Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City

by Atlus

• Up to 5 friends can team up in special combat challenges over a local wireless connection to take down the toughest monsters living in the ocean. Additional options let you wirelessly trade items
• A system of 10 new classes and a wealth of proprietary skills make developing the optimal party absorbing, tactical, and rewarding
• When danger lurks around every corner, it is imperative to keep track of where you have been and what you found there. The streamlined map maker lets you draw paths, paint in terrain, and drag and drop icons
• The ocean becomes a new stage for exploration. Sail your ship, chart the ocean map, sink enemy vessels, and take on seagoing foes
• Play again and again as you pursue each of the game's three possible endings

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003S55EX2
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 21, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,909 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #7 in Video Games > Nintendo DS > Games > Strategy

Product Description

Amazon.com

Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City is a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) for DS and DSi that places the player in command of a band of adventurers on an ongoing quest to return their city to its once great status. The third release in the Etrian Odyssey franchise, the game features five character party combat, 5-player local wireless multiplayer support, a large number of character classes, the ability to explore and battle from sea vessels, customizable maps and three possible game endings.

Beneath Your Feet Lies a World Lost to the Seas...

The embodiment of adventure and discovery in the purest sense, Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City (EOIII) transports gamers to a sparkling oceanic paradise filled with atmospheric dungeons to chart and survey, vast watery expanses to sail across, and rumors of a sunken city to investigate. With an entirely new host of character classes to customize and train, the addition of naval travel and exploration, and the unprecedented introduction of cooperative local multiplayer content, EOIII isn't content to simply continue the series; it seeks to redefine it.

Explore a rich world with your party and customizable maps. View larger.

Gameplay

As with earlier releases in the series, EOIII is an RPG designed primarily around dungeon crawling and turn-based party combat. In single player action the player acts as leader a new crew of up to five adventurers, which must be created. In the local multiplayer mode each player occupies one of these five spots. The game contains many character classes, including but not limited to Prince, Gladiator, Hoplite, Buccaneer, Ninja, Monk, Zodiac, Wildling, Arbalist and Farmer. Each of these have their own strengths and weaknesses, which should be taken into account when a team is assembled. Each member of a class can can also be identified as male or female. Once assembled this team can start exploration of the Yggdrasil Labyrinth, where monsters dwell.

Within the Labyrinth players are guided by a map, which can be customized with points of interest, directions, etc. using the DS stylus. Once monsters are encountered, turn-based combat begins, with the five party members arrayed in a line of three in front and two in back, or vice versa, and with support/healing as well as ranged attacks possible from the rear. If a character in the vanguard falls, one from behind assumes that position on the line. Players dictate in advance how individual characters respond in combat, and with victory in combat can use the individual skill points characters earn to level up specific abilities and attributes. An additional new feature allows for players to take to the high seas. Here they can explore, fish and battle new monsters for as long as provisions are available for the crew.

Key Game Features

• Create Your Unique Team - A system of 10 new classes and a wealth of proprietary skills make developing the optimal party absorbing, tactical, and rewarding. Will you invest in sword mastery or learn a new healing spell?
• Live and Die By Your Map(-making) - When danger lurks around every corner, it is imperative to keep track of where you have been and what you found there. The streamlined map maker lets you draw paths, paint in terrain, and drag and drop icons.
• Adventure in the High Seas - The ocean becomes a new stage for exploration. Sail your ship, chart the ocean map, sink enemy vessels, and take on seagoing foes.
• Replay Value - Play again and again as you pursue each of the game's three possible endings.
• Wirelessly Share with Friends - Up to 5 friends can team up in special combat challenges over a local wireless connection to take down the toughest monsters living in the ocean. Additional options let you wirelessly trade items.

Additional Screenshots

5 player support. View larger.

A wealth of character classes. View larger.

Turn-based party combat. View larger.

New seagoing action. View larger.

