Etrian Mystery Dungeon

The game features the character customization and character class system from the Etrian Odyssey series, and the dungeon crawling from the Mystery Dungeon series; the player's party, which is made up of custom-made characters, ventures into randomly generated multi-floor dungeons, with the objective to reach the end of each dungeon. Only the party leader is directly controlled by the player, while the other characters follow along, attacking enemies and providing support. The game is turn-based; each time the player performs an action, including moving one space on the map, attacking, or using an item, enemies will also move or attack.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/11/etrian-odyssey-mystery-dungeon-first-details|title=Etrian Odyssey and the Mystery Dungeon first details|first=Thomas|last=James|work=Gematsu|date=November 26, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2015}} When the player's party is not engaged in combat, each turn the party makes will make the characters' health regenerate a little, but will also make their hunger go up.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/01/etrian-mystery-dungeon-clips-showcase-wanderer-class-turn-based-battles|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon clips showcase Wanderer class, turn-based battles|first=Sal|last=Romano|work=Gematsu|date=January 8, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

There are various classes to choose from during character creation, which determine the characters' roles in the party: for instance, the Protector class has a high defense stat and is capable of attracting the attention from enemies who might otherwise attack the other characters,{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/01/etrian-mystery-dungeon-trailer-introduces-protector-class|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon trailer introduces Protector class|first=Sal|last=Romano|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|work=Gematsu}} the Medic class is capable of healing or reviving wounded characters,{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/02/etrian-mystery-dungeon-trailer-introduces-medic-class|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon trailer introduces Medic class|first=Sal|last=Romano|date=February 5, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|work=Gematsu}} and the Gunner class specializes in ranged attacks and is capable of "binding" enemies' body parts, thereby hindering them from moving or attacking.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/02/etrian-mystery-dungeon-trailer-introduces-gunner-class|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon trailer introduces Gunner class|first=Sal|last=Romano|date=February 5, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|work=Gematsu}}

If the player gets a game over, their party is sent back to the town outside the dungeons; additionally, the player loses all their in-game money and items. However, if the player has set up a manned fortress in the dungeon, they can attempt to lead the characters from the fortress to the fallen party, and attempt to rescue them.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/04/06/etrian-mystery-dungeon-playtest-d-o-e-s-bring-it-all-together/ |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Playtest: D.O.E.s Bring It All Together |author=Laura |date=April 6, 2015 |publisher=Siliconera |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

Some enemies, referred to as D.O.E.s, are much stronger than normal enemies, and will attempt to escape the dungeon and attack the town outside. If they succeed, the player will get a game over, and certain facilities in the town will be destroyed and rendered unusable by the player for some time; it is up to the player to protect the town by fighting these enemies. When doing so, the player may set up various kinds of fortresses, some of which will buff the party's stats.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/01/30/etrian-mystery-dungeon-shows-fight-off-d-o-e-monsters/|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Shows How To Fight Off D.O.E. Monsters|author=Sato|work=Siliconera|date=January 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}} These fortresses can either be left empty, or be manned by the player's characters. Even empty fortresses can be used as a way of protecting the town from D.O.E.s; if the D.O.E. manages to destroy a fortress, it will stop its attempt at reaching the town, and return to the bottom floor of the dungeon.

The game was developed by Spike Chunsoft and Atlus, the developers of the Mystery Dungeon and Etrian Odyssey series, respectively, with most of the actual development done at Spike Chunsoft, while Atlus acted as supervisors. The game was directed by Yukari Yokoro and Seiichiro Nagahata, and produced by Shigeo Komori. Background designs were handled by Nizo Yamamoto, while character design was split between Kaoru Hasegawa who designed the character classes, and Shin Nagasawa who designed the enemies; additionally, some character designs from previous Etrian Odyssey games, done by Yuji Himukai, were brought back for Etrian Mystery Dungeon.{{cite web|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/finding-balance-in-etrian-mystery-dungeon|title=Finding Balance in Etrian Mystery Dungeon|first=Jeremy|last=Parish|work=USGamer|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-date=March 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328235627/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/finding-balance-in-etrian-mystery-dungeon|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.atlus.com/etrianmd/introduction.html |title=STAFF |publisher=Atlus USA |access-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317000628/http://www.atlus.com/etrianmd/introduction.html |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}

During development, both the companies would continuously share their most recent data on a shared server, and discuss details of the game direction using an instant messaging program; additionally, they would hold weekly meetings during which they made various arrangements for the game, and every month during development, Spike Chunsoft would send their latest playable build to Atlus, who would check the direction the game was going in.

