[slaughterking]

My hype is only hindered by the potential non-release in Europe.

[BuckRobotron]

Keeping an eye on this. Etrian Odyssey and Fire Emblem have a large say in when/if I get a 3DS. My primary DS game for quite a while has been EO3.

[fates]

Maybe I have low standards but I think it looks great. I am a sucker for sprites but this could work. Saw the preview video the motions seem good enough, for what little they actually did show.

And the music was nice.

Looks like they brought back the 1/2 classes, I'm guessing they are going to revisit them with 3's subclassing system. At least that's what I hope.

[jman2050]

It's Etrian Oddysey, who cares what it looks like.

[Dolgan]

I'm glad this is a totally new game instead an enhanced port like Overclocked. Looking forward toward more info.

[jorgeton]

It's Etrian Oddysey, who cares what it looks like.

This x100.

I hope they expand on the subclass system, as that was truly a game changer. Ninja Zodiacs are no joke.

[turnbuckle]

Old FOEs? Anyway I like the setting more than EO3 (somehow it reminded me of Shingeki no Kyojin), but the hot air balloon looked too much like the ship now, a feature that didn't really click with me. Eagerly waiting for more news.

Yeah, I wasn't a big fan of the ship/sailing stuff in EO3. Still have high hopes for this, but if the balloon stuff is anything like the ship I'll be somewhat disappointed.

[SecretMoblin]

Also hoping they do something innovative with the class system. Subclassing would be lovely; it was terrifying and wonderful how many options you were given once you unlocked that ability in EOIII. So many choices, so few points...

As far as the balloon stuff is concerned, I don't mind it. The ship was kind of pointless and silly, but it didn't really ruin the game and it wasn't necessary. I'm just hoping for more than one map for it this time, and it looks like I'll get my wish.

It's Etrian Oddysey, who cares what it looks like.

For the most part, I agree. But as duckroll pointed out in the announcement thread, it's silly to bring on big names to do the art and not have it look as pretty as possible. Judging by the few screenshots we've seen, I'm perfectly fine with how it looks. But I can understand the lack of enthusiasm for the graphics.

[Ri'Orius]

While the models obviously don't look as good as sprites, if memory serves the sprites in EO3 at least didn't animate at all, right? I feel like it's an acceptable trade-off: animated models > still sprites. Animated sprites would be ideal, but as I understand it those are a lot more time-consuming to make, yes?

[LiK]

i'm glad the 2D character art made it.

[M3d10n]

He'll probably be sniffing his ass or something. I dunno, what do bears do? :)

Shit in the woods?

[ElFly]

Mmm I feel they improved the wrong part.

Should have kept the sprite enemies, and put more effort on the dungeons.

[semiconscious]

I think at some point (I'm not saying we're there yet, but maybe in a year or so) we will have to stop considering this as a possibility and just accept that smaller developers, especially in Japan, will continue to make games which meet just a bare minimum standard, because it is enough for the audience that they're serving, and spending more money on the production of that sort of game will not result in increased sales or a larger audience. I expect there to be many Vita games which look like PSP games, and many 3DS games which look like DS or PSP games. Just like how there are many PS3 games today which look like PS2 games rendered at a higher resolution.

&, if this be true, & i'm thinking it is, i have no problem with it. currently replaying ffta, & having as good a time with it as any number of hd triple-a titles. gameplay's what it's all about, & part of the price is satisfactory rather than spectacular graphics, it don't bother me...

ot - for me, this is one more good reason to grab a 3ds at some point...

[scy]

Looks meh. I'm just hoping to have something to sink my teeth into mechanics wise.

...

Just realized I'll need to buy a JPN 3DS for importing a copy if I want to work on that before the US release. Dang :/

[SecretMoblin]

While the models obviously don't look as good as sprites, if memory serves the sprites in EO3 at least didn't animate at all, right?

The sprites themselves didn't animate, no. There were limited battle animations relating to the nature of the attack: blunt, slash, etc.

[Emitan]

Haven't ever played one of these before, but I wish it was using sprites for enemies instead of models :/

[Cactus]

Haven't ever played one of these before, but I wish it was using sprites for enemies instead of models :/

If you want sprites, you could always buy one of the other EO games.

[Pyrrhus]

I think at some point (I'm not saying we're there yet, but maybe in a year or so) we will have to stop considering this as a possibility and just accept that smaller developers, especially in Japan, will continue to make games which meet just a bare minimum standard, because it is enough for the audience that they're serving, and spending more money on the production of that sort of game will not result in increased sales or a larger audience.

