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Etrian Odyssey Untold demo hitting NA 3DS eShop on Sept 16

The demo basically covers the first 2-3 hours of the game. You'll get to explore the first two floors and a small part of the third floor of the main labyrinth; and you'll get to explore part of a floor of another dungeon.

Hold the phone, why haven't I heard about this yet...another dungeon? There was only one dungeon in EO1. Even if there's just mini-dungeons like in EO4 that's still something of interest.

As much as EO1 is my favorite, I burned out just short of beating EO4, so I'm looking for any tidbits like this that might sell me on the remake sooner rather than later.
 
Played this today for about an hour and half while at the eye doctor, I'm assuming the hardest difficulty is suppose to be the real normal as normal sounds too easy.

This is what I found strange. Normal mode was really easy. I think I spent most of the demo auto-battling everything, which was something I couldn't do in EO4.
 
Hold the phone, why haven't I heard about this yet...another dungeon? There was only one dungeon in EO1. Even if there's just mini-dungeons like in EO4 that's still something of interest.

As much as EO1 is my favorite, I burned out just short of beating EO4, so I'm looking for any tidbits like this that might sell me on the remake sooner rather than later.

They are special story dungeons. Not sure if they're in classic mode too.

BTW who's doing the OT for this?
 
Expert is really easy until the training wheels leave you then it feels normal.

Did anyone else notice that this time around this game is actually in real 3D? I don't intend to use 3D all the time but it was annoying that IV was "fake 3D".

Even the 2D village artwork is 3D!
 
Hold the phone, why haven't I heard about this yet...another dungeon? There was only one dungeon in EO1. Even if there's just mini-dungeons like in EO4 that's still something of interest.

As much as EO1 is my favorite, I burned out just short of beating EO4, so I'm looking for any tidbits like this that might sell me on the remake sooner rather than later.

Yeah, there's the main dungeon Yggdrasil, and in the demo you briefly explore another dungeon called Gladsheim. Another interesting tidbit is the floor layouts are completely new. Also, once you finish mapping a floor accurately, you can warp to the staircases.

I don't like it. It's EO, but with all the stuff that wasn't in EO that made me love EO in the first place added in.

STFU, NPC characters.

:(

Yeah, it's kind of interesting how Untold is doing the opposite of the series' traditions. Untold is a story-driven RPG with pre-made team members who have personalities and backstories and like to talk.
The other EOs have very little story, your team is a blank slate that you can customize completely, and you just focus on fighting and exploring the dungeon, with little dialogue getting in the way.

Anyways, I still like that Untold is doing something new and different with the series. There's always classic mode if you want a more traditional EO game.
 
I think I've finally found the EO game for me! I'm playing the demo now and I'm enjoying it much more than past EO games I've tried. I like that the story mode has characters already set so that I don't get confused by which class is better for what and that there is an auto-map option. I may have to buy this game despite my huge 3ds backlog.

Question, for the final game is there a level limit? Or can I just keep fighting and leveling up to learn all the skills?
 
Played until after the new story dungeon, can't say I'm enjoying the story mode. I hate how they constantly have to say something in the dungeons, the story itself seems to be pretty boring and I don't really like the new music (at least you can select the old music in the full game). Also didn't like how they assist you on your first mission.
But Classic mode as an update on EO1 should be great.

No multiple saves.

Is there at least one save slot per mode or do I have to decide which one I want to play?
 
Man, the gameplay/dungeon speed enhancements are so good.

My playtime is gonna be cut down at least 1/3rd because of the improvements, and man are they oh so welcome.
 
Played until after the new story dungeon, can't say I'm enjoying the story mode. I hate how they constantly have to say something in the dungeons, the story itself seems to be pretty boring and I don't really like the new music (at least you can select the old music in the full game). Also didn't like how they assist you on your first mission.
But Classic mode as an update on EO1 should be great.



Is there at least one save slot per mode or do I have to decide which one I want to play?

