Games

Best of 2008 | 07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Etrian Odyssey

EMAIL PRINTds

8.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 19 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Atlus USA

Developer: Atlus USA

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: May 15, 2007

Summary

(Also known as "Sekaiju no Meikyuu" in Japan) In a vast and fertile land lies a small town known as Etria, a peaceful village that became famous for a startling discovery. A crack in the vast forest opened at Etria's edge, leading downward like a gaping maw. It all began there... Your salvation in the labyrinth is in your own hands: Create your own team of adventurers to withstand the maze’s fierce battles, while creating your own dungeon maps using the Nintendo DS touch screen outside of combat. Lush 3D graphics and a world-class soundtrack puts an exquisite face on the mortal danger that lurks at every step. [Atlus Software]

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameFAQs

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

In reality though, Etrian Odyssey is a challenging, ballsy, rewarding game that gives the otherwise stagnant RPG genre a swift, much-needed kick in the ass. [June 2007, p.62]

AceGamez

It's very well designed and the execution is highly polished; indeed, this is one of the best games I have played all year and it has been the default game in my DS since May when it was shipped - whenever I don't have another game that I need to play, Etrian Odyssey goes back in for more fun.

Read Full Review >

RPG Fan

Whatever the sentiment, it is clear that Etrian Odyssey is a niche game that is sure to find the hearts of some and draw the ire of others.

Read Full Review >

NintendoWorldReport

Etrian Odyssey definitely isn't for everyone, but that's due to its genre rather than lack of quality. If you have a taste for brutal difficulty and don't mind a touch of level grinding now and then, you'll want to savor this game like a fine wine.

Read Full Review >

Cheat Code Central

Those who can look beyond the basic presentation and steep difficulty curve will find Etrian Odyssey to be one of the lengthiest and most immersive role playing experiences on the DS to date.

Read Full Review >

GamingTrend

This is not an action packed role playing game, with limit breaks, kamehamehas, and sixteen button combos during combat. This is a game of exploring a Labrynth and learning to survive it by strength and wit. Calling it well written is hard to do, as it has only the basic framework of a story, letting the player make it up on their own. But I do find it fun to play, completing quests, earning experience, and delving the depths of the Labrynth with my Landsknecht and team.

Read Full Review >

G4 TV

Be forewarned. Etrian Odyssey is tough.

Read Full Review >

games(TM)

The truth of the matter is that Etrian Odyssey’s punishing difficulty is actually the key to its addictive allure. [Aug 2007, p.118]

Games Master UK

Get past the user unfriendly beginnings and you'll be chums for ages. [Aug 2008, p.81]

Cubed3

Etrian Odyssey is very much a love or hate affair. If you enjoyed the classic role-playing games of yore you'll probably going to love EO and its simple-yet-addictive battle system, extensive character customisation, and charming map-making features.

Read Full Review >

N-Europe

If you are looking for a game with a challenge then look no further. Etrian Odyssey will kill you and keep you coming back for more.

Read Full Review >

NGamer UK

Makes you feel like a daring aventurer making progress, but at the expense of in-your-face thrills. [Aug 2007, p.63]

Deeko

All in all, it's hardly the perfect role-playing game, but wow is it fun while it lasts.

Read Full Review >

1UP

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.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Etrian Odyssey is a turn-based role-playing game like any other, but it sports one heck of a mean streak to elevate it above the crowd.

Read Full Review >

Console Gameworld

It doesn't have ultra-realistic CG cut scenes, it doesn't have memorable characters that will jerk a tear from your eye when they fall in battle, but Etrian Odyssey is the quintessential old school RPG experience.

Read Full Review >

IGN

Etrian Odyssey is – with every ounce of its being – a RPG fanatic’s wet dream. The game makes no excuses for the player, demanding that you strategize every step of the way.

Read Full Review >

Game Almighty

Players who never experienced the RPGs of the 80s are bound to scratch their head and wonder where all the graphics went.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Etrian Odyssey is best suited for gamers seeking an abundance of ultra-challenging Pokemon-style battles without a single Pocket Monster to speak of.

Read Full Review >

Games Radar (in-house)

Players who have grown up with the likes of "Final Fantasy," however, will be unimpressed with Etrian Odyssey.