I get what you're saying and all, but this is Atlus. We know they can do better, even on a budget. It's not like they're some microdeveloper coding iOS games out of a basement somewhere. They're a pretty well regarded middle tier software house. It's fine to expect a certain level of production value to their work. But this isn't finished and the screenshots are bad so maybe things will look a little sleeker in the finished product.

[Emitan]

If you want sprites, you could always buy one of the other EO games.

But then it'll look bad on my 3DS. And this game probably has more stuff in it.

[Ronian]

But then it'll look bad on my 3DS. And this game probably has more stuff in it.

EO III = 2 unlockable classes, multiple endings, 1 extra stratum, sea quests, subclassing

[Why would you do that?]

Huh, you're making me think I'm crazy for thinking the screens look nice. The art style is vibrant and colorful, and there's certainly a lot of nice detail in the screens.

Not every game has to look like MGS 3 or RE:Revelations...

[Cactus]

Huh, you're making me think I'm crazy for thinking the screens look nice. The art style is vibrant and colorful, and there's certainly a lot of nice detail in the screens. Not every game has to look like MGS 3 or RE:Revelations...

Totally agree. Discounting the balloon shots, there's a clear visual upgrade over the originals.

[Error]

as long as the dungeon crawling portion has good draw distance and runs at 60fps, I'm ok with it. Also would like battles at 60fps.

[cj_iwakura]

I wish they'd stuck with sprites instead of polygonal enemies. Oh well. Not a big deal.

Yeah, I was hoping for Strange Journey style animation only more animated.

[SecretMoblin]

Given the awkwardness of the draw distance in the first three, it's certainly a higher priority for me than a few extra trees here and there.

[Bioloff]

I think at some point (I'm not saying we're there yet, but maybe in a year or so) we will have to stop considering this as a possibility and just accept that smaller developers, especially in Japan, will continue to make games which meet just a bare minimum standard, because it is enough for the audience that they're serving, and spending more money on the production of that sort of game will not result in increased sales or a larger audience. I expect there to be many Vita games which look like PSP games, and many 3DS games which look like DS or PSP games. Just like how there are many PS3 games today which look like PS2 games rendered at a higher resolution.

I don't buy it. They wouldn't have paid a lot of money to hire such a fantastic artist if that was truly the case, right?

PS - Those screens are unacceptable today. I love those earlier games but there is no doubt in my mind this was originally on the DS and they haven't fixed it yet for what the 3DS can offer.

Keep in mind, I'm not saying it should look like the best on the 3DS, but what I am saying is it should at the very least look like a 3DS game.

[-Pyromaniac-]

lol I love how the OP goes from beautiful art to ugly ass game. I'm still interested in it but it's fugly.

[EuropeOG]

Graphics are quite lacklustre.

[7threst]

I really hope this makes it to Europe. Damn you, 3DS regionlock!

[jj984jj]

I don't know why people think this was a DS game. I don't think it looks great, but only the hot air balloon screens look anywhere near that bad.

[DrWong]

Curious to see if we'll have some noticeable improvement on the visual area within the release. Do we have a release date ?

[Torraz]

Hooray, another game that won't make it to EU.

[patrickthehedgehog]

Curious to see if we'll have some noticeable improvement on the visual area within the release. Do we have a release date ?

July 5th in Japan I believe.

[SecretMoblin]

Curious to see if we'll have some noticeable improvement on the visual area within the release. Do we have a release date ?

Given the release date, there is absolutely no way they would be able to spruce up the visuals even if they wanted to.

The screens are as good as it's going to look.

[Mejilan]

The sprite and UI resolution boost is welcome, the art work looks stellar, and combat looks like it'll be visually juicier. But 'yikes' with those dungeon screens. They look... baaaaaad.
Still. Day one!

[Hispanicguy]

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/22...-in-a-dx-pack/

Famitsu and Atlus are teaming up to create a deluxe version of Etrian Odyssey IV. The DX pack includes the Nintendo 3DS game, a B2 size poster, four clear folders, and a mug with artwork from character designer Yuji Himukai. The bundle will retail for 8,979 yen ($112) in Japan.

As soon as I pick up a 3DS, I need to play through part 2 and 3. Never got around to those. Loved the 1st one though.

[perfectnight]

Here's to hoping it has the awesome customization of EO3 + the difficulty of 1.

[Octorockin']

i'm glad the 2D character art made it.

Yeah, I think the character illustrations add a lot to the series' visual appeal. The roomier battle screen looks like it will allow the artwork to stand out a little more too, which is cool.

The environmental concept art is stunning, and the dungeon screenshots don't look too bad. I'll be looking forward to this.

[Winnie the Pimp]

why i will just import it like i did with EO3 and then...

oh wait

[SatelliteOfLove]

Here's to hoping it has the awesome customization of EO3 + the difficulty of 1.