1 slot in total. Yes you have to overwrite your previous save if you start a new mode. That's why I'm thinking to rush through Story mode first to unlock the new classes before doing an Expert Classic run.
 
Just finished until the end of the demo, and I must say I'm actually liking the Story mode. Kind of a different experience but still has the same feel of an EO game. Everyone is also at Lv10 and I'm loving the new gameplay additions and the Floor Jump feature is very very helpful. Can't wait for the full game, though I think I'll only be able to play the Story Mode since Pokemon will come out the week after.
 
Wait, you unlock new classes for Classic mode by beating the Story mode?

Yeah, the classes belonging to the hero and heroine of the story mode are unique to them and unlock in Classic mode after story mode has been beaten.

Anyway, I managed to hit the storage cap on my SD card, so I finally have an excuse not to download the demo, but I've put my pre-order in with Amazon. Cannot wait.
 
Yeah, the classes belonging to the hero and heroine of the story mode are unique to them and unlock in Classic mode after story mode has been beaten.

Anyway, I managed to hit the storage cap on my SD card, so I finally have an excuse not to download the demo, but I've put my pre-order in with Amazon. Cannot wait.

That's lame... what are they like? Hope they're boring and stupid cause I'm leaning toward classic mode.
 
So, would you have bought it if Atlus hadn't released any demo at all?

I was hesitating. But now that they only showed me the new story mode (which I don't really like because it ruined many of the aspects I used to love), I'm sure that I won't appreciate this new mode.

I will wait to read the impression of people who play the classic mode before buying it.

That's lame... what are they like? Hope they're boring and stupid cause I'm leaning toward classic mode.

The hero's class is pretty cool actually. It's a kind of Landsknecht with spears and who can heal by beating enemies.
 
That's lame... what are they like? Hope they're boring and stupid cause I'm leaning toward classic mode.

Hero's class is a lightly-armored spear wielder, the heroine's class is the Gunner. All characters, even in Classic mode, can be augmented with abilities from other classes, but I'm not sure if the new classes count for that.

Oh, also, all of the EO 1 classes are available from the start. No need to wait for Stratum III or IV for your Ronins and Hexers. Might do a non-standard party this time....
 
Hrm torn. Do I want a class I'd otherwise not have access too+story, but be restricted in my freedom... or do I want full freedom with no story hampering me down... but missing classes. HRMMM
 
Finally had some time with the demo. Some thoughts:

1. The dialogue is already making me cringe. At least the VO seems better than what I heard from the story trailer. And I finally know how to pronounce Tlachtga.

2. Highlander's skills are very HP based, and seems a cool idea for a class (one that mostly relies on HP instead of MP for big attacks). He lacks a big damage skill though, but Head Pierce seems crazy. Chance to bind and/or instant kill? Shit.

3. Looks like the skill trees for the old classes remain mostly the same. Ronins still have to rely on Stances, which basically destroyed their usefulness in the first game. Meh. I was hoping they would add some kind of Auto-Stance skill or something.

4. I still don't like the Highlander's design.

5. RIP Trauma Center.

Wait, you unlock new classes for Classic mode by beating the Story mode?

Technically you just unlock the main hero and heroine for Classic, since they do not have additional portraits. But yeah, they become available after beating Story Mode once.

Edit: Redhead, Doctor, Young Boy, and Odd Girl are my favorite new party members.
 
I finished the demo. Seemed shorter than the EO4 one.
The story mode feels like it keeps most of the EO feel, and will probably be a great introduction to newcomers. I'll probably play through it first once I get the game, just for a change of pace. The game is very polished, too.

No more Hoffman, though. Atlus won't even reference Trauma Center anymore. ;_;
 
Technically you just unlock the main hero and heroine for Classic, since they do not have additional portraits. But yeah, they become available after beating Story Mode once.

Well that's lame. Interest in having the new classes for clasic = 0.

Edit: Redhead, Doctor, Young Boy, and Odd Girl are my favorite new party members.

Missed opportunity to reference Fight and Heal
 
I want to want this. But feels like more of the same, with few innovations over the last title. Pretty easy pass unless you're a big follower I suppose.

