Etrian Mystery Dungeon Reviews
Combining the maddening and dedicated labyrinths of Etrian Odyssey with Mystery Dungeon's ode to indifferent but committed variability would seem to be the videogame equivalent of pushing an immovable object against an unstoppable force. It's an attractive paradox, and, rather than explode on contact, both series' unique strengths coalesce into a grueling exploration of applied skill and tough love.
There's a lot in this little 3DS game that can keep you busy for tons of hours. Just keep in mind, it is a difficult game and it doesn't apologize for it, but if you can get past the learning curve, it becomes a very rewarding experience that dungeon crawling fans will really enjoy – even if the AI can be dumb as bricks at times.
Mix two servings of Chunsoft's Mystery Dungeon series with a heaping helping of Atlus' Etrian Odyssey series and you get Etrian Mystery Dungeon, a dungeon crawler offering deep dungeons and shallow gameplay.
If you haven't played a dungeon-crawler title yet, start with this one. It never abates on the difficulty but simultaneously introduces mechanics and items that still make the title — and genre — accessible to first-time players. Plenty of love and care between the two development teams has been put into this title and, despite the smaller setbacks, it truly shines in the end product.
What happens when you combine the roguelike with a traditional JRPG? Nothing good
If it does click for you, then you'll be playing Etrian Mystery Dungeon for a very long time to come.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon continues the streak of great Etrian titles. The shake-up in gameplay doesn't rattle the game too much for die-hard fans and will give them exactly what they want, while giving people unfamiliar with the franchise, a good entry level introduction.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a fun little strategy RPG that will surely satisfy gamers who enjoy mental taxation and heavy frustration on the go. The complicated gameplay harks back to the simple roots of the Mystery Dungeon series. The basic presentation may not interest gamers looking for a more flashy, visually stimulating experience such as "Xenoblade Chronicles," but it does offer a unique RPG experience that, once learned, can be just as engaging and stimulating as any of the top budget games on the 3DS. I recommend this game to anyone who can appreciate playing a long and thought provoking game of chess, even if it ends with you losing to your opponent.
This game is enjoyable, with mechanics that are easy to get the hang of. Unfortunately, the difficulty curve from tutorial to first mission seems excessive and was almost enough to deter me from the game entirely. Thankfully, after this mission, the difficulty curve seems less steep, allowing for enjoyment, especially as you work through dungeons multiple times to accomplish multiple quests. If grinding is something you don't enjoy, this game is not for you, but if you don't mind some as you work through the, sometimes barely differing, quests, this game will provide hours of fun.
It won't convert many new fans to either series but this is a successful mix of the best of both (minus the map-making) and whose new ideas deserve a future of their own.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a tough as nails RPG which demands a good level of strategic thinking when tackling the adversities ahead. Featuring lush and beautiful environments and a majestic soundtrack, it's a fun and compelling experience for RPG fans who like going deep into their endeavours. Those who prefer a light-hearted approach should be careful though, as this game will not show any mercy.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Again I want to emphasise; Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a terrible Etrian Odyssey game, missing the point entirely in what an Etrian Odyssey game is meant to offer. But as a roguelike, it is such a clean, traditional example of the genre that I found it very difficult to put down.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon is an enjoyable and fully featured dungeon crawler, with some great touches to keep you coming back time and time again. Though there are a few occasional niggles it combines the two franchises very successfully and that should see it find fans in both camps.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a good dungeon crawler with a few small annoying elements to it. For some those might all add up and cause a great deal of frustration, but for people who are able to put up with it and dig deep into the dungeons, there's fun to be had.
The enjoyment of Etrian Mystery Dungeon will be very much dependant on how much a player enjoys the core experience of repeated dungeon excursions. While every other aspect added to the game is well thought out, nothing else is particularly substantial. The city management aspect is very lightweight, the story is fairly simple, and there are little other elements beyond item and weapon management. In essence, it's a very pure experience, which might be very appealing to some players, while being far too repetitive for others.