of Etrian Odyssey 3: The Drowned City pre-ordered from certain retailers will include "Forests of Eternity," a 60-page artbook. The full-color book includes character and background artwork not only from The Drowned City, but from the previous Etrian Odysseys as well. But why tell you about it when we can show you? Atlus posted an excerpt of the book for you to page through. "Beware!" it notes. "The artwork and designs contained in this book may reveal more than you wish to know of Etrian Odyssey III!" You'd be better off avoiding the preview, then, if you've got a spoiler allergy.
Etrian Odyssey 3 trailer: like you've never heard Etrian Odyssey before
The trailer for Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City demonstrates the kind of stories you can create, with typical in-game experiences described as real adventures by the game's characters. It also makes us glad the series doesn't have voice acting. The seafaring dungeon RPG will be in stores September 21.
Back into the labyrinth: Atlus announces Etrian Odyssey 3
The latest Famitsu reveals a third entry in Atlus's hardcore dungeon RPG series Etrian Odyssey (Sekaiju no Meikyuu). Etrian Odyssey 3 ditches the series' forest setting for the seaside town of Armolode, in which an earthquake has recently uncovered -- surprise! -- a big labyrinth. According to the 1UP translation, the new game will include new character classes "including prince/princess, phalanx, monk, pirate, and shinobi," and will allow players to explore the ocean by ship when they aren't being killed in the labyrinth. The game will be released March 4 in Japan, and has a pretty good shot at a North American release: not only has Atlus USA translated the previous games in the series, it continues to show willingness to publish first-person DS RPGs like The Dark Spire and the upcoming Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey.
DS Daily: Revisiting old friends
When was the last time you returned to a DS game that long sat neglected in your collection? (Okay, so the answer to this probably isn't Ping Pals; and if it is, consider yourself a buffoon.)Had you already completed the game in question, or did you purchase it and get immediately sidetracked by something else? Are there any older games you plan to return to in the near future? This blogger is currently on his third trip through the Yggdrasil Labyrinth in Etrian Odyssey (hence this topic) -- I never completed the title in two previous attempts, but I'm determined to not get distracted this time!%Gallery-29310%
Games to help curb your addictions
The "self-help" era is upon us, even finding its way into the video game industry as of late. Aside from the obvious fitness awareness game on Nintendo's other system (we mean Wii Fit, of course), there have been quite a few attempts to help gamers improve their lifestyles and habits. Take, for example, the upcoming My Weight Loss Coach and Ubisoft's "Easyway" title to help people quit smoking.Our favorite approach so far, though, was when DS Fanboy reader Dan used Pokémon to quit smoking. If there's anything we've learned from Dan's inspiring story, it's that the best way to curb an addiction is to replace it with another. We then decided that we wanted to help more of our fine readers that are suffering from such torments day in and day out. Pokémon may cure smoking, but what about other plaguing ailments? We're happy to say that after months of testing on monkeys and small children, we've finally come up with a few perfect video game cures.So, look no further than Dr. DS Fanboy, and check out our ultimate self-help guide to find the fixes for your addictions. Master that addiction!
Etrian Odyssey, FFTA2 developers want to speak with you
Even if it is really all about plugging their products, we love it when game developers choose to communicate directly with us, the dirty, huddled masses, and today has brought news of two studios who are inviting questions from gamers.First up is Atlus, or more specifically Nich Maragos, Atlus USA Editor and Project Lead for both of the Etrian Odyssey games. Between now and June 17th, he'll be answering as many of your Etrian-related queries as he can here. Maragos is accepting questions about either of the two DS games, perhaps to accommodate for PAL region players, who only just received the first game last Friday. Ask him why Europe had to wait so long, if you like. Go on, do it.Next in line is the entire development team for Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, who are clearly pretty confident that they'll be receiving an absolute avalanche of questions, as they're doing this as a group. You'll have to be a signed-up Square Enix member, though, which will mean having to fill in this form.Ask Atlus!Ask Square Enix!%Gallery-15249%%Gallery-5422%[Via Go Nintendo and NeoGAF]
