Message #331974

[Magical Girl Mimi]

Mid-game Review:

Etrian Odyssey IV

Story: The story, surprisingly, isn't the most important part for this RPG. In it, you're a traveler, headed to a giant tree named Yggdrasil. To do so, you need to get in an airship, and fly across different lands, heading into dungeons, and doing stuff. It isn't the most complex plot; but for this game, it works. I'm not gonna say much more, partly because I haven't experienced everything, and partly because I dislike spoiling stuff as much as the next guy. =P 8/10

Graphics: The graphics are pretty cool; the environments are pretty well thought up, and while not pushing the capabilities, the graphics themselves are pretty good. It's also a mailbox style Turn Based RPG, so you're fighting in a screen that's first person, basically, with a shot of your character to the side of the menu when it's their turn. 8/10

Music: This music is awesome. if you don't believe me, go listen to some of the boss music, especially the ones for the sub-bosses. That theme is just pure awesomeness, and really gets you pumped up for the fight. ^_^

Gameplay: This is where the game shines. From first glance, it looks like your typical Dragon Quest-style adventure; hit a button, hit the enemy, repeat. Of course, then you level up, and find you can choose what skills you want to get, when, with some restrictions. Then you advance in the story and find out you can get awesome burst skills, which can easily turn the tide, not unlike Limit Breaks from Final fantasy. Then you realize you can get sub classes for your party. Oh; but before all that, you stare in awe, as you realize you can make your own freaking party. Choose from, I'd say, 9-12 different classes, select one of four portraits(Which have two colour schemes each), and name them whatever you want. You can even have five people the same on your party; but I recommend having a lot of variation, and especially a Medic. Medics are amazing here.

Of course, I haven't even gotten to the caves and dungeons yet. They're all maze-like, and explored in first person mode... But; you don't have to wander around aimlessly, as it has an awesome map system. Find a secret? Mark it with an icon. Wanna backtrack? Map out the way, and mark it with arrows. Wanna streamline grinding(Yes, there is some grinding. If you can't do something, you likely just need to train more.)? Auto-pilot can help you there. Also, for battles, there's an auto-fight ability, which can either just help with not having to select 'fight' all the time for normal fights, or can pretty much reduce grinding to hitting L and A at odd times, while you browse a site.

I would not hesitate to call this one of the best dungeon crawlers I've seen. =) 10/10

DLC: There is none, but there are QR codes that Atlus has released, that basically act as free on-disc DLC, in a way. Emphasis on free. =P 10/10

Overall: This game is awesome. No, wait, this game is PURE awesomeness. Go get it if you can find it. 9/10

And yes, I forgot to review all the Sonic games, but that's partly because I got all the Sonic games. CD's review is coming whenever I actually drop my OCD-ness regarding it, and just finish it without worrying about Time Stones. =P