Into the Labyrinth

SQ3 portraits now with color change!

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:57:34 EST

Reported by Nyleveia.com, the newest edition of Famitsu had even more Etrian Odyssey III information.

It seems that, while there are the four default portraits of all the classes, when selecting a portrait you are also able to use a toggle to change the color palette of those four portraits giving you four more to choose from. That brings the total of forty different portraits straight up to eighty! You can see an example of the color change for the Prince/Princess class in this full page scan.

And in the newest blog entry on the Official Etrian Odyssey 3 Developers Blog, battle designer Kakuichi mentions several technical changes they have made to the way battles work. Some of these include: allowing attacks to hit the whole party at one time, making the active attacker more obvious, and finally making each attack type (bash, pierce, and slash) more distinctive. - These changes have been added to our SQ3 List of Gameplay Changes.

We also have five new screenshots added to our image gallery. - Click here to view them.

And last, but not least, if you visit our forum and go to select an avatar from our gallery, you will notice that there is a new menu for "Third Game" that gives you avatars for all of the forty default character portraits in the game. You can also find them here. Enjoy!!

Finally some real data!

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:13:46 EST

After a restless night, you guys lucked out. I had nothing better to do on my computer than to sit and read all of the articles I had missed on Nyleveia.com and to compose the page that I've been working on for several months now.

I still do not think it is complete and that I'm missing a bunch of things but at least now this is up and I can update it quickly (which will help since I've got tests and projects coming up in my classes these next weeks). Here's to HOPING I can do a better updating job.

Without further ado: A List of Gameplay Changes in Etrian Odyssey III.

You know, we really shouldn't be calling it EO3 just yet since it's not been slated for release in America (yet). SQ3 is really the proper abbreviation. *Sigh* But, who's paying attention, I guess.

Also, I've updated the List of Important Names and Sites page with links to SQ3 websites. Yay for that, I guess.

91 images, 7 videos, and a treat!

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:43:40 EST

So, here we go. I apologize first for my obscure absence which I'm sorry to say doesn't look like the matter will improve any time soon. However, I will do the best I can.

For everyone's patience, I've got a special treat. On the Official Etrian Odyssey 3 website five soundtracks were released preview some of the sounds in the game. For those of you that are interested, you can not only listen to them now on our website, but they are now up for download in mp3 format. Enjoy - EOIII - Soundtracks and Other Songs

Now, down to business. I've added ninety one (yes, that's 91) images to the gallery. All albums in the Sekaiju no Meikyu 3 Gallery have been updated.

Before I move along, I would like to point all of you towards Nyleveia.com, the creator of many of the following images, and so far my own #1 stop for EO news (when I've had time to read it). All of the images that I have taken from their website are marked with a link to their site.

Let me break it down for you in a better manner. In the Screenshots gallery we have: 12 new images in the General Screenshots album and 8 new images in the Magazine Clippings album. - Click here to view them.

In the Official Artwork gallery we have: 1 new Boxart, 41 new Character artwork, 3 Enemies, 10 Miscellaneous, and 4 new Scenes. - Click here to view them.

In the Wallpapers gallery we have 4 new wallpapers added into each of the following three sizes: 1024x768, 1280x1024, and 1900x1200. - Click here to view them.

And last but not least, we have seven new youtube videos, all of them uploaded once again by Nyleveia.com, but taken off of the Official Etrian Odyssey 3 website. They can be viewed in our viewer over to the left. The following videos were added: New SQ3 Trailer, Ship System video, and Systems videos 3 through 4.3.

Also, I must offer my most sincere apology to Nyleveia.com and a bunch of my forumers. In the previous posts there was some questing about my sourcing methods. I thought that they were adequate, they did not think so. I hope to rectify this issue in this and future posts and also would like to remind viewers: I am not a gaming journalist - not yet (maybe one day). None of this news comes from me. I simply gather and collect and re-post it here. No, I'm not originator of any of this information. My sincerest apologies to anyone that may have felt wronged.