Allowing weaknesses of one class to be covered by another is a huge sapping of that difficulty. Plus, you know, Royalty + X, Shogun + X, etc.

[Pureauthor]

Allowing weaknesses of one class to be covered by another is a huge sapping of that difficulty. Plus, you know, Royalty + X, Shogun + X, etc.

They can just make the enemies even tougher to match!

[SanaeAkatsuki]

I won't lie, when I saw the tree in the Nintendo Direct trailer, for a moment I hoped for a new Secret of mana : _( .. Did Yamamoto work on the art for that game? the plants seem so similar...

Hiroo Isono did the art for Secret of Mana.
http://www9.ocn.ne.jp/~hiroo/

He's released an iPad art book too!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/into-...439482780?mt=8

It's Etrian Oddysey, who cares what it looks like.

Even if the graphics were never technically amazing, they've got a sweet style code to abide by IMO.

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/22...-in-a-dx-pack/ As soon as I pick up a 3DS, I need to play through part 2 and 3. Never got around to those. Loved the 1st one though.

Oooooooh, that DX pack looks sweet! I always love the bonus preorder soundtracks they include. Good stuff! Alas, no 3DS and joblessness looming on the horizon.
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

[Nekki]

Oh man, i only payed EO1 (never finished the 6th Stratum) and i loved it!!! Should get to finish it sometime, and prolly play the rest, tho i don't wanna get burnt on them so i'll do it slowly lol. Loving the look of this one, it is an improvement over the old ones!

[Zekes!]

Outside of the balloon segments I think it looks okay

[zashga]

Outside of the balloon segments I think it looks okay

Agreed. The balloon screenshots look pretty bad, but still a big step up from the Sea in EO3.

More interesting to me is the fact that the trailer music does not sound like the PC-88 tracks from the first 3 games. If that's indicative of the in-game music, it could have a much bigger impact on the aesthetic than the samey visuals.

[jaundicejuice]

It always seem to come down to a sequel being announced to motivate me to beat the previous entry in the series. I need to get back to EOIII and gitterdone before IV comes out.

Actually kind of disappointed by IV having 3d models cos they don't look quite as good as the art they're based on. I liked the enemy sprites in the previous games and didn't care if they weren't animated. One of the things I've always liked about the EO series is that the battles are (provided you hold a button) relatively quick. The novelty of animated and/or 3D battles will wear off pretty quickly I imagine. I actually wish they'd invest more effort in the environments and make the dungeons look better rather than creating 3D models and animation for the enemies. Is it weird to say I think I'll miss those giant glowing mystery orbs that FOES and bosses were. Part of the fear instilled by seeing a FOE or boss orb was not knowing what the hell it was, until it was too late.

In the end, I don't really care if this looks like an up-jumped DS game or whatever other pajorative thing people will say about its visuals, I'll buy EOIV and it will kick my ass regardless. I likely won't bet it until V is announced.

[vareon]

It always seem to come down to a sequel being announced to motivate me to beat the previous entry in the series. I need to get back to EOIII and gitterdone before IV comes out.

I just continued my EOIII after months of not touching it. The game is more enjoyable with 1 hour per session.

[Etrian Oddity]

i am so happy right now

[LOCK]

I can live with these graphics.

[SatelliteOfLove]

They can just make the enemies even tougher to match!

That's a "To get rich, make lots of money" strategy, though. You hit walls earlier when you reduce the number of facets to tweak.

It always seem to come down to a sequel being announced to motivate me to beat the previous entry in the series. I need to get back to EOIII and gitterdone before IV comes out. Actually kind of disappointed by IV having 3d models cos they don't look quite as good as the art they're based on. I liked the enemy sprites in the previous games and didn't care if they weren't animated. One of the things I've always liked about the EO series is that the battles are (provided you hold a button) relatively quick. The novelty of animated and/or 3D battles will wear off pretty quickly I imagine. I actually wish they'd invest more effort in the environments and make the dungeons look better rather than creating 3D models and animation for the enemies. Is it weird to say I think I'll miss those giant glowing mystery orbs that FOES and bosses were. Part of the fear instilled by seeing a FOE or boss orb was not knowing what the hell it was, until it was too late. In the end, I don't really care if this looks like an up-jumped DS game or whatever other pajorative thing people will say about its visuals, I'll buy EOIV and it will kick my ass regardless. I likely won't beat it until V is announced.

This is one thing I'm surprised isn't mentioned, especially upon exploring new strata, "WTF is that coming at me? Is it the one I'm built to take or...?" The ambiguity, a minor facet, will be lost.