Dungeon crawl

[CoolgyFurlough]

Etrian Odyssey 3 is my favorite of the series, and while it is the most complicated I also think it is the most forgiving. EO3 also features a sailing component and subclassing which adds an entirely different dimension to the game. Not really sure you can go wrong with any of them though.

I'm fine with complicated, as I play roguelikes, but I'm not really a fan of sailing. Also What is missing in 1 that makes it not as good?

[cj iwakura]

Etrian Odyssey 3 is my favorite of the series, and while it is the most complicated I also think it is the most forgiving. EO3 also features a sailing component and subclassing which adds an entirely different dimension to the game. Not really sure you can go wrong with any of them though.

I'm fine with complicated, as I play roguelikes, but I'm not really a fan of sailing. Also What is missing in 1 that makes it not as good?

1 has the most base character customization.

That said, I also think it has the best story and music in the series, so definitely play it. I'm always an advocate of playing the originals first.

[CMoon]

Etrian Odyssey 3 is my favorite of the series, and while it is the most complicated I also think it is the most forgiving. EO3 also features a sailing component and subclassing which adds an entirely different dimension to the game. Not really sure you can go wrong with any of them though.

I'm fine with complicated, as I play roguelikes, but I'm not really a fan of sailing. Also What is missing in 1 that makes it not as good?

The 'sailing thing' is OK. I wish it had functioned as an overworld as it does in EO4. In practice it works more like another dungeon leading toward additional challenges that will help you level up, get additional items, etc.

EO1 is a fine game, I'm playing it now. It does have great music as cj iwakura says above, and it feels a little more primitive (which can at times play in its favor.) It has a much smaller set of skill trees and significantly less in the way of synergy between classes. The biggest omission is the ability to make a save state (1 use) in the dungeons, and the ability to strafe. My other problem with this and EO2 is I feel there is one very obvious combination of classes, and that any deviation from that may make your party significantly weaker. Of course there's a certain degree of tolerance, but it feels very narrow. With each successive EO game I feel they've made the game a bit more flexible in this department.

1 has the most base character customization.

I absolutely don't understand this statement. Can you clarify it? I feel all three have about the same TOTAL ABSENCE of base character customization.

[cj iwakura]

Well, I meant least. 2 and 3 give you much broader ways to spec your party members, and 3 introduced dual-specing.

[CoolgyFurlough]

Just purchased a copy of EOIII after reading up a bit more on the games and seeing the extra features. Also I figure that I can cartograph the ocean if I feel like rage-quitting. And if FOEs are as bad as people say they are, I at least want to get exp for killing them. (I got the game as there were only 3 left in stock on Amazon too >.>)

[CMoon]

It is dangerous to go alone, take this: http://www.intothelabyrinth.net/etriano ... /skillsim/

[MX7]

I've now put six hours into the Etrian Odyssey IV demo. Almost got all seven team members up to the level 10 cap. Though fundamentally there may be little difference between this instalment and the first, the little refinements really make it something special. The music is lush, the fonts are sharp, the controls excellent, the character designs really benefit from a high(er?) definition screen. The auto-pilot function coupled with the auto battle command makes for pain free grinding. For a game so wilfully archaic, the developers have really gone the extra mile to make sure it's the most refined experience yet.

Oh yeah, I finished Crimson Shroud. Very rare I actually finish a game in this day and age, even one as short as CS so make of that what you will. While not as full an experience as Vagrant Story or Final Fantasy XII, it almost feels like a side-story to these games. If it had gone on any longer, it would have got samey, but it ended at exactly the right time. Only real criticism was that it was much too easy (I only got wiped out once, and I didn't bother to customise items at all for the later half of the game). It's got a new game + mode. Maybe I'll get stuck into that in a few months.

[BryanM]

What I find very nice about the Odyssey series is their willingness to iteratively improve the thing. So many jRPGs allow things to remain shit year after year; just the fact they allow poison damage to do anything is mind blowing, frankly.

So it's like the same game every release, but it also feels like they're trying to build that game toward perfection.

[MX7]

Incompletely agree with the notion that each game is a subtle refinement moving towards perfection, but I would also say that the first EO had the best music and story out of the first three games. I know story isn't really the focus of these games, but it was subtly achieved, and there's one absolutely great 'jaw-drop' moment (anyone who's played towards the end of the first game will know what I mean...)

[CoolgyFurlough]

I got EOIII in the mail and put ten hours into it in one session. This game is absolutely fantastic. I usually absolutely hate turn-based combat, but this game makes it so fun and exciting. Also I absolutely hate grinding in most games, but in this game, I have a dedicated farming party. (Who needs $30,000en by Dlvl 2? Probably nobody, but I got it for no reason. x3) This game really hits the spot when it comes to dungeon crawling, and making your own maps is really as fun and gratifying as Atlus makes it out to be. Anyway, I should probably stop rambling now, I could do it for hours.

Also I just want to ask if my party is any good.
Front: Prince, Hoplite
Back: Arbalist, Monk, Zodiac

[BryanM]

It's a bit oriented to grinding down bosses. Should be just fine for the main game.

I wish the princess class were a little stronger in that game tho; a Bikill that actually works on Renzokukens would be awesome, you know? (Derped about Attack Order; all I could remember were how the tepid the _____ Arms skills are. And how the Monk's primary affected the Prince heal skills.)

