Gridders!
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 9:09 pm
I've been playing grid-based first person RPGs ('gridders' for short) since 1995. In recent years there's been so many new releases, and a big part of it is thanks to the Etrian Odyssey series. *hugs EO*
I think Etrian Odyssey is the entry point to gridders for a lot of people. I've written a short guide to help those who have developed a taste for this sort of thing, but don't know what else is out there. I hope someone finds it useful!
So all of these games are Etrian Odyssey?
Well, yes and no. Gridders have more variety than they look, and you'll only set yourself up to a disappointment if you expect them to offer the same kind of fun. For example, Etrian Odyssey is about delving and mapping dungeons and building up your characters, while Legend of Grimrock is about solving puzzles and the tight atmosphere, and Might and Magic is more about adventuring in a sandbox with many dungeons and an overworld.
Battles can be either turn-based or real-time. In most of the turn-based ones, combat works pretty much like in EO, except for Might and Magic games which have visible monsters on the field. Real-time battles work around the concept of hit'n run tactics; you're supposed to dance around the enemies and swipe them at opportune moments, while jumping back as they attack you. Both styles of combat have their own tactics and can be just as fun, as long as you understand what makes them tick.
Which ones would you recommend?
This is by no means a comprehensive list. It includes games I have played and personally like, or are commonly recommended by others. I have not included games that are either legally unavailable, or so old that they would be very difficult to get into for someone who doesn't have that much experience with gridders.
PSP (Vita compatible)
-Elminage: Original
The reviews were very poor because the localization was terrible. The problems were fixed in a later patch, so feel free to ignore the review scores. It's a terrific game, and my favorite Wizardry clone.
-Class of Heroes 2
This game suffered from the bad reputation of the first game in the series, but everyone seems to agree the second game is heaps better than the first one.
-Unchained Blades
I haven't played it but it's similar to the two games above.
iPhone/iPod
-Doom 2 RPG
Made by the same guys as Orcs & Elves, so it's very similar. Surprisingly good.
-Undercroft
Very good, and completely FREE!
DS/3DS
-Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
I can't say much about this one since I haven't played it, except that it's gotten good reviews and it has a futuristic setting.
-Orcs & Elves
A streamlined, turn-based gridder without random encounters (you can see the monsters in the dungeon). A very short, but fun little snack.
PC
-Legend of Grimrock
A Dungeon Master clone, which means it has less emphasis on character building and more on puzzles. Real-time combat. If you like these things, this game is highly recommended.
-Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos
Like the game above, it's a Dungeon Master clone. An oldie, but still pretty and very easy to get into. You can buy this from http://www.gog.com.
-Might and Magic 3-5
Come now, if you liked MMX, you do have to at least give these a try! I know they look so very old, but they have aged surprisingly well and are still some of the finest gridders available. You can buy the Might and Magic 6-pack, which includes these games, from http://www.gog.com.
-Might & Magic X - Legacy
Same as above, except prettier since it came out just this year. The general consensus is that it's an addictive, fun old-school gridder for both veterans and those who are new to MM.
Any upcoming gridders I should be aware of?
Sure. These are the ones that I know of, and they may or may not be any good.
-Demon Gaze
Coming soon for the Vita. It's very popular in Japan and importers have been singing it praises, so I have high expectations for it.
-Legend of Grimrock II
Basically seems to be in essence the same as LoG1, but with more varied environments, monsters etc.
-Vaporum
A steampunk gridder. On Steam Greenlight right now.
-Dungeon Kings
For Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS. Looks a lot like Grimrock.
-Persona Q
For 3DS. Seems like it'll basically be a Persona-themed Etrian Odyssey.
-StarCrawlers
Sci-fi, turn-based. Has been greenlit for Steam and had a succesful Kickstarter campaign.
-Class of Heroes 3
From what I've heard, each CoH game is better than the previous one so I have fairly high hopes for this one.
-Class of Heroes 2 for PS3
There's a signup drive for a physical run right now: http://www.gaijinworks.com/
-Nights & Candles
*shrug* I know nothing about it, but it's on Steam Greenlight now.