Character classes that were brought in from the two series had to be carefully considered in order to maintain game balance and to avoid overlap with other classes; for instance, the Gunner class was chosen to be the "ranged attacker" class of the game rather than the similar Survivalist class—a class introduced in the first Etrian Odyssey game—as the Survivalists in addition to their ranged attacks have several skills that assist with dungeon exploration, and thus would overlap with the abilities of the Wanderer class - a class based on the player character in the Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer series. Another class that was considered for the "ranged attacker" role was the Arbalist—a class from Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City—but due to its high damage output it would have been very difficult to balance the game had it been included. Another factor in choosing the Gunner was that it already was a popular class in the Etrian Odyssey series, and had been made into figurines in Japan.

Atlus USA, the American subsidiary of Atlus, began work on an English localization of the game before development had finished, resulting in an English release only a month after the original Japanese release. According to an interview with Atlus USA localization editor Nich Maragos and PR manager John Hardin, this was "kind of a hassle" because of the risk of having to redo localization work as the developers make changes to the game, but ultimately worth it since they could release the game in English much sooner than had they waited for development to finish.{{cite web |url=http://www.godisageek.com/2015/04/atlus-interview-localisation-special/ |title=Atlus Interview: Localisation, Localisation, Localisation |last1=Madnani |first1=Mikhail |date=April 6, 2015 |publisher=God is a Geek |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

The game's score was composed and arranged by Yuzo Koshiro, with Takeshi Yanagawa arranging an additional 10 tracks. In addition to new compositions, the soundtrack also includes arranged music from previous Etrian Odyssey games.{{cite web |url=http://www.vgmonline.net/yuzo-koshiro-helms-etrian-mystery-dungeon-etrian-odyssey-v/ |title=Yuzo Koshiro helms Etrian Mystery Dungeon, Etrian Odyssey V |last1=Kotowski |first1=Don |date=December 4, 2014 |publisher=Game Music Online |access-date=April 7, 2015}} An original soundtrack release, titled Sekaiju to Fushigi no Dungeon Original Sound Track, was published by 5pb. Records and released in Japan on April 22, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201504/03075873.html |script-title=ja:『世界樹と不思議のダンジョン』 オリジナル・サウンドトラックのジャケットイラストと収録内容が公開 |language=ja |date=April 3, 2015 |publisher=Famitsu |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

The game was released by Atlus on March 5, 2015, in Japan,{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/02/heres-what-etrian-mystery-dungeons-first-print-bonus-in-japan-includes/|title=Here's What Etrian Mystery Dungeon's First Print Bonus In Japan Includes|author=Sato|work=Siliconera|date=March 2, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2015}} and on April 7 in North America.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/15/etrian-mystery-dungeon-release-date-revealed|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Release Date Revealed|first=Jordan|last=Sirani|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=January 31, 2015|work=IGN}} The game was published in Europe by NIS America on September 11.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/05/etrian-mystery-dungeon-devil-survivor-2-record-breaker-dated-europe |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon and Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker dated for Europe |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=May 28, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2015|work=Gematsu}}

The first print of the Japanese release came bundled with a copy of an Etrian Mystery Dungeon themed issue of Marukatsu Super Famicom—a Japanese video game magazine that had not been in print since its final issue 23 years previously—titled Marukatsu Super Famicom 2015 Revival Edition, including 52 pages of information and artwork related to the game, as well as a soundtrack CD with six songs from the game. Similarly, the first print of the North American release came with a set of bonus items titled "The Sights and Sounds of Mystery", which includes a soundtrack CD with rearranged versions of six songs from the game; a 28-page book with artwork from the game as well as information intended to help the player with forming their party in the game; and a box that holds the game and the items.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/01/23/atlus-announces-pre-order-bonuses-for-etrian-mystery-dungeon.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126000542/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/01/23/atlus-announces-pre-order-bonuses-for-etrian-mystery-dungeon.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=January 26, 2015|title=Atlus Announces Pre-Order Bonuses For Etrian Mystery Dungeon|first=Brian|last=Shea|magazine=Game Informer|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/01/26/heres-whats-inside-first-print-copies-of-etrian-mystery-dungeon/|title=Here's What's Inside First-Print Copies Of Etrian Mystery Dungeon|author=Ishaan|date=January 26, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015|work=Siliconera}}

