Release Date: March 5, 2015
Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a spin-off of the popular jRPG series Etrian Odyssey from the Spike Chunsoft studio, a Nintendo handheld video game series. The plot plays a secondary role in Etrian Mystery Dungeon. We play as a group of adventurers who arrive in Aslarga, a town located near the titular labyrinth. The game uses the same formula and gameplay mechanics as other installments of the series.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a spin-off of the popular RPG series Etrian Odyssey, created by Atlus studio. The game uses the formula and gameplay mechanics of the Japanese franchise entitled Mystery Dungeon, which began in 1993. The series has always been developed by Japanese studio Chunsoft (now a part of Spike Chunsoft company). The Mystery Dungeon franchise may not be very popular among Western players, but it released some titles that are well-known beyond Japan – these are based on famous licenses, such as Pokemon (several Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games).
Similar to many other dungeon-crawlers, the game’s story serves a secondary role, being only a background for gameplay proper. You command a team of adventurers who arrive to the city of Aslarga. It lies near a mysterious labirynth, filled with treasures and deadly creatures.
The gameplay features an isometric perspective. Movement in the dungeons and combat are turn-based. Contrary to many other games from this genre, all characters and monsters make their moves at the same time. This means that while you are moving from one field to another opponents can be doing the same. Such a system means that you must adjust your strategy on the spot and predict what opponents might do next. Your team consists of four heroes representing any of the ten classes and professions well-known to fans of Etrian Odyssey. Every location you explore is randomly generated. As they gain experience, heroes learn new abilities, which can be freely modified and adjusted to your play style. In case of death you return to the city and lose all gold and items collected in the last venture.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon features full 3D graphics. Character models and environments are colorful and lively. At the same time the project retains the characteristic artwork style known from core installments in the Etrian Odyssey series.
Platforms:
Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Publisher: Atlus
Age restrictions: none