[CMoon]

Also I just want to ask if my party is any good.
Front: Prince, Hoplite
Back: Arbalist, Monk, Zodiac

It has been a long time since I've played, however you should know that you can pretty much throw out all the rules after you get subclassing. My first thoughts on this party are that for early game you have a LOT of healing, but not enough heavy damage dealers. I'd consider putting the monk back on the bench and put a fighter in your front row. I remember the prince(ss) class is good early game, but later it is better switching over to a monk.

One thing you should't be afraid to try is saving, resting, re-assigning your character's points and testing it out. Obviously if you don't like it, don't save. There's a lot of potential synergy between different skills, so testing out your ideas is pretty crucial.

[cj iwakura]

Incompletely agree with the notion that each game is a subtle refinement moving towards perfection, but I would also say that the first EO had the best music and story out of the first three games. I know story isn't really the focus of these games, but it was subtly achieved, and there's one absolutely great 'jaw-drop' moment (anyone who's played towards the end of the first game will know what I mean...)

I feel like although the GAMES have gotten progressively better, the plots have gotten progressively worse.

[BryanM]

Can't completely disagree with that.

It's amazing how far a few repeating fellow adventurer dofuses go to make you feel like you're not the only tools wandering around in the dark. Jade Cocoon 2 (a rather flawed game) was actually pretty strong in that respect. Having 0 npcs around always makes it feel like an empty void.

At least they could have chosen a worse repeating theme than "it was aliens". Cosmic horrors out of nowhere for no reason? Why not..

[mesh control]

EOIV mood is a breath of fresh air, after playing Strange Journey for the past few months.

SJ's atmosphere is just fucking oppressive, however I do want to go back and complete it sometime in the future.

[CMoon]

EOIV mood is a breath of fresh air, after playing Strange Journey for the past few months.

Dude, lady boners. Game gets 10/10 from me.

[Moniker]

^

Is that for real? If so, I'm heading to gamestop first thing in the morning.

[CMoon]

From everything I've heard, its totally real.

[MX7]

Oh Atlus USA...

[Squire Grooktook]

At least they could have chosen a worse repeating theme than "it was aliens". Cosmic horrors out of nowhere for no reason? Why not..

You know you love it.

I actually really loved the lovecraftian references in EO3. Works great for a dungeon crawler imo.

And yeah I gotta echo the gameplay is great too. Thick atmosphere, fun combat, feels challenging but fair. It's a great game.

[MX7]

The whole 'lady boner as hard as steel' annoyed me no end. Why is reference to male sexual arousal preferable to reference to female sexual arousal? Pretty sure if she'd said "I gotta proper wide-on the size of a cave' or something people would be up in arms. I guess it's just symptomatic of a male dominated industry that it is still taboo to refer to female genitalia in 2013. Big throbbing cocks? No problem

Anyway, anyone else playing EOIV? Mainlined 10 hours of it into my bloodshot eyes over the last two days alone. So addictive it's scary. I think it's fair to say it's no radical departure in any sense of the concept, but the interface has been honed to smooth perfection. Using the autopilot allows me to grind while watching Arrested Development, frying an egg or hoovering the living room. Now that's next-gen.

[Nana]

Probably because nobody says 'wide-on,' nor would it have been as funny. I'm also playing it though, and absolutely loving it. It feels so open-ended in comparison to EO3! I absolutely love the music, too, with a couple of exceptions. But the pleasant dungeon music, town's night theme, and first boss music are all just so great.

[mesh control]

Probably because nobody says 'wide-on,' nor would it have been as funny.

You're missing the point.
It could have just said: "...makes me wet." Or something
Who cares.


Do I really need a medic?

Current guild:
F/D/L
S/R

[MX7]

Some people on Gamefaqs were espousing the virtues of playing without a medic, but I've never been able to play like that.

Right now I'm wondering if I need a landshneck (sic) AND a fortress. Tempted switch an L for a D in the front row.

Current guild

L-N-F
H-R

[Squire Grooktook]

Probably because nobody says 'wide-on,' nor would it have been as funny.

You're missing the point.
It could have just said: "...makes me wet." Or something
Who cares.

Well, sometimes the wording of these things are very important to make them funny. I think boner works because then you get the "harder den steel" follow up which is best.

[mesh control]

what if it's a fucking plasma sword?

[Nana]

I got the point, I've just seen enough of these arguments now which are more annoying than the joke itself could possibly be. I think "Who cares" in mesh control's post sums it up best.

And yeah, I'm starting to question the inclusion of the medic, too. The dancer is the most interesting class in my party, though.

[BryanM]

The series lets you opt-out of a medic with healing items, like most jRpgs. You just have to be willing to farm for them.

Being able to heal the entire party to almost full every round on a boss is kind of a thing you do.

[Kakizaki]

And yeah, I'm starting to question the inclusion of the medic, too. The dancer is the most interesting class in my party, though.

I probably need to give my dancer another look. I got her up to level ten, but kind of lost interest with her skill set.

I'm really enjoying the night seeker and sniper though. Just hit level 40 with my sniper earlier today - I really like the binds/ bind chase so far.

Also, maybe it is just me, but I feel like the skill descriptions are a little misleading this time around.

[shmuppyLove]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pix ... lvers-drop

I've never pledged on Kickstart before, but I'm seriously thinking of it for this game. It's pushing all the right buttons for me.