Product Description

The embodiment of adventure and discovery in the purest sense, EOIII transports gamers to a sparkling oceanic paradise filled with atmospheric dungeons to chart and survey, vast watery expanses to sail across, and rumors of a sunken city to investigate. With an entirely new host of character classes to customize and train, the addition of naval travel and exploration, and the unprecedented introduction of cooperative local multiplayer content, EOIII isn't content to simply continue the series; it seeks to redefine it.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great RPG for fans of the series and anyone who's hardcore! October 8, 2010

By T. Rezabek

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

If you're already familiar with the Etrian Odyssey series and fan of the first two entries, stop reading now. This is the best entry in the series by far, and you should go out and buy this immediately.

For those who are new to this series or genre, it'll take a little thought on your part to determine if this is a game you'll enjoy. If you're the right kind of gamer for this game, however, I can just about guarantee that you'll absolutely LOVE this game.

Etrian Odyssey III is primarily a first person dungeon crawling RPG. It's got a bare-bones story that pushes you to create your own plots and stories as you play. The story overall is pretty involved and you'll meet a lot of interesting characters, but all the characters that you play are entirely of your own creation (from name to job to portait). To maximize the storytelling potential of this game, I highly recommend you take the time to create (and maybe even write down) stories for your guild and guild members.

Where EO3 really shines, however, is the gameplay. Character customization is the deepest in the series, and some of the best in the genre. You can create up to 30 different characters, and take a party of up to 5 with you into the dungeon. EO3 replaces the old classes from the first two entries in the series with 10 completely new classes. These classes are very unique and most are completely original (and not just a carbon copy of an old EO class). Within this class, you'll be spending skill points (you earn one with each level-up) to obtain both passive skills and skills you use as commands in battle. You can choose your character's name, gender, class, portrait (including 2 color schemes for each portrait), equipment, skills, and later in the game, a subclass. That's right, for the first time in the series, you'll be able to select a subclass and get most of the skills from class in combination with skills from your character's primary class. It adds a whole new level to customization and experimentation.

Exploring the labyrinth is simple enough thanks to fantastic controls (including the ability to slide sideways without changing direction with the L or R shoulder buttons). As you explore, you'll be drawing your own map on the touch screen. New to this entry is also the ability to draw a path of arrows on your map, which you can use for auto-walking. As you explore the labyrinth, you'll encounter enemies. Although they're technically random encounters, there is a gauge which changes color, so you'll rarely be surprised by battle. Battles are standard turn-based affairs, but tend to be very challenging and require a lot of strategy to win. You'll obtain items to sell and experience from battle, all of which are important to powering up your guild members as you progress through the Yggdrasil labyrinth. And of course FOEs (powerful boss-like monsters which roam the labyrinth) also return, and are back to giving out experience. Side quests are also available in the city of Armoroad, which are great for giving you something else to do besides exploring and mapping.

And if you need some fresh air, EO3 introduces sailing! Similar to exploring the labyrinth, you can now sail a ship on the open seas. You'll still be mapping them, but you won't be fighting any enemies while you sail. It's still challenging and requires some strategy, and you'll unlock quests which pit you against more challenging monsters (with valuable rewards, of course). Inver Port is also home to the another new element in the series--multiplayer elements. You can tackle tough battles with friends using local wireless, go into a "tag mode" where you can meet other guilds, or trade items with fellow explorers. The only issue here is that it's a very minor component, and can only be used locally (and not online). If you've got friends with the game, however, it's a great feature, if not a bit underwhelming.

EO3 continues tradition with presentation. Most of the game's graphics consist of gorgeous 2D art (the maritime theme really leads to some stunningly beautiful areas) and very detailed character portraits. The labyrinth and seafaring feature 3D graphics, all of which are perfectly functional if not attractive. You'll encounter some absolutely beautiful areas in the labyrinth, and I personally found them to be a bit more varied and interesting to look at in general. Battle animations are a bit more varied, and of course the monster designs are all fantastic and detailed. There's no voice acting in the game, but the sound effects are sufficient. And of course, the music is absolutely fantastic. It's got a retro sound to it, but the melodies are all excellent. If you enjoy the music in the game, I highly recommend listening to tracks from the Super Arrange soundtrack album, which feature these melodies played with actual instruments.

