Added: 07.04.2015 13:17 | 21 views | 0 comments


GI: The Etrian Odyssey series has kept the sometimes-forgotten pure dungeon crawl alive and well on the 3DS, and has begun to mix things up by bringing its classic core into interesting franchise mashups such as Persona Q. This time around, the flavors get mixed up with the Mystery Dungeon series for a new tactical take on Etrian Odyssey, now with with roguelike elements and unpredictability from floor to floor of sprawling dungeons.

Added: 07.04.2015 13:17 | 21 views | 0 comments


HD: The Etrian Odyssey series has gained a lot of traction since the 3DS's release. What began as a rather niche dungeon crawling series for the Nintendo DS suddenly gained a good deal of exposure with its first 3DS entry, 'Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan'. Since then, remakes of the first two games in the series have been announced (with the first one already released), and a crossover with Atlus' Persona series in 'Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth' introduced an even wider audience to the series' brutally difficult, but addicting dungeon crawling style.

Added: 07.04.2015 7:17 | 8 views | 0 comments


"In a market filled with RPGs, Etrian Mystery Dungeon seeks to do something a bit different and exciting for some, by adapting mechanics from indie rougelike that have been a popular part of the PC market as of late. Does the latest Etrian installment hold up?" -Michael Jordan

Added: 07.04.2015 3:17 | 8 views | 0 comments


In Etrian Mystery Dungeon, youre an adventurer who journeys to the bustling town of Aslarga to realize their dreams and hopes. Once there, it quickly becomes apparent with what troubles Aslarga is besieged, and why adventurers have become so sought after in the town. This gives our entrepreneurial protagonist an idea: create a guild for other adventurers to join, and help the town with its problems.

Added: 06.04.2015 21:00 | 10 views | 0 comments


This week highlights Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, Etrian Mystery Dungeon, and more. We're here to help with a weekly round-up of the biggest game releases each every week.

Added: 06.04.2015 19:17 | 45 views | 0 comments


Technology Tell writes, "Etrian Mystery Dungeon is the best roguelike Ive played in years. The balance is perfect here. Its challenging and demanding, but not infuriating. Grinding is encouraged, but feels less taxing due to numerous side-quest and investment opportunities."

Added: 06.04.2015 19:17 | 49 views | 0 comments


RPGSite: Delving into Etrian Mystery Dungeon was somewhat of an odd experience for me. What we have here is a title with gameplay structured in the Mystery Dungeon mold, but styled in the Etrian Odyssey aesthetic. While I had some second-hand familiarity with both of these franchises, Ive never played either prior to booting up this crossover. The premise to the game is quite straightforward. You arrive in the town of Aslarga, a hub for adventurers looking to find fame and fortune in the various Mystery Dungeons nearby. You meet a handful of townsfolk that provide various services, such as character recruitment and item storage. You form a guild, take on some quests, and then you are quickly sent off to see what waits in the mysterious labyrinths.

Added: 06.04.2015 19:09 | 7 views | 0 comments

Etrian Mystery Dungeon can leave you bullied and brokenhearted. Picture this: after descending dozens of floors and cutting down swathes of virulent enemies, you step on a trap that fills the room with enough feral boars and sharp-toothed wildcats to take out an army. You're ill-prepared, having already exhausted most of your recovery items, so down goes your only medic. You're fresh out of the nectar and Yggdrasil leaves that had kept you on your feet, and somehow you forgot to bring along an escape item to pull you out of this mess. You continually swing your sword, but even the sharpest steel can't cut through such numbers. With a meaty thud, you drop, and away goes the gold, equipment, and items that once stood as trophies of your labor.

Within the dungeons, the lows are quite low; no one wants to watch progress vanish into the ether. But surprisingly, the highs manage to outstrip them. Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a punishing RPG that forces you to think before you dungeon crawl, as the penalties for falling in battle or failing to protect your home base can turn your stomach. But once you fully grasp the game's unique loot loop and begin to enter each area with a purpose, the sense of progression is almost too sweet to spurn. With endless customization options and a rich series of quests and randomly generated locations, this sprawling 3DS treat can devour your free time before you even feel the prick of its teeth.

There's a great deal of trial and error, and I can almost guarantee you'll lose your most treasured possessions more than once. These were the times when I was repelled by Etrian Mystery Dungeon's thorny edges, where its learning curve seemed too steep to surmount. But I became savvier to the game's often frustrating peccadilloes over time, and became adept at managing the deepest of dungeons. Keeping the right items, placing forts at the correct intersections, and grinding my party to a sharp edge led to fewer close calls, and even fewer frustrations. Etrian Mystery Dungeon does little to hold your hand, but the early heartbreak acts as an effective lesson in how the game functions.

It's a grind, but a welcome one. The process of taking on quests, digging up new items, and returning to town with a fat bag of goods becomes more and more enticing as time goes on. The combat isn't all that action-packed, but the control you have over each member of your party paired with the wide variety of skills at your command produces interesting challenges from room to room. This is a loot hunt, through and through, but there are enough interesting hooks and unique adornments to make what could be simply repetitive consistently fun.

If you're looking for a rich story or open world to explore, Etrian Mystery Dungeon isn't your huckleberry. The narrative thread is just strong enough to remain interesting, but it takes a back seat to the loot-soaked foundation that works so well. The different levels of progression take center stage, and if you can overcome the opacity of the systems, the rewards are rich. Etrian Mystery Dungeon's tough outer shell takes time and patience to crack, but can’t conceal the treasures stored within.