Etrian Odyssey Nexus asks a simple question: can a dungeon crawler built for the DS survive on the 3DS? The answer is mostly yes, though the move comes with some rough edges.
The game drops players into a vast, branching dungeon filled with enemies and treasure. Players build a team of characters, send them down corridors, and watch as they fight and explore on their own. The system is the same one that defined the series since the DS days: pick a direction, let your team move, and hope you find enough items to keep going.
Trailer, via Official ATLUS West.
The Dungeon Itself
The dungeon design is the game’s strongest feature. Rooms connect through narrow passages and wide open spaces, and the map never repeats itself in a way that feels empty. Players who enjoy planning routes and finding shortcuts will find plenty to enjoy here.
The dungeon is the heart of Etrian Odyssey Nexus.
Fights happen automatically once an enemy appears on screen. That simplicity means battles move fast, but it also limits how much players can control during a fight. Characters act on their own, and the player’s role is mostly to manage equipment and abilities outside of combat.
The difficulty curve is steep, especially early on. New players will likely feel lost before they get the hang of managing resources and gear. Once the rhythm sets in, though, the game opens up.
What Holds It Back
The 3D presentation is a mixed bag. Some areas look sharp, while others suffer from low frame rates and visual clutter. The 3D effect adds depth to the dungeon, but it does not fix the underlying technical issues.
Sound design is thin. Music is present but forgettable, and sound effects rarely stand out. None of this breaks the game, but it keeps Etrian Odyssey Nexus from feeling essential.
The pacing can drag in longer sessions. Since fights resolve themselves quickly, the focus shifts entirely to exploration, which can feel slow without much feedback from the game itself.
Here is what stands out about the experience:
- A sprawling, branching dungeon that rewards exploration
- Automatic combat that keeps battles moving fast
- Steep difficulty that tests resource management
- A 3D presentation that shows promise but struggles with frame rates
Final Score
Etrian Odyssey Nexus succeeds because it respects the core formula that made the series work on the DS. The dungeon design is strong, the combat is quick, and the challenge is real. The presentation and sound work hold it back, but they do not sink the whole project.
If you enjoyed earlier games in the series, this one delivers what you expect. If you are new to the genre, the learning curve may take some patience. The game is worth playing, even if it does not fully escape its past.
