I know a few people around here have played the previous games.
The next entry of the Etrian Odyssey series drops near the end of February for NA (already released in Japan). The demo was released today on the 3DS Shop - search for Etrian or look under Upcoming Releases. Demo has 30 tries.
What is Etrian Odyssey?
Etrian Odyssey is a RPG series produced by Atlus. It requires you to build a party of up to 5 characters that can be swapped out at will by the Guild system. The objective of the game (at least the original) is to explore the dungeon that await outside the town. You go in completely blind - you must chart your own map in the touch section of the screen. Enemies you kill can drop items, which can be sold to merchants to provide new items. Harder enemies appear on screen and may pursue you. These are known as FOEs. Quests and Missions can be picked up at the town, which will advance the story and give rewards.
The games have been known to have quite the difficulty curve. It has no qualms about handing you your ass if you fuck around.
Demo Features
- Access to first two dungeons of the game
- Can raise certain characters up to level 10
- Exclusive QR codes for the demo
- Introduction to the system mechanics
- Everything you get in the demo carries over to release
Features/Changes from Previous EO Games
Thus far, I've found the following:
- Travel is now by airship. Can now travel for unlimited amount of time. No more returning home for supplies like EO3
- Overworld has food that you can pick up - both common and rare drops. Leftover food can be sold back in town or consumed to provide perks in the dungeons
- FOEs will appear in the overworld. They can be distracted by the right food
- Overworld has crews in other airships that will trade items
- If you've already visited a dungeon and accessed the portal there, you can warp directly in from town
- Monsters now appear as 3D models instead of 2D sprites
- FOEs now appear as whatever monster they are. Gone are the days of the orange blob.
- Game now has a Casual difficulty, for those who don't want the asspounding an EO game provides.
- Class skills have a much more accessible view, making skill planning easier. Skills are broken into in 3 tiers: Novice (Level 1+), Veteran (Level 20+), and Master (Level 40+)
- Resource grinding is now a 3x a day deal per resource spot. Each class has an ability that can increase chance of rare finds
- Enemy battles now have rows (front and back line)
- QR Codes can be accessed to provide items, equipment and quests.
- Guild Cards (information on peoples' guilds) can be traded via StreetPass or uploaded via QR codes
Classes
Returning from Etrian Odyssey 1/2:
- Landsknecht - Physical DD
- Medic - Healing
- Fortress (formerly known as Defender) - Tank
- Runemastrer (formerly known as Alchemist) - Magic DD
- Survivalist (formerly known as Survivalist) - Ranged DD
- Bushi (formerly known as Ronin) - Physical DD (less defensive compared to Landsknecht) - Unlocked later
New Classes:
- Dancer - Physical DD and Party Support
- Nightseekr - Physical DD and Debuff
- Arcanist - Magic DD and Support? - Unlocked later
- Imperial - Physical DD - Unlocked later
Where to Find QR Codes
QR Codes can be scanned from the Cargo Wharf in town. Thus far, I have found the following QR codes.
At the end is a QR code - Kung Fu Shoes (Armor)
http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2013/020713a.html - Accessory Pin (Sword)
http://etrianodyssey4.blogspot.com/ - Shinjuku Map (Trade Item)
http://s3.hubimg.com/u/7666266_f260.jpg - Jester's Cap (Armor - Provoke)
http://i.imgur.com/u5YQyJZ.png - Snow Ring
09FEB2012 FB Code: http://i.imgur.com/6tbPtms.jpg - Battle Charm (HP +20)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCwhn7uCMAEQDSp.jpg - Surgeon's Scalpel (Dagger - Refresh)
Another Facebook Code - Analysis Goggles - +3 Crit Stat
Juncto Hammer
Yggdrasil Baton
Yggdroid Doll
Sniper Gauntlet
Helpful Letter
Quests - Area required marked in parenthesis:
The Loud Croaking Frogs (Small Orchard)
Valley Spring Hunt (Lush Woodlands B2F) and Frog Hunt (Cloudy Stronghold)
Bushland Hunt Quest (Dense Bushland)
Deer Chasers (Scarlet Pillars)
An Unrooted Blossom (???)
An Eagle Never Loops Up (Sacred Mountain)
The Man-Eating Turtles (Cloudy Stronghold)
At RPGFan's Behest (Moth's Garden)
The Peacock Mourns (???)
Moth to the Flame (???)
GameStop Quests - 6 total (will break down later)
An Unforgettable Peak (Sacred Mountains?)
Will try to keep this list current as more are found.
Helpful Links
EO4 Skill Calculator - http://www.crazyuncleivans.com/eo4skillsim/tabbed.html