The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection remasters the original trilogy, which was released for the Nintendo DS back in 2007. The new remaster will bring the classic games to modern platforms like Nintendo Switch and PC. The games will feature enhanced HD graphics, a brand-new soundtrack, 24 new character portraits, and various quality-of-life improvements.
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is set to release on June 1, 2023, on the PC and Nintendo Switch and is out for preorder now. Pre-ordering also grants access to the Character Portrait DLC sets for all three games.
Plot
The Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection revamps the trilogy, with each game featuring its own storyline and setting. In Etrian Odyssey HD, players take charge of a team of explorers embarking on a quest for fame and fortune. Players need to navigate enchanted forests, perplexing labyrinths, and a foreboding dungeon.
In Etrian Odyssey II HD, players gather a group of heroes to explore the skies, searching for castles beyond the clouds, where the Yggdrasil tree holds the answers to Etria’s mysteries. Etrian Odyssey III HD immerses players in an undersea labyrinth, where they unravel the secrets of the Deep City of Armoroad, brimming with advanced technology, buried treasures, and hidden enigmas.
Gameplay features
Etrian Odyssey is known for its challenging gameplay and unique mapping mechanics. The gameplay is based around turn-based combat with exploration, character development, and mapping playing a vital role. Here are the key gameplay aspects for the collection:
Team building
Building a capable team is crucial in Etrian Odyssey. Each character has distinct abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, which adds a strong strategic element to the game. The remastered collection introduces 24 additional character portraits, offering more customization options and potentially breaking away from traditional class-based limitations.
Dungeon exploration
Players navigate sprawling labyrinthine dungeons, encountering puzzles, obstacles, traps, enemies, and challenging bosses. Explorers must exercise caution, strategize their movements, and engage in battles to progress. Hidden locations, secret pathways, and valuable treasures can be discovered throughout the dungeons, offering rewards for exploring the map.
Map-building
Etrian Odyssey retains its old-school charm by allowing players to manually chart the dungeons as they explore. For those seeking a more streamlined experience, the game provides an option to automate the map creation process.
Turn-based combat
Tactical turn-based combat plays a significant role in Etrian Odyssey. Players must strategically decide the actions for each team member based on the enemy they face. Accumulating experience points through battles and completing quests allows characters to level up, learn new spells, and develop unique abilities.
Side quests
Players can complete several side-quests offered by NPCs in the hub city while completing the main storyline. These quests will provide opportunities to explore new areas, uncover hidden stories, solve mysteries, and earn rewards such as experience points, valuable equipment, or access to previously locked regions.
High difficulty
Etrian Odyssey is known for its high difficulty level, and the remastered collection offers three difficulty options to accommodate different skill levels. Expert mode retains the original games’ challenging experience, while Picnic and Basic modes provide a more accessible entry point for players who prefer a less demanding gameplay experience.
Additional new features
Alongside the remastered graphics and soundtrack, the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection introduces quality-of-life improvements. Players can choose their preferred difficulty level, utilize save slots to track progress, and easily access the monster compendium, quest log, and skill tree. These enhancements assist in strategic planning and tactical combat.
As the release date for this collection approaches, players can look forward to immersing themselves in the high-definition graphics by Yuji Himukai and the iconic music composed by Yuzo Koshiro.
