Etrian Odyssey II

Last updated
Etrian Odyssey II:
Heroes of Lagaard
Etrian Odyssey II.jpg
North American cover art
Developer(s) Atlus
Lancarse
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Shigeo Komori
Programmer(s) Atsushi Motouchi
Artist(s) Yuji Himukai
Composer(s) Yuzo Koshiro
Series Etrian Odyssey
Platform(s)
ReleaseNintendo DS
  • JP: February 21, 2008
  • NA: June 17, 2008 [1]
Switch, Windows
  • WW: June 1, 2023
Genre(s) Role-playing, dungeon crawler
Mode(s) Single-player

Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard [2] is a 2008 dungeon crawler role-playing video game by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. Heroes of Lagaard is the sequel to Etrian Odyssey .

Contents

A remake, titled Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight , was released for Nintendo 3DS in 2014. A remastered version of the original was released for Nintendo Switch and Windows in June 2023 under the title Etrian Odyssey II HD.

Story

Within the Grand Duchy of High Lagaard, a crisis has suddenly caused renewed interest in a floating castle which resides high in the clouds overhead. According to the available research, it can be reached by traversing a forested maze, the Yggdrasil Labyrinth, composed of many levels. In an effort to obtain the mythical "Grail of Kings" said to be kept in the floating palace, the Duke of High Lagaard is now recruiting adventurers in order to explore the labyrinth and discover exactly how to reach the castle. The player takes the role of the leader of one such guild of adventurers.

Gameplay

Etrian Odyssey II requires players to slowly make their way up the trunk of a massive magical tree in order to reach a floating castle at the top while completing smaller quests along the way. The tree is represented by a series of vertically stacked levels which are explored one at a time with frequent return trips to town in order to rest and resupply.

In classic fashion, players navigate through the forest locales a single "step" at a time, moving and turning in fixed increments. Time passes only when an action is taken, causing movement, encounters, and combat to all be entirely turn-based. While randomly generated enemies cannot be spotted in advance, certain more powerful "FOEs" usually can be seen on the map and avoided if necessary, although "FOEs" still respawn every three game days. The game uses a first-person view to present the labyrinth using a combination of relatively simple 3D computer graphics for environments and single-frame 2D sprites for enemies.

Similar to early role-playing video games that did not support automatic mapping, players of Etrian Odyssey II must maintain their own maps. This is done by using the stylus to manually fashion maps on the DS touchscreen, with whatever level of detail is desired. Periodic warp points allow players to escape the labyrinth in order to save the game, so being able to successfully return to these (with the assistance of an accurate map) can be quite important. When compared to the mapping system in the original Etrian Odyssey, there are now additional symbols which can be used.

Featuring no pre-made characters, the title instead requires players to create their own from twelve different character types, each with at least one special skill or aptitude. While only five characters can be in the party at once, up to thirty can be created and kept in waiting back at the "guild hall". Characters can be switched in and out when in town, so if a given specialty is needed for a specific obstacle, the party can be tailored appropriately. The player further customizes characters by allocating skill points to specific skills during level advancement.

Development

After his scenario work on the original Etrian Odyssey , Shigeo Komori took on the role of director for Etrian Odyssey II, replacing Kazuya Niino, who provided no input on the sequel. [3] During an interview, Komori confirmed that it was indeed his goal to create a very "old-school style of game", intending to evoke feelings of nostalgia from gamers who played similar games in years prior. [4] In a separate interview, Komori noted that while the game engine was re-used from Etrian Odyssey, the character classes and enemies were given completely new artwork, as were the dungeon "strata" (layers). [5] Other enhancements which make the new title more convenient for players include being able to walk sideways in the labyrinth, displaying the characters' status inside stores, and being able to switch characters with the L and R Buttons. [5]

Music for Heroes of Lagaard was provided by Yuzo Koshiro, who created the music on an NEC PC-88 before adapting it for the DS. [3] Koshiro was left to his own devices in coming up with the score, using only descriptions of the game environments and scenes in doing so.

