New Etrian Odyssey announced for fall on 3DS

Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends of the Titan only released this February, but Atlus is already preparing to launch a brand new entry.

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS and debuts this fall, Atlus announced today. It contains two full-length experiences. One is an expanded story mode — a first for the series — that uncovers the mysterious origins of the Yggdrasil Tree and the identity of a girl named Frederica. The second is a classic mode that revitalizes the original Etrian Odssey game.

The story mode is completely new to the series, putting players in charge of five premade characters with distinct personalities who "explore a side of Etria not seen in the first game." Adventurers will conquer new dungeons and enemies. In classic mode, players can create their own classes. The original chart-making mechanic returns along with the same intense turn-based combat, now occuring in fresh dungeon maps.

However, both versions feature modern gameplay conveniences, 3D graphics, and StreetPass capabilities. Players can switch between a variety of difficulty modes at anytime.

Untold also introduces the Grimoire Stone system to both modes. Players can collect, synthesize, and equip Grimoire Stones to hybridize their party and even teach characters enemy moves. Skills are no longer set to specific classes.

"Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl is so much more than a remake," said Tim Pivnicny, the vice president of sales and marketing for Index Digital Media, in a press statement. "The Atlus team went above and beyond to create a full-length story mode that really explores the world of Etria. The updated gameplay conveniences from Etrian Odyssey 4 make the game approachable for new players while the added voices, 3D graphics, and new gameplay systems continue to push the series forward."

Madhouse is animating the game's opening and story cutscenes. That's the same animation company that worked on Persona 4: Golden and Persona 4 Arena. The game will include story and battle voice-overs and an option for orchestrated background music.

Untold will release in stores and on the Nintendo eShop simulatenously.

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