If all of this sounds interesting and fun to you, go get the game, because I'm sure you'll love it. If you're still not sure, I still recommend trying it out. It's very challenging and the presentation is attractive-but-simple, but it's a very deep and customizable RPG experience that will literally last you for hours. There's also a new game+ feature, which allows you to keep replaying the game with all your maps, items, and guild members, which means you can easily experiment with different parties, classes, and skill builds. Basically, if you enjoy RPGs and don't mind a challenge and lighter story, GET THIS GAME!

~QUICK READ~

STORY: Sufficient but barebones; this game is more about creating your own story.
GAMEPLAY: Fairly simple overall, but a lot of customization options. You explore dungeons/the ocean and map these areas yourself. Battles are standard turn-based encounters, but very challenging.
PRESENTATION: Again, simple, but still very attractive. Music is fantastic, major high point of the game.
LONGEVITY: This game takes a long time to finish, and the gameplay is customizable enough that it's worth playing through multiple times.

BUY IT: If you like RPGs focused on exploration, character customization, and tough battles.
DON'T BUY IT: If you're looking for an involved story, high-end presentation/graphics, or forgiving difficulty.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great game! October 6, 2010

By M. Long

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

First let me just say that I haven't played Etrian Odyssey I/II, but I've heard that III is an improvement.
The art book is also nice and feels rather high quality.

Anyway, on to the game review:

I just got the game earlier today and I don't want to stop playing it. You start off by creating a Guild and adding/creating members (30 maximum) from a total of 10 classes and 8 appearances for each class. I've heard that you can even dual class later on in the game, but I haven't gotten that far yet. There's basically two ways to level up, earn gold, and find items: Labyrinth and exploring the sea. The Labyrinth is basically a dungeon crawler similar to Strange Journey, but there are quite a few interesting additions. My favorite additions are the item system and the FOE. The item system is pretty unique/fun because you can sell monster parts and materials to the shop to unlock new equipment for purchase/crafting. You can also upgrade equipment by adding bonus effects to free enhancement slots in a similar manner. I suppose it's time to talk about the dreaded FOEs...

...FOEs are basically Elite enemies that walk around dungeons and will try to hunt you down. Generally, you don't want to fight them because they're INCREDIBLY powerful, but there's some serious experience and unique materials involved if you manage to defeat one. As of this review I just managed to defeat my first FOE after around 4 failed attempts and crafted a really powerful Lance using the materials it dropped. I honestly can't wait to find another one to test my new weapon out on. lol

Last but not least is the exploration mode. You basically get your own ship and can sail the open seas in search of treasure, bosses, and new areas. I think the most interesting part of this mode is that you unlock new Sea Quests by discovering new locations. These quests are pretty fun and usually pair you up with NPCs to take on a powerful boss or multiple waves of enemies and can be played with friends using local wireless multiplayer. I also got a few unique equips that the NPCs were using for completing the quests.

Anyway, that's about all I know at this time. I'm sure there's a lot more to this game, but I've only played for around 6 hours and couldn't resist writing a review. The short and simple: this game is definitely worth buying and I can't wait for my DS to finish charging so I can continue playing.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Part III, improved September 28, 2010

By T. Hof

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Etrian Odyssey III continues the dungeon crawl that began this series, and where the second game didn't add much variation, this time they have added some features to change it up a bit. The graphics and sound remain on par with the first two games (if you haven't played them, try to get your hands on them), and the game play remains the same (enter dungeon, slay monsters, draw map while exploring, take bounty from victories back to store to earn money and buy better weapons/armor), but they have added a second quest where you go asea to explore the area around the dungeon site city, and they have added a few new character types (add a princess to your party!) to bring some more variety into the game. If you like your game to go from A to B, this one isn't for you, as you will be doing huge amounts of retreading through the dungeons to level up enough to survive the night. They have added "camping spots" this time, so you don't have to continually head to the city, and there seem to be more secret paths so you can zoom between levels more directly.
I am really enjoying this, in a time-wasting way, and should get many, many hours of play out of the game.