Longtime fans of the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises have been pleasantly surprised by their recent mainstream success. These JRPG series were known as more niche titles, but Persona 5 changed that by becoming a cultural phenomenon and introducing many players to the series. This success has paved the way for a new entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series, with fans eagerly awaiting its release. Now, with the Etrian Odyssey series, it's the perfect time for developer Atlus to reintroduce this beloved RPG franchise. The recent release of the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection serves as the catalyst for this reintroduction.
Originating from the Nintendo DS, the Etrian Odyssey series is another niche RPG that took advantage of the handheld's dual screens. While it may seem like a simple dungeon-crawler at first, it quickly reveals itself as an engaging and addictive experience. Players not only explore labyrinthine floors but also have the responsibility of mapping out each level using the touch screen. The recent Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection updates the mapping functionality to work with controllers and touch screens, showing that the series still has plenty of life left, even without the use of a second screen.
Etrian Odyssey Could Follow a Trend Established By Other Atlus Projects
The Etrian Odyssey franchise's most recent game release was Etrian Odyssey Nexus for the Nintendo 3DS, marking a gap of around 5 years since the last installment. The release of the Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection could potentially pave the way for a second collection containing the trilogy of Etrian Odyssey games for the 3DS. Considering Atlus' consistent track record with its properties, the release of these collections may suggest the imminent arrival of a new title in the series.
Similarly, the release of Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne on the Nintendo Switch coincided with the announcement of the long-awaited release window for Shin Megami Tensei 5. Additionally, the porting of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal to the Switch and Xbox platforms hinted at the upcoming remake of Persona 3 and the Persona 5 Tactica spin-off. Although not yet confirmed or officially announced by Atlus, statements from the Etrian Odyssey development team during the Origins Collection's live stream suggest the possibility of a new title in the series. Feedback from fans who played the Origins Collection will likely shape the development of this potential new installment.
What an Etrian Odyssey 7 or Franchise Reboot Could Entail
The Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series have always been considered niche compared to other popular JRPGs like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. However, Etrian Odyssey is even more niche within Atlus' catalogue. Looking at the sales numbers, Persona has sold 18 million units across the franchise, while Etrian Odyssey has only sold 1.9 million. This significant difference indicates that Atlus needs to make some critical changes to the Etrian Odyssey formula in order to attract a larger audience.
The core gameplay of Etrian Odyssey does not need to be altered. Its unique combination of dungeon crawling and map making is what sets it apart, so the focus should be on modernizing the series and increasing its appeal in line with Persona and Shin Megami Tensei. One possible approach would be to replicate Persona 5's visually stunning style, including its impressive UI and menu design, in the next iteration of Etrian Odyssey. The successful release of the Origins Collection, which shows that the series works well with a controller, could provide justification for a new title in the franchise.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is out now for Nintendo Switch and PC.