Etrian Odyssey II originally shipped with a number of gameplay bugs in Japan, but many of these were addressed for the North American release, where the developers were pleased to have additional time to improve the game. [6]

Remaster

During a Nintendo Direct event on February 8, 2023, Atlus announced that the game will be remastered in HD and released for Nintendo Switch and Windows on June 1, 2023. The remaster is available for purchase separately or alongside remasters of the first Etrian Odyssey and Etrian Odyssey III in the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection. [7]

The remastered version is based on the Nintendo DS original instead of its 2014 remake, and includes updated visuals and music, quality of life changes, and additional character portraits. Portraits featuring Demi-Fiend from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and Teddie from Persona 4 were added as DLC. [8]

Reception

Etrian Odyssey II received "favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [9] As before, the gameplay was described as being primarily intended for the most hardcore fans of the genre, causing IGN to declare, "Etrian Odyssey is a tough as nails series, and only the hardest of hardcore RPG fans will get enjoyment out of it". [16] Nonetheless, most reviewers felt that there was a worthwhile experience beneath the difficult and sometimes painful adventure; the GameSpot review explained: "It's rare to find a game that can sometimes feel like work yet still be enjoyable". [12] 1UP.com concluded: "Sure, we're all dying to know what 'La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo' means -- myself included. But it says something about our hobby that even in a week when the biggest-budget, highest-tech game imaginable hits stores, there's a seemingly anachronistic, equally engrossing labor of love available from a minuscule, hardworking crew with just as much heart as [Hideo] Kojima's team. The gaming world's got more than enough room for both, and I couldn't be happier". [10]

It was the 89th best-selling game in Japan in 2008, selling 145,421 copies. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dungeon crawl</span> Type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games

A dungeon crawl is a type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) in which heroes navigate a labyrinth environment, battling various monsters, avoiding traps, solving puzzles, and looting any treasure they may find. Video games and board games which predominantly feature dungeon crawl elements are considered to be a genre.

<i>Deep Labyrinth</i> 2004 video game

Deep Labyrinth is a 3D role-playing video game developed by Interactive Brains for mobile phone devices and the Nintendo DS handheld game system.

Mystery Dungeon, known in Japan as Fushigi no Dungeon, is a series of roguelike role-playing video games. Most were developed by Chunsoft, now Spike Chunsoft since the merging in 2012, and select games were developed by other companies with Chunsoft's permission. The series began when co–creator of Dragon Quest, Koichi Nakamura, was inspired by Seiichiro Nagahata's experience with Rogue, who is also a fellow developer from the company, and a desire to create an original series. It began on the Super Famicom, progressing to almost all of Nintendo's and Sony's home and handheld consoles, WonderSwan, Dreamcast, Windows, and mobile devices.

<i>Etrian Odyssey</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Etrian Odyssey is a 2007 3D dungeon crawler role-playing video game by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It centers around first-person exploration of a mysterious dungeon known as the Yggdrasil Labyrinth using a player-created party of characters. The game received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who criticized its punishing difficulty as limiting its appeal, but also making its gameplay more rewarding.

<i>Drone Tactics</i> 2007 video game

Drone Tactics is a turn-based strategy video game developed and published in Japan by Success and published in North America by Atlus for the Nintendo DS, which was released on May 13, 2008. The story follows two school children who find small insects from another world, and help them save it from an impending threat. Drone Tactics received positive reviews upon release. Critics praised the gameplay but criticized the story and characters for skewering towards a younger audience.

<i>Rondo of Swords</i> 2007 video game

Rondo of Swords, known in Japan as Rondo of Deception, is a strategy role-playing video game developed by Success and published by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. The game was released in Japan on August 9, 2007, and in North America on April 15, 2008.

<i>MySims Kingdom</i> 2008 video game

MySims Kingdom is a video game developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts as a spin-off to Maxis' The Sims franchise for the Nintendo DS and Wii in 2008. MySims Kingdom is a follow-up to MySims, which was released in 2007 and was followed by MySims Party, MySims Racing, MySims Agents and MySims SkyHeroes.

<i>Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns</i> 2007 video game

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns, released in Japan as Gōma Reifu Den Izuna Ni, is a dungeon crawler video game developed by Ninja Studio and published in Japan by Success and in North America by Atlus for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It is the sequel to Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja and was released in Japan on November 29, 2007 and in North America on July 22, 2008.

<i>Class of Heroes</i> 2008 video game

Class of Heroes is a role-playing video game dungeon crawler for the PlayStation Portable developed by Zero Div and published by Acquire in Japan and Atlus in North America. In Japan, the game was released on August 26, 2008; in North America, the game was released on June 9, 2009 by Atlus. In the game, players progress by navigating dungeons as hordes of enemies appear and attack in turn-based combat. Class of Heroes received mixed reviews from critics, with some appreciating the creative take on dungeon-crawling and others disliking the game's graphics and grind-based leveling system.

<i>Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey</i> 2009 role-playing game

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is a role-playing video game developed by Atlus and Lancarse for the Nintendo DS. The game is the sixth entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series, which forms the core of the Megami Tensei franchise. It was released in Japan in 2009, and in North America in 2010. An enhanced port for the Nintendo 3DS, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux, was released in Japan in 2017, and was released internationally in 2018 by Atlus in North America and Deep Silver in Europe.

