Atlus has released a questions and answers article for the upcoming Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection launch, going over what’s new in the games, how map creation is handled, and more.
Q. What new character customization elements will be added in this remastered version?
A. One new illustration for each class has been added, with a total of 24 new illustrations between Etrian Odyssey I, II, and III. Players can now choose among 5 types of appearances per class, including the previous illustrations.
*Only “III” has 10 types per class, including alternate colors.
Additionally, players can freely set the appearance of their adventurers across classes. For example, “Class is Dark Hunter, appearance is Ronin.”
*For the “Beast” class in the HD remastered version of Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard, no other class illustrations can be used (including first-print copy bonuses Demi-fiend/Teddie).
“Beast” is a class that can be unlocked by fulfilling certain conditions. After “Beast” is unlocked, it is then possible to change a non-Beast class to the appearance of “Beast.”
*It is not possible to change the appearance of a class between games, such as using the appearance of a class from “III” for a class in “I.”
Q. Is there a difficulty level selection?
A. There are three difficulty levels to choose from: “PICNIC,” “BASIC,” and “EXPERT.”
The difficulty level of the original versions is equivalent to “EXPERT,” allowing players to play on the same difficulty level as the original releases, which allows players to enjoy a sense of tension in battle and requires a high level of tactical skill.
If you want to enjoy adventures with a focus on the story, “PICNIC” or “BASIC” are recommended.
Players can change the difficulty level at any time by returning to the town. Please enjoy the game according to your preferred playstyle.
Q. How is mapping performed?
A. [Nintendo Switch Version]
The map can be created both by touching the screen and by using the controller. The “auto-mapping” function is also available to use.
Auto-mapping has a setting that will only draw floors, and a “FULL” option that will automatically record both floors and walls.
By turning auto-mapping off, players can draw all the floors and walls themselves.
We recommend playing with “auto-mapping (FULL)” in TV mode or Tabletop mode on the Nintendo Switch.
| Nintendo Switch Version | Touch | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| TV Mode | × | ○ |
| Tabletop Mode | ○ | ○ |
| Handheld Mode | ○ | ○ |
This game also supports both left-handed and right-handed players. The map display position can be changed to the left or right by setting the dominant hand in the options menu.
The mapping method can be changed at any time during the game. Players can also change the “mapping cursor position.”
[Steam Version]
There are three ways to create the map on PC: “Create with mouse,” “Create with keyboard,” and “Create with controller.”
| Steam Version | Mouse | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | ○ | ○ | ○ |
As with the Nintendo Switch version, there’s also an “auto-mapping” function that can be set to “ON,” “FULL,” or “OFF” in the options.
Using the mouse is recommended when creating maps on a PC. Using a mouse allows you to comfortable draw the map.
The number of keys used when choosing the keyboard method is large due to the nature of the game.
Q. What are the system requirements for the Steam version?
A. The requirements fot the Steam version are as follows:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-540 / AMD Phenom II X3 720 | Intel Core i3-2100 / AMD Phenom II X4 965 |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GT 530, 1 GB / AMD Radeon HD 5570, 1 GB / Intel HD Graphics 4400 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550Ti, 1GB / AMD Radeon HD 5770, 1GB / Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 3 GB available space | 3 GB available space |
| Additional Notes | No anti-aliasing, 720p @ 60 FPS | 4x AA, 1080p @ 60 FPS |
Both minimum and recommended specs require a 64-bit processor and operating system.
Q. Have skill effects been changed?
A. Some skills that did not work properly in the original versions because of bugs have been adjusted, but there are other skills that are advantageous to the player and are used as tactics on purpose.
Q. What can I do through online play in “Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City”?
A. You can do “Sea Quests” and “Trading.”
[Sea Quests]
You can enjoy battling powerful boss monsters in multiplayer with up to 5 players online.
One player becomes the leader and recruits members who then join in. Up to 4 people can be recruited at once. Each player is limited to one character.
Upon completing the event, players are rewarded with luxury armors and items for learning limit skills.
[Trading]
Players can trade their “Guild Cards,” which record their adventures, including the registration rate of their codex and the number of times they have gone on adventures. Players can also trade their items with other players.
Items can be exchanged one at a time between each other, including equipment and materials. There is no limit to the items that can be traded, so even valuable items can be exchanged.
Local connection allows you to bring your Nintendo Switch with which you can enjoy the “Sea Quests” and “Trading” with anyone.
Internet connectivity requires a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online (paid service), while local connections do not.
Q. Is there save data transfers or New Game Plus elements?
A. [Save Data Transfer]
Only for “EO1” to “EO2.” As a bonus, the guild name used in “EO1” can be transferred to “EO2.”
If you choose to transfer the guild name, the content of the events will change slightly. You can also receive specific accessories depending on the data you transfer over.
*The password system from the Nintendo DS version of “EO1” can also be used.
*Only the guild name will be transferred. The party, levels, and skills used in “EO1” cannot be carried over.
[New Game+]
You can continue exploring the labyrinth even after clearing the story for all three titles.
After finishing the story, you can also start playing from the beginning with your guild party, where levels, skills, etc. are carried voer. The classes unlocked through story progression are also carried over.
Q. What is the difference between the first-print limited release and the standard physical version? [Japan-specific]
A. The difference is whether the “Nintendo Switch stylus” is included or not. There is no change in the box illustration.
The stylus is the same as the “Nintendo Switch stylus” currently on sale from Nintendo.
All of the first-print copies include the “Atlus Collaboration Adventurer Illustration Pack” as a bonus.
The standard editions will also include the first-print copy bonus, but the number is limited. Please confirm the availability of the bonus at each store when you pre-order or purchase the game.
The downloadable version of the game will include the first-print copy bonuses if purchased from now until June 14, 2023.
After the bonus period, the bonus will be sold for a fee.
If you want to get the “Atlus Collaboration Adventurer Illustration Pack” for free, we recommend pre-ordering the standard physical edition or the downloadable version as soon as possible.
Q. Can I use a stylus other than the Nintendo Switch stylus?
A. Any capacitive touch stylus that is compatible with the Nintendo Switch can be used. A wide variety of commercially available styluses can be used as long as they are capacitive.
Please note that we do not guarantee that all touchpens will work with the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch has a different capacitive touchscreen from the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U GamePad, so the 3DS and Wii U touchpens cannot be used. The Nintendo DS has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen, and its stylus also cannot be used.
Q. Can I purchase each title individually?
A. Downloadable versions of each game can be purchased individually. If you purchase two or more titles, you can save money by purchasing them as a set.
For the “Atlus Collaboration Adventurer Illustration Pack” which comes as a first-print copy bonus, purchasing a single title will allow players to use the bonuses for that particular title.
Ringo/Joker for EO1, Demi-fiend/Teddie for EO2, and Nahobino/Aigis for EO3.
Each game has two available characters from the pack.
Q. Are there any store-specific purchase bonuses? [Japan-specific]
A. Only Amazon Japan has a store-specific bonus version, with “digital wallpaper” as its bonus.
Additionally, there is a “Famitsu DX Pack” release which includes a special booklet, a B3 tapestry, and a tote bag via “Ebiten.”
Please check the purchase guide for details.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection will be released for the Nintendo Switch and Steam on June 1, 2023.
— Atlus