A journey... into the past.
By PaulEMoz

Cast your mind back twenty years or so, to the days of the first fledgling computer RPGs. They were grid-based affairs, which meant that every Wednesday you'd steal a sheaf of graph paper from your maths lesson so that you could map the playing area. You'd trundle around towns and dungeons, and every now and then some townies or beasties would pop onto your screen, informing you that they were about to belt you stupid. After they had done this, you'd trundle off to the local miracle worker, who would bring your dead party members back to life, so that you could go and repeat the cycle. Eventually, you'd get to the point where this happened less often, and you'd venture into more threatening territory, confident of eventual success, until months later, you'd finally win.

Ahhh, memories. They'll all be dead as soon as they set foot out the door.

I've just described something like The Bard's Tale. I've also just described Etrian Odyssey. It's the kind of back-to-basics old-school RPG that seems to have been missing for years. This is the kind of RPG I cut my adventuring teeth on, and have found harder and harder to come by over the years.

There is a difference. You won't need to break into your old school for a fresh supply of graph paper. The premise of Etrian Odyssey is that your group of adventurers have volunteered to map the nearby Yggdrasil Labyrinth for the town of Etria. And isn't it handy that the DS has a touch screen? Because you use this to record your every move.

The mapping tool. Yes, you can draw a cock. No, it won't help.

The mapping feature is actually really good. In addition to simply being able to draw the actual map, the game gives you plenty of icons to use, which you drag onto the map in the appropriate positions. You can also write short memos at key points, either for your own reference or for the wise men of Radha Hall, to whom you must report your findings.

An interesting feature of Etrian Odyssey is the way that, if you've got the patience, you can create a squad, rather than a party. You can only take five out at a time, but if you so wish you can have a member for each character class, and leave a few sitting in the Explorers Guild. Then, depending on how you feel or what you may know you're likely to face, you can swap out party members for others more suited to the job. It may take longer to get everyone levelled up this way, but it adds yet more depth to the way you can play the game, if you choose.

Now really, should you be letting a guy called Ken play with fire?

It's worth experimenting with these different characters too, because Etrian Odyssey will give you the mother of all arse-kickings. In keeping with the old-school similarities, this game is rock hard. Any below-strength characters will quickly be found wanting. Completing a level and strengthening characters breeds confidence, but you'll soon find that, having ventured boldly down another level with a swagger, you're only too quickly limping back out of there, dragging the corpses of fallen party members with you.

Well, that's lunch sorted. Who brought the drinks?

It really is that hard, and yet, it's very compulsive, and it's definitely a game that will keep your DS from gathering dust. There are untold hours of gaming in this one, meaning it's a very welcome release, even if it is currently only available as an import. That said, if you've grown up on Final Fantasy and the like, this may be a step too far into the Wilderness. However, if you're the type of person that still possesses your twenty-year-old hand-drawn map of Staff of Karnath, then Etrian Odyssey will be right up your alley, next door to Redbeard's House of Fine Ales and Dungeon Tales.

2007

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