<i>Etrian Odyssey III</i> 2010 video game

Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City is a 2010 3D dungeon crawler role-playing video game by Atlus for the Nintendo DS. It is a sequel to Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard. Players assume the role of a guild leader, adventuring into the labyrinth to fulfill quests.

<i>Etrian Odyssey IV</i> Video game for the Nintendo 3DS

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is a dungeon crawler role playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the sequel to Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City and the first in the Etrian Odyssey series to be released on the Nintendo 3DS.

<i>Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl</i> 2013 video game

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is a 2013 role-playing video game for the Nintendo 3DS by Atlus. It is part of the Etrian Odyssey series, and is both a "reimagining" and a remake of the first entry. It was released by Atlus in 2013 for Japan on June 27 and in North America on October 1 and released by NIS America in Europe on May 2, 2014. It was available via both Nintendo eShop and retail at release.

<i>Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth</i> 2014 video game for Nintendo 3DS

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is a role-playing video game developed by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. It is part of the Persona series, itself part of the larger Megami Tensei franchise. It was published across all territories in 2014: released in June in Japan, November in North America and Europe, and December in Australia. Atlus published the game in Japan and North America, while NIS America published it in the PAL region.

<i>Etrian Mystery Dungeon</i> Video game for the Nintendo 3DS

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a role-playing video game for the Nintendo 3DS. It was developed by Spike Chunsoft and Atlus, and published by Atlus in Japan on March 5, 2015 and Atlus USA in North America on April 7. It was published by NIS America in Europe on September 11. The game is a crossover between Atlus' Etrian Odyssey series and Spike Chunsoft's Mystery Dungeon series. A sequel, Etrian Mystery Dungeon 2, was released in Japan on August 31, 2017.

<i>Etrian Odyssey V</i> Video game for the Nintendo 3DS

Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth is a dungeon crawler role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. The game was released in Japan in August 2016, in North America in October 2017, and in the PAL region the following month.

<i>Etrian Odyssey</i> Video game series

Etrian Odyssey is a dungeon crawler role-playing video game series. It is primarily developed and published by Atlus and currently owned by Sega. By 2016, the series had sold a combined total of 1.5 million copies worldwide.

<i>Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight</i> Video game for the Nintendo 3DS

Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight is a role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS. It is part of the Etrian Odyssey series, and is a remake of Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard. It was released in Japan in November 2014, in North America in August 2015, and in the PAL region in February 2016.

<i>Etrian Odyssey Nexus</i> Video game from the Etrian Odyssey series

Etrian Odyssey Nexus is a dungeon crawler role-playing video game published and developed by Atlus for the Nintendo 3DS and it is the sixth and final main installment to be released on the handheld console. It was released in Japan in August 2018, and worldwide in February 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (2008-03-27). "Etrian Odyssey II Named, Dated for U.S." IGN. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  2. ↑ Known in Japan as Sekaiju no Meikyū II: Shoō no Seihai (世界樹の迷宮II 諸王の聖杯, lit. Yggdrasil Labyrinth II: The Holy Grail of Kings)
  3. 1 2 Parish, Jeremy (June 4, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II Director Q&A Preview". 1UP.com . Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  4. ↑ Bozon, Mark (June 12, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Interview". IGN . Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  5. 1 2 RPGamer staff. "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Interview". RPGamer. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  6. ↑ Fitch, Andrew (July 8, 2008). "Anime Expo: Atlus Talks Persona 4, Trauma Center's Future". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  7. ↑ Dinsdale, Ryan (February 8, 2023). "Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Brings Original 3 Games to Nintendo Switch and PC". IGN. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  8. ↑ Romano, Sal (February 8, 2023). "Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection announced for Switch, PC". Gematsu. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard for DS Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on 2011-08-28. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  10. 1 2 Fitch, Andrew (June 17, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Review". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  11. ↑ EGM staff (July 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard". Electronic Gaming Monthly . p. 81.
  12. 1 2 Shau, Austin (July 8, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  13. ↑ Coates, John (June 18, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard review". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Etrian Odyssey: Heroes of Lagaard". GamesTM : 121. September 2008.
  15. ↑ Platt, Dylan (August 5, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard - NDS - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  16. 1 2 Bozon, Mark (June 18, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard". Nintendo Power . Vol. 230. July 2008. p. 81.
  18. ↑ Trammell, David (June 17, 2008). "Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  19. ↑ Cavalli, Earnest (June 18, 2008). "Review: Etrian Odyssey II Brings Back That Old-School Masochism". Wired . Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  20. ↑ "2008 top 100". Kyoto. Archived from the original on February 24, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.