Don't know how anyone can have time for this game with both Pokemon X/Y and Rune Factory 4 coming in the same window.
 
I want to want this. But feels like more of the same, with few innovations over the last title. Pretty easy pass unless you're a big follower I suppose.

Don't know how anyone can have time for this game with both Pokemon X/Y and Rune Factory 4 coming in the same window.

That's easy, I dont play Rune factory so I think "Don't know how anyone can have time for this game with both Pokemon X/Y and Etrian coming in the same window"

Then again I should try new things, I'll check out that game later this year
 
I want to want this. But feels like more of the same, with few innovations over the last title. Pretty easy pass unless you're a big follower I suppose.

Don't know how anyone can have time for this game with both Pokemon X/Y and Rune Factory 4 coming in the same window.

I don't have time, but I will have all the games. They...look nice on my shelf, I think. I think I'll start Etrian in 2014 though, unless there's a surprise Bravely Default bomb. Either way they already got my money!
 
5. RIP Trauma Center.

Now I know why something feels off with the game. I was thinking if something was "missing" from the game since they added the Mansion

I want to want this. But feels like more of the same, with few innovations over the last title. Pretty easy pass unless you're a big follower I suppose.

Don't know how anyone can have time for this game with both Pokemon X/Y and Rune Factory 4 coming in the same window.

I want Rune Factory 4 but I'll choose this over that. Also, I personally believe that this game can be beaten before Pokemon releases, its like 10 days and its more than enough imo. IIRC, I was able to finish EOIV in a week or so, and that was on and off since I was busy during that time, and another week to 100% the game.
 
Went and dug out my copy of EO1 and looks like they did change up the skills trees quite a bit. Most of the important skills still remained the same, but some stuff are different. For example, Alchemists loses poison for new elemental skills akin to EO4's 1st lvl runes. Medics now only have 1 lvl each of heal and salve, and gain some status effect spells, like poison and paralysis. Protectors, however, seem to have made the jump pretty much unchanged.

Funny thing is Ricky is pretty much ripped straight out of EO2's Gunner class, unchanged.

Missed opportunity to reference Fight and Heal

IKR
 
Went and dug out my copy of EO1 and looks like they did change up the skills trees quite a bit. Most of the important skills still remained the same, but some stuff are different. For example, Alchemists loses poison for new elemental skills akin to EO4's 1st lvl runes. Medics now only have 1 lvl each of heal and salve, and gain some status effect spells, like poison and paralysis. Protectors, however, seem to have made the jump pretty much unchanged.

Funny thing is Ricky is pretty much ripped straight out of EO2's Gunner class, unchanged.



IKR

Skill trees seem to have been rebalanced because some classes were completely broken in the original.
That's the only good point I noticed in the demo.
 
Can't say too much about it, but the story character dialogue lessens out somewhat as you get further in the game once you get to the second stratum (it shifts more to using it in the new dungeon), so for those worried about that you don't have to be.
 
If you play story mode, is there some point in story mode where you can change the classes of the story characters? I don't care about names or portraits or anything, but if I can eventually, say, change the alchemist to be a dark hunter then I could see playing through story mode.

And if you can change their class, at what level can you do that and what are the consequences?

edit: And is there subclassing? I'm assuming no and that this grimoire thing replaces that conept.
 
3d effect is definitely improved over EO4. Just far cleaner and gives a better sense of looking through a window into a world than the somewhat baked depth in the last game. I was immediately impressed by it entering the dungeon.

Wish I knew my main was a male before naming. I assumed I could choose. Gonna have to restart to fix that.

And man the intro dungeon is a cakewalk having two lv 33 npcs tagging along in story mode.
 
Anyone know how Grimoire Synthesis works? I tried a few combinations, and couldn't get anything useful out of it.

Also, where can I get Pyroxene? I've only found 1 at a dead end on the first floor.
 
If you play story mode, is there some point in story mode where you can change the classes of the story characters? I don't care about names or portraits or anything, but if I can eventually, say, change the alchemist to be a dark hunter then I could see playing through story mode.

And if you can change their class, at what level can you do that and what are the consequences?

edit: And is there subclassing? I'm assuming no and that this grimoire thing replaces that conept.

Not sure when it's available (only noticed it recently near the end of the game, not sure when it unlocked), but you can change the class, although I think the portrait stays the same. Dunno if it resets the levels, I haven't tried it yet.

Subclassing is done via the grimoire stones. And there's the "reset two levels to be able to reallocate stats" option from EOIV.

Anyone know how Grimoire Synthesis works? I tried a few combinations, and couldn't get anything useful out of it.

Also, where can I get Pyroxene? I've only found 1 at a dead end on the first floor.

First two stones allow you to choose from their skills. Can't remember off the top of my head if the third is useless or if it's used to boost the stone's level.
 
Not sure when it's available (only noticed it recently near the end of the game, not sure when it unlocked), but you can change the class, although I think the portrait stays the same. Dunno if it resets the levels, I haven't tried it yet.

Subclassing is done via the grimoire stones. And there's the "reset two levels to be able to reallocate stats" option from EOIV.



First two stones allow you to choose from their skills. Can't remember off the top of my head if the third is useless or if it's used to boost the stone's level.
I got my answer elsewhere, which is that at level 30 you can transfer them into another class. It sounds largely useless, however, because they keep their original stats and growths. So if I were to change the alchemist into a dark hunter, it would be a dark hunter with terrible strength and high tec. Blech.

So I get to weigh how much I like highlander and gunner vs how much I despise alchemist and medic.
 
Played the demo, it's not bad. I think it successfully accomplishes what Atlus wanted to do, which was make a more accessible, easier and story-driven Etrian Odyssey. It's waaaay too easy on Normal, even once the training wheels come off and you're rolling with your full party. You can simply auto-battle so many encounters with little to no penalty. For my tastes there's simply too much talking and too many cinematics. I also don't find the characters or what we've seen of the story in the demo all that appealing, endearing or interesting (at least it wasn't the main character with amnesia). I think I'd play through the story mode just to experience it but I would immediately roll through Classic mode to beat EO1 again.

Love how Atlus is handling their demos though, you get to not only sample a game but also carry the progress over to the final product, which is absolutely brilliant.
 
I was originally going to play Story mode quickly and then Classic on Expert for a 100% run but after playing the demo I'm thinking of just skipping Story mode. There is so much dialogue and worst of all there are even more non-questions. One my pet peeves is stupid choice moments where you really have no choice because either the game will just loop until you pick the "right" answer or your input makes no difference.

I decided to restart after getting the main team and picked the opposite choices and it made no difference as far as I can tell. I know there are more significant choices in the Story
like choosing not to murder the forest people
but this game doesn't have some party loyalty system right? Don't give me the choice if you don't want me to choose. At least they added the option to hold Y to just zoom past dialogue and skip cutscenes.

Also the game has been very easy. The first mission you can just auto battle through everything thanks to your overpowered party members. It was sad when I ran into the tough enemy on the first floor that's meant to be an "oh fuck" moment in other EO games and having the Ronin utterly destroy it in one hit. EOIV did something similar and I'm hoping this isn't the trend for the series. It's also annoying that despite picking Expert, the game felt like it had to guide me by the nose through that first significant fight with your team, going as far as to explicitly tell me the weakness of the enemy and what attacks to pick. I stopped soon after that and it'll probably let me into the game proper soon but my party already feels fairly overpowered.

I haven't gotten far enough to see the grimoire system or even really explore the skill trees but getting attack skills for free is not necessarily bad, just kinda weird I guess. Looking through some the skills there were a few that looked interesting like Cover Fire. It'll probably be outclassed fairly quickly as it wont heal much but I like the idea of not attacking being useful after playing SMTIV.

The only thing that's keeping me from skipping Story mode is that the Highlander is actually an interesting class and I'm worried about missing bosses/enemies in the Story mode only dungeon. The incomplete compendium would annoy me.
 
Yeah, the classes belonging to the hero and heroine of the story mode are unique to them and unlock in Classic mode after story mode has been beaten.

Anyway, I managed to hit the storage cap on my SD card, so I finally have an excuse not to download the demo, but I've put my pre-order in with Amazon. Cannot wait.

Ewwww

Played the demo, it's not bad. I think it successfully accomplishes what Atlus wanted to do, which was make a more accessible, easier and story-driven Etrian Odyssey. It's waaaay too easy on Normal, even once the training wheels come off and you're rolling with your full party. You can simply auto-battle so many encounters with little to no penalty. For my tastes there's simply too much talking and too many cinematics. I also don't find the characters or what we've seen of the story in the demo all that appealing, endearing or interesting (at least it wasn't the main character with amnesia). I think I'd play through the story mode just to experience it but I would immediately roll through Classic mode to beat EO1 again.

Love how Atlus is handling their demos though, you get to not only sample a game but also carry the progress over to the final product, which is absolutely brilliant.

Ewwwwwwww.

It continues to astound me how devs, even the great Atlus fail to utilize difficulty modes properly. And this is a PERFECT opportunity to teach up newbies unused to fending for themselves and self-betterment. Imagine, no bullshit mulligans in Normal when you fuck up. Grown-ass man damage from all FOEs in Normal, no easy route to OP skills like Immunize in Ex...oh wait, EO1, haha. :P
 
Skill trees seem to have been rebalanced because some classes were completely broken in the original.
That's the only good point I noticed in the demo.

Immunize was broken only because of the way the game calculated damage reduction, which should be fixed given this game uses EO3 & 4's mechanics. Otherwise, the classes were fairly well balanced, only some skills like Relaxing being overpowered due to being the only way (other than Amaritas) to recover TP and Poison being too powerful at lower lvls. It was more like binds in EO1 being too weak and some classes being underpowered.

But I do like most of the changes. They gave Medics something else to do other than heal and Immunize, and Alchemists get some cool nullification skills.
 
Hate the medic and the alchemist boy. Wish there was one of each class that you'd change from time to time like final fantasy where mid game you get have all of them unlocked.

Not sure If I'll play classic or story but I'll beat 4 first.

What's up with choosing normal you pansies.
 
Yeah, the medic and the alchemist are kind of annoying, but OMG the protector (Raqunda) is so cool. She likes to drink and she's from Ontario, a place of cold winters and maple trees.

I continued playing the demo, and Raqunda's dad sent an ice cream maker and some ingredients to our guild house. We worked together to make maple syrup ice cream. Fucking awesome.

I'm totally playing through story mode so I can hang out with Raqunda. She's my bro.
 
While I doubt that I'll reach it, that 30 play limit still baffles me. I cannot fathom why Nintendo even felt the need to implement play limits with 3DS applications. If it's a proper demo, the limited content will get people to buy the full game.
 
As soon as you get the full party on the dugeon, you realise how hard the enemies hit, they are taking more than half the hp of my Protector in one hit at level 5-6. Still, my party can generally kill them before they kill me.

While I doubt that I'll reach it, that 30 play limit still baffles me. I cannot fathom why Nintendo even felt the need to implement play limits with 3DS applications. If it's a proper demo, the limited content will get people to buy the full game.

There are some games where it makes sense, I downloaded the Theathrythm demo early so I got infinite uses and that's enough for me, dont need the full game.
For etrian I dont see why you would put a limit.
 
thoughts but I only played for an hour.

-Frederica's pretty moe. She might have blown up from embarrassment if I put two hands on her shoulders instead of one
-music is amazing. And that's with the crap quality the demo has. Full version will be glorious
-dungeons are frikkin' big
-wow the menus are even better than EOIV's. Can't believe it dey dun dis. Give the UI a round of applause
-Raquna is my waifu

That's that. Will play more laturr.
 
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