Players of the North American version were able to get five pieces of downloadable content for free during the first month following the game's release. Since the end of that period, the content is available for purchase for players who did not download it during the first month.{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2015/03/etrian-mystery-dungeon-getting-month-of-free-dlc|title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon getting month of free DLC|first=Sal|last=Romano|work=Gematsu|date=March 19, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 77 of 100

| GI = 8 of 10{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/etrian_mystery_dungeon/b/3ds/archive/2015/04/06/randomized-familiar-fun.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407091206/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/etrian_mystery_dungeon/b/3ds/archive/2015/04/06/randomized-familiar-fun.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon - Randomized Familiar Fun |last1=Tack |first1=Daniel |date=April 6, 2015 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

| GameRev = 4.5 of 5{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/etrian-mystery-dungeon |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Review |last1=Schaller |first1=Kevin |date=April 5, 2015 |publisher=Game Revolution |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

| Destruct = 8 of 10{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-etrian-mystery-dungeon-289800.phtml |title=Same old dungeon, lighthearted new feel |last1=Carter |first1=Chris |date=April 6, 2015 |website=Destructoid |access-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407091557/http://www.destructoid.com/review-etrian-mystery-dungeon-289800.phtml |url-status=dead }}

| Fam = 34 of 40 (8, 8, 9, 9)

| GSpot = 7 of 10{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/etrian-mystery-dungeon-review/1900-6416089/ |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Review |last1=Renaudin |first1=Josiah |date=April 6, 2015 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 8, 2015}}

| EGM = 7.5 of 10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/etrian-mystery-dungeon-review/ |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon review |last1=Fitch |first1=Andrew |date=April 6, 2015 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |access-date=April 8, 2015}}

| NLife = {{rating|8|10}}{{Cite web |last=Sleeper |first=Morgan |date=April 6, 2015 |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Review (3DS) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/etrian_mystery_dungeon |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Nintendo Life}}

| rev1 = VentureBeat

| rev1Score = 95 of 100{{cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/04/06/etrian-mystery-dungeon-doubles-down-on-its-dungeon-crawling-roots-review/ |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon doubles down on its dungeon-crawling roots |last1=North |first1=Dale |date=April 6, 2015 |work=VentureBeat |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

| rev2 = God is a Geek

| rev2Score = 8.5 of 10{{cite web |url=http://www.godisageek.com/reviews/etrian-mystery-dungeon-review/ |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon Review |last1=Madnani |first1=Mikhail |date=April 6, 2015 |publisher=God is a Geek |access-date=April 7, 2015}}

| rev3 = USGamer

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/etrian-mystery-dungeon-3ds-review-terror-from-the-deep |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon 3DS Review: Terror From the Deep |last1=Parish |first1=Jeremy |date=April 7, 2015 |publisher=USgamer |access-date=April 8, 2015 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205154745/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/etrian-mystery-dungeon-3ds-review-terror-from-the-deep |url-status=dead }}

}}

The game has been mostly positively received, with an aggregate score of 77/100 on Metacritic.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/etrian-mystery-dungeon/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Etrian Mystery Dungeon for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=June 6, 2020}}

Famitsu gave the game a score of 34/40 in their review, with the sub-scores 8, 8, 9, and 9.{{cite web|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-22415/|title=Famitsu review scores (2/24/15)|work=Nintendo Everything|author=Brian|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

Etrian Mystery Dungeon was the second highest selling video game in Japan during its opening week, with 65,226 copies sold and 91.96% of the initial shipment sold out.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/16/yep-etrian-mystery-dungeon-sold-out-in-japan/|title=Yep, Etrian Mystery Dungeon Sold Out In Japan|author=Ishaan|work=Siliconera|date=March 16, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/11/week-sales-mystery-dungeon-rises-grave/|title=This Week In Sales: Mystery Dungeon Rises From The Grave |author=Ishaan |work=Siliconera |date=March 11, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2015}}

{{reflist|2}}

• {{Official website|http://www.atlus.com/etrianmd/}}

{{Etrian Odyssey series}}

{{Mystery Dungeon series}}

Category:2015 video games

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Category:Spike Chunsoft video games

Category:Etrian Odyssey

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