Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a stellar compilation of the first three games of the iconic dungeon-crawling RPG franchise, Etrian Odyssey. Released by Atlus on Nintendo Switch and PC in 2023, the collection serves as a trip down memory lane for the series’ fans and an enticing invitation for newcomers to explore the rich beginnings of this RPG franchise with remasters of three timeless adventures.
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Etrian Odyssey HD Collection Features
Etrian Odyssey Origins HD Collection is a trilogy pack of remasters for the first three Etrian Odyssey games originally released for the Nintendo DS between 2008 and 2010. The remasters of three timeless adventures feature a new first-person viewpoint for exploration and battle on the top screen, with the drawable map placed on the bottom touchscreen. Map drawing is now done when the map is pulled up to the right.
The games also come with new gameplay enhancements, such as an automapping feature that will draw about 90% of the map as players trek through the Yggdrasil labyrinth. In addition, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection boasts additional difficulty modes. The original games were challenging, particularly the original Etrian Odyssey and Etrian Odyssey II.
Atlus has labeled the original difficulty as Expert mode, with Basic and Picnic modes added, both of which are easier. The remaster is commendable and features minor font weirdness and getting used to a single-screen interface, but the work done on it is admirable. Despite some minor issues with the pricepoint, the collection is an excellent addition to the dungeon-crawling RPG series.
Etrian Odyssey HD
Etrian Odyssey HD remasters the timeless adventure of the labyrinth that swallows all.
In a vast and fertile land lies a small town known as Etria, a peaceful village that became famous for a startling discovery. A crack in the vast forest opened at Etria’s edge, leading downward like a gaping maw. It all began there…
Those who hear rumors of the labyrinth of Etria begin to harbor dreams of exploring it. Riches, fame, prestige… and a promise: the true spirit of adventure on the perilous edge of death.
Build a party of explorers from nine different character classes – Create a woodland survivalist, shield-bearing protector, whip-wielding dark hunter, and more. Scour through the dungeon’s many layers and fend off the unknown to discover the truth behind the Yggdrasil Labyrinth.
Etrian Odyssey HD Features
- Newly remastered graphics, remastered soundtrack and quality of life improvements, including difficulty selection and save slots
- Easy access to the Monstrous Codex, quest log and skill tree
- Maximize your adventuring by optimizing your party, choose the character classes that work for your playstyle
Etrian Odyssey II HD
Etrian Odyssey II HD rebirths the timeless adventure of the mysterious floating castle.
When civilization sunk beneath the seven seas, deep forests spread across the five remaining islands.
Only the chosen ones escaped the waters in their castle stronghold. Eventually, the waves overtook even the last five islands…And the castle was all that remained. After the passing of ages, the people of the floating castle have chosen to descend upon their mother soil.
Build your own party from twelve different classes of heroes and climb through the Yggdrasil tree to reach the clouds and uncover the truth of High Lagaard.
Etrian Odyssey II HD Features
- Newly remastered graphics, remastered soundtrack and quality of life improvements, including difficulty selection and save slots
- Easy access to the Monstrous Codex, quest log and skill tree
- Maximize your adventuring by optimizing your party, and choose the character classes that work for your playstyle
Etrian Odyssey III HD
Etrian Odyssey III HD brings the timeless adventure set in Armoroad, a sea city facing the aftermath of a great calamity.
Traverse through the mysterious ruins that connect to the bottom of the sea.
South of the great continents, beyond the sea, lies the ocean city of Armoroad. Legend has it that part of the city sunk without warning a century ago to the bottom of the ocean, taking with it untold technology that is now lost to mankind.
Intrigued by the legend, many explorers gathered in Armoroad, all hoping to challenge the undersea labyrinth. But so far, none have found the fabled sunken city. Set sail to Armoroad to navigate the Yggdrasil Labyrinth, find the drowned city, and win fortune and glory!
Build your own party of explorers from the all-new twelve different character classes. Descend the labyrinth that swallowed the mystery of Armoroad and the drowned city.
Etrian Odyssey III HD Features
- Newly remastered graphics, remastered soundtrack and quality of life improvements including difficulty selection and save slots
- Easy access to the Monstrous Codex, quest log and skill tree
- Maximize your adventuring by optimizing your party, choose the character classes that work for your playstyle
Gameplay and Mechanics
As far as gameplay goes, one of the key components of the Etrian Odyssey series is the map-drawing feature. In the original games on the DS, this was done using the touchscreen. In the Origins Collection, the map is displayed on the right side of the game interface, and you can draw on it using controller inputs or a mouse cursor on PC. The Switch version likely uses the touchscreen for this feature. There is also a new automapping feature, which will draw most of the map for you as you explore, leaving you to place icons for things like stairs and chests.
The game’s user interface and visual elements have been updated for high-definition displays, including changes to character art, background art, and dungeon aesthetics. Class skill trees have been made uniform across the three games. However, there are some issues with the fonts used in the game, which may require some getting used to.
Battles and Party Management
In the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection, the battle system is turn-based, and you can have a party of up to five characters. Each character can be assigned a class, and managing your party’s composition and character classes is a crucial part of gameplay. The classes each have unique skills and abilities, and your strategic choices in this regard can significantly affect your performance in battles.
Music and Art
Melodious melodies and masterful artwork make for a mesmerizing medley in this trilogy pack of remastered games. The remastered soundtrack in Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection from Yuzo Koshiro of SEGA is one of the highlights of the game. The original songs have been enhanced and given a new lease of life, and they sound even more beautiful than before. The music is fitting for each scenario and dungeon, and it does an excellent job of immersing the player into the game’s world. The remastered soundtrack is a testament to the talent of the game’s composers and the effort put into this remaster.
