Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Reviews
If you're a fan who's been waiting to get the Etrian Odyssey games on a modern console, it's worth grabbing one– the one with your favourite classes, or simply the third one for its added sea exploration. But unless you're well-acquainted with the grinding and mapping, or have just forgotten how stagnant the gameplay can be, you'll likely be disappointed by how sparse the excitement is.
"Classics never die, but may need a refresh."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Ultimately, though the Etrian Odyssey games do not feature much story, they are incredibly fun dungeon-crawling experiences. The featured ability to draw maps of the dungeons as the party progresses through the game can become somewhat tedious if played in docked mode using a controller, but with the touchscreen in handheld, it can be quick and very satisfying. The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a well-crafted remaster of the original games and offers hundreds of hours of fun for dungeon-crawling enthusiasts.
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.
Etrian Odyssey II HD follows a nearly identical path to its prequel while boasting some features that embellish the fun of the original. It pairs a very similar storyline and gameplay with equally refreshed graphics and music to celebrate its port to the Switch.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection feels like an odd release to recommend, but we'd be doing you a disservice to suggest you pass on it. On one hand, the three games are undeniably solid DRPGs that are worth your time and attention. On the other, the cost at launch feels astronomical for what are essentially straight, no-frills HD ports of decade-old portable titles. This collection is worthwhile because this series is and always has been great, but the collection itself feels subpar given the rather lackluster effort that has gone into bringing them to modern hardware. We'd still give Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection a recommendation, but with the caveat that you're probably better off either waiting for a deep sale or just buying one of the games-we would recommend Etrian Odyssey III the most out of these three. Etrian Origins Collection may not be the 'definitive' re-release that many hoped it would be, but these games are well-respected in the DRPG space for good reason and it's great to see them on Switch.
Like the single games when they were first released, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is not a product for the masses: it's pricey (too much so), hard and very lenghty, but these are exactly the reasons why some old timer fan wil appreciate it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
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.
The magic of manual map drawing is curbed with the handy auto-map feature, yet pulling off risky expeditions into Etrian Odyssey's dangerous labyrinths remains unmatched.
While all three titles are a welcome addition to the Switch's growing stable of turn-based affairs, they don't feel quite as at home as they did on two-screens. Mapping out your way through the 20-plus floors of EO3 was just better with a stylus in hand and a single screen dedicated to map-making; the HD shine of this re-release on Switch doesn't quite do enough to push this third game into must-play territory. That said, if you're already an Etrian fan and never played EO3 (especially since it didn't get a 3DS Untold release like the first two titles), then the multiple endings, varied character classes, and nautical theming are more than enough to warrant a look.
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.
I love these RPGs. I’m psyched that they’ve come to the Nintendo Switch, and I’m overjoyed that they’ve been improved upon. But still, I recognize that these are difficult, imposing, extremely retro games. To say they’re not for everybody is a slight understatement. Even so, if you’ve always wanted to check out the Etrian Odyssey franchise, this is a perfect opportunity. With a little patience, and an open mind, you might find your new favorite series.
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
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.
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 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
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.
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