Beyond Old School: A Review

[Decavolty]

Straight out of the Cracker Barrel, and into the pages of the Nintendo Cult comes this, an homage to the old Pen and Paper RPGs of ... old. You know? The ones that you had to write down the map, piece by piece? And the map is secretly a poster that you yourself created on the wall?

Yeah, it's that kind of RPG. Fortunately this particular RPG combines touch screen functionality with old school elements.

Without further ado, our game today is:



Etrian Odyssey 2: Heroes of Lagaard
Moar Liek LagHARD amirite?

In this game, you organize a guild of 30 members (but only use a party of 5), and scale the Labyrinth until you find a mystical floating castle in the sky.

Fairly open ended concept, no?

Well, that's the point. It's purposely open ended. You literally create the party, with names, classes, etc. You can specialize each class to do different things, ie some mine and gather plants, the main team, backup, etc.

If you've ever played the first game, the difference between the first and this one is two new classes


The Gunner, and the War Magus

Backseat DPS, and a backup tank/healer. Not too bad, but other than that, it's probably the same as the original.


Judging by this screen of EO1, things havent changed much.

The touch screen is your map. It's always your map. You write on it, you make notes, place little markers wherever you deem necessary. The game automatically places a floor tile wherever you walk, but other than that, you're on your own. I had to even place the door tiles where they were.

As far as gameplay goes, it's incredibly open ended. As I said, you create your own people, but other than character portraits, you never see them. This game is completely first person.



Unlike most RPGs, where you simply want to play it to find out what happens next, this game makes grinding the entire point of the game. You gain levels, you go up the Labyrinth, you gain more levels. You try not to die. If your party of five dies, you're done. Game over.

So remember to save very often.

Your party consists of the following classes:


The Medic - looks like something out of Trauma Center. Wait, who published this game? Oh right. lol


The Protector - Think Paladin, without the holy magic. Quintessential tank.


Sometimes I feel like Jesse James Still trying to make a name....I mean...
Troubadour - The Bard. Surprisingly decent support class.

Without pictures:

The Alchemist - Think Full Metal, but only specialize in one element.

Hexer - They...hex. Derka Dur.

Survivalists - Archer

Ronin - Weeaboos....I mean.... Samurais. Or something. Straight up DPS

Landsknecht - Regular DPS. Better DPS than a protector, better defense than a ronin, and the ability to use axes.

Dark Hunter - Whips and Chains, baby

Beast - What do you think it is? Duh. It's not a class you have available right as you begin, but it's something that's there...

I'm telling you now, this game is NOT for the RPG novice. It's incredibly difficult. I havent even made it past the first part of the Labyrinth. There's this superhard boss blocking the way. D:

I'm not going to go all AVGN and say THIS GAME SUCKS ITS TOO ******** HARDBLARGHERRRRGHH.....but if you like easy games, this isnt one of them.

I give this a 8. A great way to relive the pen and paper games of old.  

[misternitsua]

Is this another one of those Rougelikes, like the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games or Chocobo's Dungeon?  

[The Betgirl]

Ok, so have you played Shining Soul 2? It's also made by Atlus. How close is this to it, if I might ask?  

[5ir Psycho 5exy]

A dungeon crawler?

That's actually challenging?

And you make your own map?

I think I just came.  

[Decavolty]

It's nothing like Shining Soul, Betty.

This game is more RPG than hack and slash. It's turn based.

LPS: Yes, yes, and no. You write the map, but you dont create the map. You just jot it down.

Misternitsua: No. Chocobo's Dungeon is closest, but still nothing like it.  

[KaizenRyuka]

I wanna get this even though I never finished the first one, its so fun to play even being epicly raped is ok. Well that and I know I'm to blame, I can never remember to save right away.

oh and are the Alchemists still your only hope of survival?  

[Decavolty]

You can always roll a gunner if you dont want an Alchemist.

Technically the docs are my means of survival. They've supposedly gotten some revamps. I wouldnt know as I didnt play the first one.

Current team is a Protector, Ronin, Landsneckt, Doc, and an Alchemist that I'll probably swap out for a Troubadour  

[5ir Psycho 5exy]

Decavolty

It's nothing like Shining Soul, Betty.

This game is more RPG than hack and slash. It's turn based.

LPS: Yes, yes, and no. You write the map, but you dont create the map. You just jot it down.

Misternitsua: No. Chocobo's Dungeon is closest, but still nothing like it.

Yeah, I meant make notes on the map like in PH. That was fun. heart

I'll probably get this if I see it on the shelves.  

[Syn of Sin]

I remember wanting to buy the first Etrian Odyssey, but never did because GameStop never had a copy in the stores, here. gonk  

[Decavolty]

I love the game. Being able to do just about anything with your party is an intriguing concept, and I wish more people cashed in on this idea.