In addition to the remastered soundtrack, the visual upgrades in Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection are impressive. The character portraits are beautifully drawn and look stunning on a 4K monitor. The improvements in the game’s graphics and art style are noticeable and add to the overall experience. The attention to detail in the game’s environments and character designs is impressive, and it makes for an immersive dungeon-crawling experience.
The combination of the remastered soundtrack and the visual upgrades in Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a testament to the effort put into this remaster and makes it a must-play for fans of the series.
Difficulty Modes
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection introduces new difficulty options, making the game more accessible to new players. The Basic and Picnic modes provide easier challenges compared to the Expert mode, which is the original difficulty level of the games. Diehard fans of the series may still enjoy the original difficulty, but the addition of the two new modes offers more options for players to choose from.
The new difficulty modes may appeal to a wider audience, but the high price point of the collection may be a deterrent for those unfamiliar with the series. However, for fans of the dungeon-crawling RPG genre, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a commendable remaster that stays true to the original games.
The addition of new difficulty options is a welcome feature that enhances the player’s experience and provides a more customized challenge for different skill levels.
Etrian Odyssey Trilogy HD
Surprisingly, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection offers a well-rounded package that caters to both diehard fans and newcomers to the dungeon-crawling RPG genre. The remaster improvements are commendable, with the character portraits looking quite nice on a 4K monitor and the music being excellent overall. The automapping feature, which draws about 90% of the map for the player as they trek through the Yggdrasil labyrinth, is a useful addition. The additional difficulty modes also provide players with more options to tailor the game’s challenge to their liking. However, the price concerns may deter potential buyers unfamiliar with the series, as each of the three titles is priced at $40 individually, with the collection priced at $80.
Despite the minor font weirdness and getting used to a single-screen interface, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a commendable remaster. The games move faster overall, which is pleasant, and navigating the game’s dungeons and menus is exceptionally snappy.
Diehard fans may not mind the price so much since they already know they like these games, but for someone who is unfamiliar with the series, the price feels like a potential misfire. Nonetheless, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection deserves recognition for its impressive remaster and being an excellent dungeon-crawling RPG series that offers flexible class and party-building, tough bosses, good art and music, labyrinthian dungeons, and a lot of loot.
Learn more about Etrian Odyssey Trilogy HD
Are there any additional features or content added to the remastered trilogy collection?
The remastered trilogy collection of Etrian Odyssey Origins does not feature any additional content compared to the original releases. However, the games have been updated with new gameplay mechanics, including an automapping feature and additional difficulty modes.
The updated visuals have also been improved, particularly with character portraits looking impressive on 4K monitors. While the collection is priced at $80, each of the three titles is priced at $40 individually.
Overall, the remaster is commendable, with some minor issues with the pricepoint, and the reviewer recommends the game, particularly for fans of dungeon-crawling RPGs.
How does the automapping feature work in the remaster?
The automapping feature in the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection remaster is a new addition to the gameplay mechanics. It works by drawing about 90% of the map for the player as they explore dungeons, allowing them to focus on battling enemies and discovering loot.
The mapping mechanics have been improved from the original games, which required players to manually draw their own maps on the bottom touchscreen. The automapping feature is a helpful addition for players who may find manual mapping tedious or time-consuming, and it allows for a smoother and more streamlined gameplay experience overall.
Is there a physical English edition of the Origins Collection available outside of Asian regions?
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is available in English as a digital-only release, with no physical edition available outside of Asian regions. While the collection is a commendable remaster of the first three Etrian Odyssey games, the price point may be a potential misfire for those unfamiliar with the series.
Diehard fans may not mind the $80 price for the collection, but it may be too steep for those who don’t know if they will enjoy the games or not. However, the games are a must-play for fans of dungeon-crawling RPGs, and the addition of new difficulty modes adds to the experience.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is only available in a digital format, with no physical release availability outside of Asian regions.
How does the game perform on lower-powered machines and laptops?
When it comes to performance on lower-powered machines and laptops, Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection seems to be optimized well. There have not been any major compatibility issues reported, and the game is considered to be a low-intensity game that should run fine on lower-powered machines.
However, for those looking for optimization tips, it is recommended to adjust the graphics settings to suit your machine’s capabilities. The PC version also includes anti-aliasing and VSync options, as well as a borderless mode, which can improve performance on some machines.
The game is well-suited for those with lower-powered machines, but adjusting the graphics settings may be necessary for optimal performance.
What’s the difference between Etrian Odyssey HD and Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl?
Etrian Odyssey HD
“Etrian Odyssey HD” in the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a remastered version of the original Etrian Odyssey games, focusing on the core dungeon-crawling and map-drawing mechanics that the series is known for. It is based on the original games, not the remakes, and is available for both Nintendo Switch and PC.
The map-drawing feature is adapted to fit single-screen devices, allowing players to pull up the map on the right side of the game interface. An automapping feature is also introduced, which helps draw about 90% of the map for you as you explore the labyrinth. The gameplay is largely untouched from the original DS versions, maintaining the series’ classic gameplay elements.
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl
On the other hand, “Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl” is a remake of the original Etrian Odyssey game. It offers two modes: Classic Mode and Story Mode. Classic Mode is similar to the original game, where players can create their own characters and explore the labyrinth, while Story Mode introduces a fixed set of characters and a more structured narrative.
The Story Mode provides more context and character interactions, which adds a new layer of immersion and storytelling to the game, a departure from the typical gameplay of the series. The interface and graphics of the game are also updated, making it look a bit more modern. The map drawing feature is also present in this version, maintaining one of the series’ defining features.
While both versions maintain the core mechanics of Etrian Odyssey, the key difference lies in the presentation and structure. The Etrian Odyssey HD remasters in the Origins Collection offer a more classic experience, while Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl introduces narrative elements and a modernized interface to the gameplay.
