The labyrinth is massive, spanning well over 25 floors. You’re able to map the dungeon on the DS’s touch screen, making note of doors, traps, and other points of interest as you go along. There are also a few particularly nasty beasts called FOEs that roam the labyrinth. Some need to be beaten, some are optional, and still others are dangerous enough that you’ll need to avoid them altogether. Even the regular enemies in EO can pack a punch, and if you carelessly waste resources fighting them, you’ll be mincemeat for a powerful FOE. Making things more perilous is the lack of save points, or even a quicksave feature. When your party is hurting and low on supplies, you’ll want to come up to the surface ASAP, since town is the only place to save the game. There’s nothing as nerve-wracking as trying to hightail it back to the inn with 3 dead party members and a FOE in pursuit.

Graphically, the labyrinth looks great. The field graphics consist of lush, well-rendered vegetation that doesn’t become tiresome on the eyes, even after long stretches of dungeon romping. Combat isn’t quite as visually appealing - while the enemies are well drawn and designed, the lack of any animation during combat comes as a disappointment. Etrian Odyssey also impresses in the music department, with songs ranging from old-school sounding combat anthems to soft, ambient exploration songs. Further establishing the game’s mood is its wealth of text. The dialogue is written like there’s a Dungeon Master sitting next to you, vividly describing your surroundings and encounters as you go. It all adds up to create a distinct gameplay setting that’s a refreshing change of pace from the modern RPG norm.