This game is long enough that it will keep you busy for plenty of time. This is the sign of a good game. When combined with the other elements of the game, this is an awesome game. When combined with the fact that it will cause you to go partially insane from trying too hard; this, is a fantastic game. The music is also amazing; you will never become tired of hearing it.

Before the game came out, I had received an e-mail about it. I looked at the game's website and said to myself " I am definitely going to get this." The character customization is really good, and the battle system and labyrinth exploration is just like the games that were for the NES. The game was long enough to stay entertained, and short enough so that you know you won't be picking it up five years later and still trying to figure out how to finish it. The music in the game was great, and sound effects didn't include loud beeping noises. The graphics of characters and monsters are well drawn and well colored. Even after finishing the game there is still more to do, so people who like to play with their old characters can do so. For those who like to start again, the amount of classes allows a different play style each time.

At first I was uncertain about buying this game since I never played the 1st one but I bought it none the less because I promised myself I would. When I first started the game, it reminded me of another Atlus serie, Wizardry, which I've been playing since the SNES era. The whole character customization, party creation, dungeon exploring and events made me dust off my old SNES just to try Wizardry once more. They did a great job of taking the flaws of Wizardry and making them less bad. The dungeon difficulty curve is set up in a way that you still need to think of your actions before attacking but in a less harsh way. The map function is really good, finally something to replace pen and paper to take notes and draw paths. I must admit this genre is not for everyone but I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes old-school RPG.

I just got this game, and this is the first time iv played something like this. Iv got to say its not that bad. It take some getting used to for some one who never played an old school RPG, yet thats the fun part. Its challenging, interactive, and takes full effect off of the DS touch screen. Being able to create up to 30 toons is great for all the classes and stuff. The story line is one that i havent heard of before. Games for the DS are way more intresting than most iv played on the 360, who are just a bunch of old games with a fresh coat of paint. Right now i cant stop looking through gamestop.com to find more games and gear for my DS lite. (I just got paid so i feel like a kid in a candy store.... a really shiney candy store with lots of buttons and flashing lights.)

Ever since I bought the first Etrian Odyssey game oh so long ago I have been in love with the series. As soon as I saw Etrian odyssey II now shipping on the gamestop website I rushed to my local GS and purchased this game. I have been hooked on this game ever since. Etrian odyssey II. Like it's predecessor is a wonderful blend of strategy, classic rpg, and challenging gameplay. There are 3 elements of the etrian odyssey games that in my opinion make this an excellent series which are the touch screen based mapping function, the massive character customization and the extreme challenge this game presents. Etrian odyssey II is very much like the first game but there have been a number of improvements which make this game that much better than the first which in my opinion was a 10/10. This game is not by any means for everybody. Because of the patience needed to play this game many players may be discouraged by the very difficult nature of this game but for any player who is ready to sit down and put some serious time into a great game that will challenge you for weeks I highly reccomend this game. If you are unsure whether to buy this game my best advice is to just go buy it. It's olny $** and even if you don't like it I'm sure like it's predecessor in a short time it will become rare enough that you can sell it for a profit.

If you were lucky enough to get ahold of a copy of the Last, actually FIRST Etrian Odyssey, you already know the feel of this Old School RPG. Old School meaning there is a great deal of emphasis on map making in order to find your way through the Labyrinth. There are additional tools in this one that makes that job, much easier. There are a few who will not like this one, it requires work, and thought, not for the thumb monkey in all of us, however,if you are like me and grew up making your maps on paper a la the original Dungeons and Dragons, and you prefer that Imagination based type game, then you will love this second installment of a great game. I personally bought it after much research when it first came out, in the early days of release and was (and still am) very pleased. It took a while to catch on as many players today expect animations that do the work rather than your imagination. I prefer using my mind. The artwork is just right to inspire or jump start the imagination, the story line a bit more in depth, and for those who played the last version, you can now store things, items at the inn, in between trips into the labyrinth. I vaguely recall some reviewers complaining last time that ..."you had to make your own maps, there was a lot of return trips back and forth into the labyrinth and out again, Yada, Yada, Yada..." , but that is only a small part of the charm of this story and game. This game is rich in tradition of the Original Role Playing Style and is meant to keep with those traditions and does so very well. Although there were those who complained when it first came out last time; try finding it in ANY game store, USED OR NEW, YOU CAN'T, it was so well loved by the traditional RPGers that it became an instant Classic and COLLECTIBLE! Check the on-line auctions, you'll pay from $50 and $70 and more for a USED COPY if you can even find it! There is a reason for that, it is a great game, simple as that, don't miss out this time on a classic done right. This is not a quick game I put in over 100 hours on the last one. A note for previous buyers, the instruction manual now contains a graphic chart on the [expanded skill tree which makes for a great easy-reference when leveling up your characters. The same wonderful art style is used here, as well as RPG formula, I for one am glad to see more of the same from last time, but improved upon with more options. That just made an already great game even better. Someone once said, "simplicity is the hallmark of genius", this utilizes tradition and that concept to create what I for one, feel qualifies as a true work of enjoyable entertainment art. There are those who may say I might be exaggerating just a little,(if I even knew how to spell the word) I don't believe so. Do yourself a favor, if this is your style of game; get this classic, play it and then don't get rid of it. The value of this game will INCREASE in time, as a collectible, as did the last one, mark my words, you heard it here first. Then some time down the road, you will be able to sell that game for MORE than you paid for it, THAT is the true sign of a success and a work of art. Enjoy, Game On.