I think Etrian Odyssey is the entry point to gridders for a lot of people. I've written a short guide to help those who have developed a taste for this sort of thing, but don't know what else is out there. I hope someone finds it useful!
So all of these games are Etrian Odyssey?
Well, yes and no. Gridders have more variety than they look, and you'll only set yourself up to a disappointment if you expect them to offer the same kind of fun. For example, Etrian Odyssey is about delving and mapping dungeons and building up your characters, while Legend of Grimrock is about solving puzzles and the tight atmosphere, and Might and Magic is more about adventuring in a sandbox with many dungeons and an overworld.
Battles can be either turn-based or real-time. In most of the turn-based ones, combat works pretty much like in EO, except for Might and Magic games which have visible monsters on the field. Real-time battles work around the concept of hit'n run tactics; you're supposed to dance around the enemies and swipe them at opportune moments, while jumping back as they attack you. Both styles of combat have their own tactics and can be just as fun, as long as you understand what makes them tick.
Which ones would you recommend?
This is by no means a comprehensive list. It includes games I have played and personally like, or are commonly recommended by others. I have not included games that are either legally unavailable, or so old that they would be very difficult to get into for someone who doesn't have that much experience with gridders.
PSP (Vita compatible)
-Elminage: Original
The reviews were very poor because the localization was terrible. The problems were fixed in a later patch, so feel free to ignore the review scores. It's a terrific game, and my favorite Wizardry clone.
-Class of Heroes 2
This game suffered from the bad reputation of the first game in the series, but everyone seems to agree the second game is heaps better than the first one.
-Unchained Blades
I haven't played it but it's similar to the two games above.
iPhone/iPod
-Doom 2 RPG
Made by the same guys as Orcs & Elves, so it's very similar. Surprisingly good.
-Undercroft
Very good, and completely FREE!
DS/3DS
-Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
I can't say much about this one since I haven't played it, except that it's gotten good reviews and it has a futuristic setting.
-Orcs & Elves
A streamlined, turn-based gridder without random encounters (you can see the monsters in the dungeon). A very short, but fun little snack.
PC
-Legend of Grimrock
A Dungeon Master clone, which means it has less emphasis on character building and more on puzzles. Real-time combat. If you like these things, this game is highly recommended.
-Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos
Like the game above, it's a Dungeon Master clone. An oldie, but still pretty and very easy to get into. You can buy this from http://www.gog.com.
-Might and Magic 3-5
Come now, if you liked MMX, you do have to at least give these a try! I know they look so very old, but they have aged surprisingly well and are still some of the finest gridders available. You can buy the Might and Magic 6-pack, which includes these games, from http://www.gog.com.
-Might & Magic X - Legacy
Same as above, except prettier since it came out just this year. The general consensus is that it's an addictive, fun old-school gridder for both veterans and those who are new to MM.
Any upcoming gridders I should be aware of?
Sure. These are the ones that I know of, and they may or may not be any good.
-Demon Gaze
Coming soon for the Vita. It's very popular in Japan and importers have been singing it praises, so I have high expectations for it.
-Legend of Grimrock II
Basically seems to be in essence the same as LoG1, but with more varied environments, monsters etc.
-Vaporum
A steampunk gridder. On Steam Greenlight right now.
-Dungeon Kings
For Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS. Looks a lot like Grimrock.
-Persona Q
For 3DS. Seems like it'll basically be a Persona-themed Etrian Odyssey.
-StarCrawlers
Sci-fi, turn-based. Has been greenlit for Steam and had a succesful Kickstarter campaign.
-Class of Heroes 3
From what I've heard, each CoH game is better than the previous one so I have fairly high hopes for this one.
-Class of Heroes 2 for PS3
There's a signup drive for a physical run right now: http://www.gaijinworks.com/
-Nights & Candles
*shrug* I know nothing about it, but it's on Steam Greenlight now.
. Thanks for the leads to new games! I love gridders, but dang it there needs to be more.