Read Full Review >

Nintendo Power

Freedom reigns in Etrian Odyssey. [July 2007, p.96]

Worth Playing

Etrian Odyssey is old school. There is no other way to describe it. It's slow, difficult, sparse with the hints and unforgiving to those who try to speed through it. If this doesn't sound like fun to you, then it's best to move along, because you won't enjoy Etrian Odyssey. However, if you're one of those gamers who has fond memories of Wizardry and Ultima, then this might just be what you're looking for.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer

Etrian Odyssey succeeds in making some aged and usually uncomfortable RPG conventions feel fresh, thoughtful and engaging and is thoroughly recommended to DS owners with even a passing interest in the genre.

Read Full Review >

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

A nostalgic treat for those who owned a C64 but too punishing and dated for young ones. [July 2008, p.82]

Level7.nu

Etrian Odyssey is a traditional turn based dungeon crawler. Throughout the game you make your way through a myriad of paths in the Yggdrasil-labyrinth. This is clearly a game for fans of old turn based role playing games as it’s time consuming and requires a lot of active involvement from the player. If you’re not a hardcore fan of classic role playing games you might want to try this before purchasing it.

Read Full Review >

Zentendo

Etrian Odyssey is not for the faint of heart, there are consequences of falling in love with this game – lack of free time, as it will capture you. Yet the lack of appeal for the general audience is a big turn off for most.

Read Full Review >

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Kids weaned on "Final Fantasy VII" likely won't have the patience for it, but questers of the appropriate age(and/or nerdy enough to dig the Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack)should dive in. [June 2007, p.92]

Game Informer

I have nothing against games that hearken back to old-school sensibilities, but Etrian Odyssey just feels like an outdated game that snuck onto a modern console. [June 2007, p.118]

Read Full Review >

GamePro

The real appeal of Etrian Odyssey is the renaissance of the classic RPG. Instead of a world that conforms to your level and rewards you with HP every time you level up, you have to strategize about which characters will enter the Labyrinth, how best to allot skill points among your characters, who charges the front line and who stays in back, and how much money you have to spend on reviving dead characters.

Read Full Review >

GameShark

Etrian Odyssey requires patience and resolve to unlock the mysteries of the Labyrinth, with not enough reward in return. This is a game only for the hardcore. All others need not apply.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Manny L gave it a10:
My ABSOLUTE favorite game for the DS. Etrian Odyssey is quite certainly the best RPG I have ever played on any handheld system! The visuals are just plain beautiful and you will certainly appreciate it as it is. The gameplay is punishing but it's the challenge that really makes this game shine. I would definitely recommend this game to any true RPG lover and enthusiast. Not for the casual gamer.

Tony G. gave it a10:
EXCELLENT! Etrian Odyssey is an old school RPG brilliantly updated to the DS. This is NOT for everyone. Don't expect the game to hold your hand through a wonderful fantastical journey. You will be 2 hours into the current level with your uber party, fight the boss, and then die within two rounds. You will suffer, and you will love it. The music is great, the environments are enthralling, and the class system is brilliant. Forget about "maxing out" your character, I'm not even clear if this is possible. You will need to GRIND and you will need to experiment with the synergy between the various classes. You will need to balance the classic RPG roles of damage dealers, tanks, melee, magic, etc. Bosses are HARD. New levels are tough. If your party is not built right, you WILL be back in town removing one of your characters and creating a new one. Not to be forgotten, the mapping system is genius. It should be implemented in every similar RPG from now on. One important note--this style of RPG predates the dawn of gaming, it is more pen & paper than Final Fantasy. I love the FF series, but that series is a walk in the park compared to this game. It is a hardcore RPG player's dream. Have fun!

Fredrik I. gave it a9:
One of the best dungeon crawlers I've had the pleasure of playing, great art, music and challenging game play. This game will keep you occupied for many days. Some limitations in the mapping system keeps me from giving it a full 10/10.

RC R gave it a9:
Very cool game for those who enjoy exploring uncharted corridors and building character skills.

Tako C. gave it a10:
Awesome old school RPG goodness. Reminds me of the Wizardary, the first few versions. Addictive.

Jason S. gave it a9:
This game pulls you deep into the Labyrinth to explore and map the dungeon. This new mechanic of mapping in this game keeps it from being the same RPG we've played a million times before as it's quite fun.

Ken H. gave it a10:
Absolutely amazing. The game really rewards your patience. It's been a long time since a good labyrinth game has come out. I've been wanting a game like this since Shining in the Darkness for the SEGA Genesis.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Etrian Odyssey

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases