Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth
- October 17, 2017
Etrian Odyssey V is a true successor to the original two Nintendo DS Etrian Odyssey games but one that has modern improvements to gameplay and a best in class customization system.
"Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth" is a single-player Role Playing game with good music, where you journey to the top of the Yggdrasil Tree to have your greatest wish fulfilled. Form your own party, personalize your characters, and prepare to test your mettle with challenging turn-based battles against dangerous creatures and terrifying FOEs. Discover what awaits you at the summit of the labyrinth.
Nintendo 3ds
Reviews
- The game features extensive character customization options, allowing players to change hair, skin, eye colors, and voices, enhancing the role-playing experience.
- The updated map system and engaging exploration mechanics, including the ability to draw maps, provide a satisfying and immersive gameplay experience.
- The combat system is challenging yet rewarding, with a variety of classes and skills that encourage strategic party building and gameplay.
- The absence of an overworld and the reliance on a single dungeon with multiple strata can make the game feel repetitive and less innovative compared to earlier titles.
- Some character designs lean towards fanservice, which may be uncomfortable for certain players, and the voice lines can become repetitive and annoying.
- The game can be punishingly difficult, especially in advanced mode, requiring grinding for specific enemies, which may deter some players.
- story27 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story in this game is generally considered secondary to its gameplay, with players focusing more on dungeon exploration and character customization than on narrative depth. While the storyline picks up towards the end and incorporates interesting sci-fi elements, it lacks the complexity found in some other entries in the series. Overall, the game offers engaging quests and events, but many players prioritize the challenging mechanics over the story itself.
“I am super thrilled with this game now, and have played it a long time since buying it without reaching the end of the story yet.”
“The story incorporates a sort of sci-fi type storyline near the end, which expands upon the entirety of the Etrian Odyssey universe to this point.”
“Interesting quests and lots of different events are scattered throughout the stratum, which can have a variety of good or bad effects depending on what you choose, and you can gain experience from these events.”
“It's a challenging, satisfying game that focuses on perfecting its core mechanics and essentially ignores all the story trimmings.”
“Most of the difficulty comes from not grinding, but there really is no story to propel you into continuing.”
“The story isn't amazing, but these have always been more about the gameplay than the story.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its challenging and satisfying mechanics, focusing on exploration, strategic combat, and DIY cartography, while largely sidelining the story. Players appreciate the balanced classes, new mechanics, and the engaging core loop, although some note that it remains similar to previous entries in the series. Overall, it is considered a standout RPG on the 3DS, with a strong emphasis on gameplay over narrative.
“It's a challenging, satisfying game that focuses on perfecting its core mechanics and essentially ignores all the story trimmings.”
“Etrian Odyssey V is a true successor to the original two Nintendo DS Etrian Odyssey games, but one that has modern improvements to gameplay and a best-in-class customization system.”
“Its addictive central gameplay loop combines engaging exploration, strategic combat, and DIY cartography, all wrapped up in a charming presentation and a lush, organic aesthetic.”
“Even though there are additions, there isn't anything that makes gameplay different.”
“[The grind gets pretty savage at times, gameplay is eerily similar to previous entries in the series, can’t overstate how hard this series is.]”
“The story isn't amazing, but these have always been more about the gameplay than the story.”
- music17 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful soundtrack, featuring a notable integration of jazzy tunes and prominent saxophone elements, enhancing the overall experience. While the voice acting quality varies, the sound and music design are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the inclusion of a soundtrack CD and art book in the edition. Overall, the music stands out as a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere.
“The soundtrack is beautiful, with the integration of more jazzy tunes than other games in the series, and prominent use of the saxophone.”
“The music, voice work, and graphics are quite nice.”
“This version came with a small booklet and CD including the game soundtrack, which is nice.”
“Not day one edition with art book and soundtrack as advertised.”
“Most important thing to note; the posting shows launch edition which includes an art book and soundtrack.”
“-- soundtrack is Etrian Odyssey as usual.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the charming presentation and variety in dungeon designs, others find the environmental visuals bland. The graphics are generally described as nice, complementing the engaging gameplay and story.
“The music, voice-work, and graphics are quite nice.”
“I love the gameplay and the story; also, the graphics are not bad and the game style is one of my favorites in the genre.”
“I like the variety in the dungeon's graphical design too.”
“I don't care for the visuals of the environments, and find them bland.”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The character development in the game features an updated design system that allows for extensive customization, including changes to hair, skin, eye color, and voices. However, some players find certain character designs to be overly fanservice-oriented, which can create discomfort. Overall, the art and character design remain a significant draw for many players.
“The updated character design system allows you to change hair color, skin color, eye color, and even voices.”
“The character development options are extensive and really enhance the overall experience.”
“More fanservice-y in certain character designs, which is a bit uncomfortable at times (in my opinion).”
“What had initially drawn me to it was the art and character design.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in this dungeon crawler to be tedious, with the game's difficulty stemming more from its lack of engaging story than from the grinding itself. The absence of grinding allows for a focus on strategy, which helps maintain the challenge throughout the gameplay.
“The grinding aspect can feel tedious at times, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment as you level up your character.”
“Grinding allows you to explore different strategies and builds, making each session feel rewarding.”
“While grinding can be repetitive, it offers a chance to fully immerse yourself in the game's mechanics and lore.”
“This game is what people call a dungeon crawler, and it is very tedious.”
“Most of the difficulty comes from not grinding, but there really is no story to propel you into continuing.”
“A legitimate demand for strategy and a lack of grinding ensures that the challenge never fades.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that optimization significantly enhances gameplay, making it easier to navigate challenges and engage with enemies effectively. Players who prioritize optimization report a more enjoyable experience, while those who neglect it may find the game more difficult and less engaging. Overall, optimized gameplay leads to a more rewarding exploration of level design and enemy interactions.
“If you don't optimize, it may be harder (I optimized, so I don't know exactly).”
“The enemies won't be quite as optimized to take advantage of each one's strength, and I found the level design on those far more interesting than this.”
“The enemies aren't optimized to take advantage of each one's strengths, and I found the level design in those areas far more interesting than this.”
“If you don't optimize, it may be harder to progress (I optimized, so I don't know exactly).”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the presence of creatively designed monsters, many of which have amusing names that add a lighthearted touch to the experience.
“The monster design is decent, and some of the monsters have hilarious names that really add to the humor of the game.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game kept me laughing and made the experience even more enjoyable.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its quests; the absurd situations and funny character interactions are a highlight!”
Critic Reviews
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Review
Etrian Odyssey V is a true successor to the original two Nintendo DS Etrian Odyssey games but one that has modern improvements to gameplay and a best in class customization system.
85%Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Review
Whether it’s your first foray into Yggdrasil or your fifth, playing Etrian Odyssey V is a true pleasure. Its addictive central gameplay loop combines engaging exploration, strategic combat and DIY cartography, all wrapped up in a charming presentation and a lush, organic aesthetic. It’s gorgeous to look at it, beautifully balanced, and polished to a sheen, but perhaps best of all Etrian Odyssey V feels like the culmination of a concept that’s uniquely tied to the 3DS. With its touchscreen mapping and masterful use of stereoscopic 3D, it feels utterly at home here, and while the little handheld may have plenty of life in it yet, we still can’t imagine a more fitting swan song for this extraordinary era of dual-screened RPG wonder. A must for any aspiring adventurer.
90%Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Review
Immersive, challenging, and personable, Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth on Nintendo 3DS is an excellent RPG that balances both difficulty and customisation with a considerable amount of care. Total freedom over what classes and races are in the party gives a clear identity to each play-through, and even if two guilds end up with the exact same party, skill trees and class changing ensure each character has their own individuality. Patience and preparation is the key to surviving Yggdrasil. A legitimate demand for strategy and a lack of grinding ensures that the challenge never fades. Light on story, heavy on gameplay, and more than enough content to wade through, this is one of the finest RPGs available on the 3DS.
90%
