Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Reviews
I'm thrilled that Etrian Odyssey exists beyond the DS and 3DS, but what we got doesn't hit the highs of the series. Atlus admirably tried to make it work on Switch, but the controls for drawing your map aren't as natural as they were on DS and 3DS. Etrian Odyssey II is still a great video game, with a really good progression through each stratum and a lot of depth and synergies between the classes and abilities. My hope is that if Etrian Odyssey survives beyond this dungeon crawl, the next release will be more future-focused than porting over the past.
With the focus on game preservation that we've seen in recent years, I never imagined that the Etrian Odyssey series would be preserved anywhere close to its original form. The fact that they thought it worth bringing to Switch is amazing, and though it didn't come over entirely clean, it's still worth bringing back Fight, Heal, and the rest of the crew for one more dungeon dive.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a great compilation of dungeon crawlers but one that will require a substantial amount of patience to play through so if you're up to the task, it can be one highly rewarding package that'll stay with you for a very long time.
Three titles that open the door to set up our own adventures, with a great commitment to group customization and the fun of mapping the dungeons we visit, along with demanding but equally satisfying battles.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
"Classics never die, but may need a refresh."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
The collection can easily be recommended to both those that enjoy a good dungeon crawl but have somehow missed this series previously, and to those that have spent some time away and would love to revisit the origins of the series.
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a perfect example of challenging dungeon-crawling action at its finest with just the right amount of HD polish, and I couldn’t be happier that it found its way onto the Switch. I can’t say for certain what this means for Etrian Odyssey as a whole. But, whether it means we’ll continue to see re-releases of older games, or perhaps even see new ones, so long as Etrian Odyssey lives on, then I’ll be happy.
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection remasters the first three games of the series for the Nintendo Switch and PC, maintaining its unique dungeon crawling gameplay but struggling with the transition from dual to single-screen. Despite some compromises in the mapping function, the collection offers improved visuals, auto-battles, and remains an engaging strategic adventure, particularly on handheld devices.
At its core Etrian Odyssey, Origins Collection are enjoyable games in this genre. Some will find the simplistic and mostly menu-driven adventure unappealing, though fans of it will likely be engrossed in the world. This, coupled with a different look than the overly detailed designs typically found here, helps Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection stand out. So if you’re looking for a new dungeon crawler, you’ll likely be happy.
This collection may be priced at a premium level, but for Etrian Odyssey fans, you are sure to remember why this addictive formula is more than welcome on the Nintendo Switch.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a collection of three high-quality dungeon crawler-style RPGs that remain an immersive experience in a hostile and exciting world even years after their original release on DS. However, this is not the highlight of what the franchise has to offer and it is clear that the games had a difficult adaptation to the reality of a single screen.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a competent collection that brings back three great dungeon crawlers. Intricate labyrinths ,a myriad dangers, a highly strategic battle system, steep difficulty, and an elaborate atmosphere make adventures challenging, engaging, and rewarding. The remasters themselves are pretty straightforward, with the biggest highlights being the reworked visuals and music, balance tweaks, and tweaking the cartography mechanics. Otherwise, Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is recommended for those who enjoy long and complex adventures.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The big question heading into Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection was whether Atlus could successfully translate the series' one-of-a-kind gameplay onto more conventional hardware. To me, they’ve answered back with a resounding and confident yes. These are excellent remasters that show that Atlus has carefully considered what to bring over and what to ditch in the transition away from dual-screen hardware. They look sharper than ever, they sound nicer, and despite not having a second screen, they arguably even play smoother. If nothing else, this collection definitively proves that Etrian Odyssey’s future is not jeopardized by its lack of two screens. Having said that, this collection as a whole is still a tough sell. If it was just Etrian Odyssey III, I could recommend it in a heartbeat—it’s one of the best DRPGs around. The first two games, however, I do not hold the same charity for. They aren’t bad, but they are massively unrefined and unsophisticated compared to what came after. Despite being good remasters, you’re still better off playing their 3DS remakes. Their novelty just doesn’t linger for long, and with the eye-popping price tag attached to Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection, I’d want something more than that. If prospective buyers are willing to accept that, then they’ll have a solid time with the humble origins of one of the best DRPG franchises around.
For most people, getting Etrian Odyssey II HD means purchasing it in a triple decker sandwich with the predecessor and the sequel. You can enjoy the first one and then use that to expand on what’s great about this game, namely that everything is better while still being similar. It’s not nearly the departure that comes in subsequent games; it’s almost like playing a fan mod of the first with QoL improvements from basement devs. If you’re not looking for something that changes your life but does make it a little more fun, then Etrian Odyssey II does a fine job of being a fantastic dungeon crawler.
Etrian Odyssey has an easygoing nature that blends beautifully into the background, making it a perfect summer game for nights in the garden or while you’re watching TV. The map building is surprisingly satisfying, the visuals are stunningly rebuilt for Switch and the soundtrack transports you to wonderful retro eras past, while being a fulfilling, rewarding game in the modern era.
Yes, I have many complaints about Etrian Odyssey HD, but I still continued to play it. It’s not an easy game to passively play. You really do need to focus on the map creation, and mislabeling an area can result in hours of backtracking to figure out where you accidentally labeled a wall that’s actually a door. But it’s got a flow to it, and the placement of storyline at bookends means you can get into a playstate and not worry about missing crucial moments of plot.
With Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Atlus brings us a compilation of HD versions that are, just like the original Nintendo DS versions, with the map now on the same screen, higher resolution and better sound, an easy difficulty mode and, finally, translation into our language. On the one hand, it is a very good opportunity to get hooked on a saga with tradition, but on the other, the price seems excessive for the type of product that we find.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection preserves everything special about Etrian Odyssey I, II, and III and ensures the games feel perfectly at home on the Switch.