Etrian Mystery Dungeon

Overall, the blending of Etrian Odyssey and Mystery Dungeon is handled extremely well, thanks to the excellent work by Spike Chunsoft and Atlus.

Amazingly, neither source franchise feels compromised in this union. And while it’s easy to point out where the game’s many influences stem from, the greater game feels unique. This spinoff is good enough that it should be a new franchise going forward.

For those willing to invest the effort and time, Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a phenomenal game that will challenge and reward you in equal measure.

With tons of content and a similarly expansive level of challenge, it quite impressively sidesteps the tendency of Mystery Dungeon spinoffs to feel slight and insubstantial.

Really, if you like a deep experience with plenty of replay value in portable dungeon-crawling, this is about as good as it gets.

If you’re a fan of either series, this game’s a no brainer for you already. It’s the best of both worlds. But if you’re new to 3DS gaming and looking for a unique dungeon-crawling RPG, there are probably even better games to start with. Etrian Mystery Dungeon is almost confusing in its complexity beyond the first few dungeons, though seasoned RPG-ers will relish in this aspect. It’s a game with few real faults, and well worth every penny.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon continues the streak of great Etrian titles. The shake-up in gameplay doesn't rattle the game too much for die-hard fans and will give them exactly what they want, while giving people unfamiliar with the franchise, a good entry level introduction.

A beautiful marriage of the Mystery Dungeon and Etrian Odyssey franchises resulting in a brilliant and fun game.

It's hard, slow and strategic, but if you like this, then you'll find what we think it is the best dungeon crawler for the 3DS.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a fine game and a worthy entry into both the Etrian Odyssey and Mystery Dungeon series.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a brutal roguelike which requires focus, commitment and a deep sense of strategy, hence fans of the genre will fall in love with it and Etrian veterans will recognize every major feature in its colorful characters and environments. This is a cross-over done right.

There are also a few returning issues with the controls, with the dash skill being an particular annoyance; it’s designed to speed you around each dungeon but instead you have continually re-engage it every time you turn a corner, leave an area, or enter a room.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a tough as nails RPG which demands a good level of strategic thinking when tackling the adversities ahead. Featuring lush and beautiful environments and a majestic soundtrack, it's a fun and compelling experience for RPG fans who like going deep into their endeavours. Those who prefer a light-hearted approach should be careful though, as this game will not show any mercy.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a terrible Etrian Odyssey game, missing the point entirely in what an Etrian Odyssey game is meant to offer. But as a roguelike, it is such a clean, traditional example of the genre that I found it very difficult to put down.

An enjoyable adventure for the seasoned veteran, Etrian Mystery Dungeon may also seem bare bones and merciless for the newcomers.

There’s a lot in this little 3DS game that can keep you busy for tons of hours. Just keep in mind, it is a difficult game and it doesn’t apologize for it, but if you can get past the learning curve, it becomes a very rewarding experience that dungeon crawling fans will really enjoy – even if the AI can be dumb as bricks at times.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a combination of two franchises that ends up doing very well, and it's on the same level as other great RPGs on the 3DS.

Anyone looking to spend a solid 40+ hours on a roguelike should look no further than this.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a solid game that conveys the strengths of both franchises involved.

There is no shortage of appeal to this game for those who can appreciate a classic dungeon crawler. Unfortunately for non-fans, there isn’t much else on the table.

If you’re a fan of long dungeon dives where treasure or terror lurk around every turn, with floor after floor full of enemies and the occasional DOE leading to the big bosses, this is yet another 3DS RPG you won’t want to miss.

The more I played Etrian Mystery Dungeon the more I fell in love with it. While the learning curve is pretty steep and the rewards are fairly low-end early on, you really do get as much as you put in. It gives existing Mystery fans a lot to stick around for, and serves as a nice entry point for newcomers, so long as they are willing to learn.

Fans of either series - or anyone up for a challenging dungeon-crawl in a idyllic setting - will have a great time combing through these charming catacombs.

Mixing RPGS and roguelike elements, this game manages to offer a deep challenge, but fails in being too short for its kind.

It requires patience, and it can be repetitive, but if you calmly invest time in it you will appreciate its deep gameplay and challenging dungeons.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a surprising game that combines two series that have very different game mechanics. It does it very great, as this is an accessible Mystery Dungeon-game that offers more challenge than Pokemon.

Engaging, deep and very "exotic" Dungeon Crawler. A great cross over between rare and cult JRPG franchises like Etrian Odyssey and Mystery Dungeon.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a fun little strategy RPG that will surely satisfy gamers who enjoy mental taxation and heavy frustration on the go.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon provides a refreshing change of pace for Etrian Odyssey fans by infusing the dungeon-crawler with challenging elements from Spike Chunsoft’s venerable Mystery Dungeon franchise. Unfortunately, some clunky controls and curious design decisions prevent this roguelike from reaching the greatest heights of the genre.

Combining the maddening and dedicated labyrinths of Etrian Odyssey with Mystery Dungeon's ode to indifferent but committed variability would seem to be the videogame equivalent of pushing an immovable object against an unstoppable force. It's an attractive paradox, and, rather than explode on contact, both series' unique strengths coalesce into a grueling exploration of applied skill and tough love.

An old school roguelike enriched with some interesting twists. [13/2015, p.73]

The enjoyment of Etrian Mystery Dungeon will be very much dependent on how much a player enjoys the core experience of repeated dungeon excursions.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a good dungeon crawler with a few small annoying elements to it. For some those might all add up and cause a great deal of frustration, but for people who are able to put up with it and dig deep into the dungeons, there’s fun to be had.

It won’t convert many new fans to either series but this is a successful mix of the best of both (minus the map-making) and whose new ideas deserve a future of their own.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon isn’t a bad game, but it is a disappointing one. There are better JRPGs out there and unfortunately this one just left me wanting more.

If you're down for a lengthy adventure filled with frustrating trials and tribulations, then Etrian Mystery Dungeon might by perfect for you. [Issue #15; May/June 2015, p.74]

The narrative thread is just strong enough to remain interesting, but it takes a back seat to the loot-soaked foundation that works so well.

Unoriginal and a bit repetitive, this new Mystery Dungeon chapter will appeal to long-time fans of the saga.

The team behind Etrian Mystery Dungeon should have spent a little more time making its gameplay deeper than its labyrinths.

Neither a very good Etrian game nor a very good Mystery Dungeon game.

I love the Etrian Odyssey series and Shiren The Wanderer is quite possibly my favorite roguelike of all time, but not everything can come together as deliciously as chocolate and peanut butter. The two franchises here don't complement each other in any beneficial way, and the end result comes off as ill-fitting and awkward.

Roguelike mechanics are not a turn-on for me in most instances, and after finishing this I fervently hope not to deal with trap-laden dungeons again for a very long time. It's some kind of testament to Etrian Mystery that I was able to finish it, but not without many irrational bursts of rage at its mechanics.