Even more screens and mag clippings

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:46:32 EST

So we just keep getting more and more information as time goes on. Sorry I've not been able to be on top of it as I should have. I got a cold last week and it's just sucked up all my motivation to do anything. However, tonight I promise to have a listing up of all the current facts we know about this new upcoming SQ3 game.

(Sorry, still no news yet from Atlus USA about whether or not they are bringing this over. Probably won't get any news until after the game is out in Japan, if the past games are anything to go by.)

In the gallery we have 9 new magazine clippings. - Click here to view them.

We also have 8 new screenshots (technically seven since I realized too late that one was a duplicate... oh well). - Click here to view them.

The official website is also constantly being updated recently, as is the official blog.

There is one music track from the site (which a buddy on the forums has uploaded to megaupload - I'm going to download it tonight and upload it to our server so others can download it as well).

More important than that though, they have some wallpapers! Two wallpaper styles and one banner. You can find them in different sizes in the gallery. - Click here for wallpapers.

And last but not least, we have added up a new System Play video onto our youtube video viewer. However, you can also find the video located beneath the cut.

System Play Vid #2:

New SnM3 Screens and Media

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:50:29 EST

Ok, I've went through the internet and collected all of the current media that has been placed up so far. Tomorrow or the next day (since I've got finals) I'll work on getting up the data that has been posted.

I've added 6 new magazine clippings to the gallery, including a close-up of the single shot we get of the unconfirmed classes. - Click here to view them.

Added twelve screenshots of the game into the gallery. - Click here to view them.

And finally the character images of the five confirmed classes. - Click here to view them.

Just as the year before last when Etrian Odyssey II was announced, there's no way that any of this could have happened if not for my faithful forumers. Thanks so much guys. Remember, if you see anything that I've missed, post it up here!

And last but not least, two important sites:
- Sekaiju no Meikyu III: Sekai no Raihousha Official Website
- Sekaiju no Meikyu III: Sekai no Raihousha Official Blog

Etrian Odyssey 3 Trailer Released

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:03:04 EST

As was mentioned earlier, Etrian Odyssey 3 has now been officially confirmed by the Japanese and developing branch of Atlus.

Today the official trailer has become available, which you will be able to see after the cut.

You can download this trailer here.

Thanks to GoNintendo and Famitsu for the notification and to RB on the forums.

Sekaiju no Meikyu 3 Announced!

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:06:00 EST

In the most recent edition of Famitsu, Sekaiju no Meikyu 3: Hoshimi no Raihousha (Yggdrasil Labyrinth: Caller of the Starry Seas) has been announced!

We have added up a forum section for the game as well as it's own image gallery, where you can view the four magazine clippings we have already gathered. - Check them out!

Confirmed in the articles (this is going off what others have told us has been translated from the articles, which isn't much, we will update with more as we get it):

+ A possible wireless multiplayer mode (sorry, no online)
+ New classes including: prince, princess, pirate, shinobi and phalanx
+ Setting appears to have something to do with ocean
+ Shigeo Komori, EOI Scenario writer and director of EOII, returns as the direction
+ Yuzo Koshiro returns as the soundtrack creator (HELL YEAH!)
+ Yuji Himukai returns as lead character designer
+ No news if Niinou returns....

Well, more as we get it. Excuse the sloppy and quickness of this post. It's been a while, obviously. Check our forums frequently to keep on top of the news! Remember, we are getting this second hand, so MANY THANKS goes out to RB and everyone he is quoting!

The Atlus Blog - New Site

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:51:45 EST

So, I know it's been, like, forever and a day ago since I've posted an update. Hopefully things will start to pick up. I've been hard at work on something that I think many many of you will really enjoy.

The Atlus (USA) Blog

This is my newest site, hosted by ItL and owned by both me and Archaic. On the website you can find information that Atlus USA has released in both e-mails, twitter, as well as a bunch of unreleased stuff, or stuff that is strictly from the JPN side of things.

Not only that but you will be able to find reviews and get our own general opinions. TAB is in no way a replacement for ItL. The news that is featured over there will not affect the news featured here and vice-versa. They are two different sites.

I hope to see you guys over there! Feel free to drop us a line!

Interactive EO Floor Maps

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:56:37 EST

Announcing the release of a big project that has been some time in the making. And there's still a lot of work to be done, but at least it is now in a position that we can work on these faster and get them out to you ASAP.

ItL now hosts it's Interactive Etrian Odyssey Maps. At the moment this is only for the first game, but as soon as we are done with the first game, we will be working on the second.

These maps are based off of Zaraf's own map projects and this was really his own idea. He gave me the project several months ago and I'm sorry that I have only now been able to release it to everyone. Please, enjoy them as they will become an integral part of all the site guides.

The maps include information on all FOEs as well as the ability to click on stairs and access the next floor (wonderful for those who get lost easy). Hopefully in the future we will also have FOE paths marked out, but at the moment this is not a feature.

Hopefully you will all enjoy them! And please, if you spot any errors, e-mail me immediately - DO NOT e-mail Zaraf.

Etrian Odyssey I manual uploaded

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:48:39 EST

So, today I finally got around to completing my manual-uploading project. The manual for the original Etrian Odyssey game has been added up onto the gallery.

Click here to view the manual...

Now, I have a special request for anyone out there that might have it. I am interested in having the Japanese manuals for both games added up and onto our gallery as well as the one from the UK version. If anyone is willing to spend the time and effort, please upload them to the Fan Contributions section of the gallery!

Remember, if you have any Etrian Odyssey products (such as CD albums, etc.) feel free to scan and upload the album art into the Fan Contributions section. I will look them over and add them into the official sections of the site with a special thank you.

Atlus Gives Pre-order Spoils

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:04:40 EST

Today Atlus announced its plans to release some wonderful extras for those who pre-order any of the following games: Persona 4, Luminous Arc 2, and Eternal Poison.

Upon pre-ordering, when you receive your game discs, you will not only receive bonus soundtrack CDs that already come with every copy of the game, but you will also receive special artbooks.

Click the read more to get full details on each of these artbooks. Remember, you can use our own ItL Games Store to pre-order your copy of these games. It works through Amazon and you will definitely receive these special extras! Help support both Atlus and ItL!

Persona 4: 12/9/08
Click for Promotional Image
Free inside every copy: Bonus CD Soundtrack from composer Shoji Meguro. Pre-ordering: The artbook includes at and designs from Shigenori Soejima. The artbook is 7"x10" with 100 full-color pages.

Luminous Arc 2: 11/18/08
Click for Promotional Image
Free inside every copy: Bonus CD Soundtrack from Yasunori Mitsudo's Procyon Studio. Pre-ordering: The artbook includes art and designs from both games. It is also 7"x10", full colored.

Eternal Poison: 11/11/08
Click for Promotional Image
Free inside every copy: Bonus CD Soundtrack from the game. Pre-ordering: the artbook includes art and designs from the beautiful gothic world of Eternal Poision. The pages are all full colored and the artbook is 5"x8".

Gallery Updates: EOII Manual!

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:50:59 EST

I've tried scanning things before in the past. However, the scanners my parents have always bought were always the low-end, low-quality producing rip-off scanners that would never suit my tastes.

FINALLY, my parents went out and bought a REALLY REALLY nice, high-end, wireless printer. :3 I'm VERY satisfied with the scans that I get. SO! Guess what I went and did for you guys:

Scans of the three page EOII article spread included in the June 2008 edition of Nintendo Power (the one I so diligently typed out).

BUT, even kewler: Scans of the Etrian Odyssey II Manual.

I ALSO plan on doing the first book. However, it took me about an hour just scanning those pages and then another hour cropping, resizing, adjusting, re-scanning (I'll be honest... my scanning skills SUCK), and meeting my own quality-check approval. I'm tired. I'll try to get the first game's book tomorrow.

Atlus Halloween Costume Contest

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:17:28 EST

It's here, time for the 2008 Atlus-O-Weenie Costume Contest! For those of you that don't know, it's a Halloween contest sponsored by Atlus where you dress up as your favorite Atlus characters and try to win some prizes. For full rules, details, and information, please visit the Official Contest page.

Note: to Faithful subscribers, there was an error in the e-mail that has been updated on this page.

From ItL: If you have an Etrian Odyssey costume (or any other Atlus-related one), please submit it to our image gallery. Please! Submit your EO-related costumes even if you are not submitting them to the Atlus contest. WE WANNA SEE THEM! SHOW THEM OFF!

Remember: if you are having problems with our submitting to our image gallery, make sure you are registered and read this thread.

Yggdra Union and Greatest Hits

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:05:41 EST

For those that may have missed the original news (and I apologize because we did, too), two old Atlus titles made it to the Greatest Hits and are now going to be redistributed at select retailers across North America: Disgaea: Hour of Darkness and Odin Sphere.

Head over to the Atlus-Only section of our online store where you can purchase either of them for a mere $19.99! Don't miss out now!!

And last but not least, Atlus released some information to its Faithfuls about the upcoming PSP game Yggdra Union. If you are interested in reading the info, please click the Read more below.

(Taken from the e-mail:) Before the game finds a permanent home in your PSPs, it may be prudent for a quick Yggdra Union combat lesson. Battles in Yggdra Union require more than your normal level of strategy. Let's take it step-by-step:

Stage 01 - It starts with the cards
Being effective in battle depends on choosing the right card for each turn. You'll want to pay attention to the following:

Power (POW): The greater the number, the greater the attack power. Power will increase as you win battles using the card.

Move (MOV): This is the number of spaces you have to allocate to your party during their turn. If your "Mov" is 12, you can move one unit 12 spaces, or divide the 12 spaces among your units.

ACE type (ACE): The ACE type icon will become important starting at Battlefield 7 when you learn to activate the card's skill.

Stage 02 - Position your troops
Based on your card's "Mov" number, you will move your units around the map. Generally, you'll want to position your troops in a Union, which lets you send multiple troops into battle. The Union Leader is positioned next to an enemy, and starts the battle.

Union formations depend on the Union Leader's gender, and enemies can also form Unions.

Weapon affinity is another key factor to consider in positioning, since the strength of one weapon over another can decide a battle. The first set of weapons break down like so:

Sword > Axe
Axe > Spear
Spear > Sword

Stage 03 - Battle!
During battle, choose your mode of attack: Passive or Aggressive. Being Aggressive strengthens your attacks, but wears the Skill Gauge down. Being Passive lowers attack power, but fills your Skill Gauge.

From Battlefield 7 on, a full Skill Gauge lets you execute the special skill on the card IF the card's ACE type matches the Union Leader's weapon type.

The more decisive your victory over your opponent, the greater the hit to their Morale. When Morale reaches 0, they disappear from the battlefield.

You're all better Yggdra Union players now, Faithful, and just in time, too... The game will be in stores September 16th! Did you remember to preorder at GameStop? If so, we hope you like bonus soundtrack CDs...

As you might imagine, Yggdra Union is a very deep and at times involved strategy RPG. For more on how to be awesome in the world of Yggdra Union, visit the game's official website!

Help Atlus with Trauma Centre

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:30:31 EST

On the latest Atlus Faithful e-mail, Atlus is asking for your help! They want to know a few opinions about the much loved game Trauma Centre (or Center outside of the UK). It's a brief questioner where there are various questions such as what other platforms do you want the games on, and pretty basic information really.

There's a chance to win some nice goodies if you enter as well, 5 survey takers, at random will be awarded with a Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 poster signed by character designer Masayuki Doi.

You can also see the other prize you can win in Read More.

Take the survey here.

For every participant, the winner will also be able to see the below image:

*Click for full size

Just a tiny bit of fanservice for you.