Etrian Odyssey II Heroes of Lagaard - Nintendo DS

Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard for Nintendo DS is a classic, first-person dungeon-crawling RPG that challenges players to explore a massive labyrinth floor by floor—drawing their own map as they go. Developed by Atlus, this sequel to the cult hit Etrian Odyssey builds on the original’s tough-as-nails formula with refined mechanics, new classes, and a towering new dungeon: the legendary Yggdrasil Labyrinth of Lagaard.

As the leader of a custom-made guild of adventurers, you’re tasked with reaching the top of a sky-piercing tree that holds the secrets of a forgotten civilization. With no pre-written party members, you’ll recruit and build a team from 12 unique classes—including Gunner, War Magus, and Beast—each with their own skills, stat growth, and synergy potential. Strategic team composition and careful skill point investment are essential to survival.

What sets Etrian Odyssey II apart is its manual mapping system. Using the DS stylus and touch screen, you draw walls, mark treasures, note shortcuts, and track dangerous enemies as you uncover the labyrinth one tile at a time. This mechanic adds immersion, personalization, and a real sense of discovery.

The turn-based combat is fast, tactical, and brutally challenging, especially with FOEs—roaming mini-bosses that can end your run if you’re careless. Smart resource management, retreating when necessary, and knowing when to push forward are all vital elements of progression.

With beautifully detailed sprite art, a haunting and heroic soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro, and a wealth of dungeon-crawling content, Etrian Odyssey II is a standout entry in the DS library and a must-play for fans of old-school RPG difficulty and deep, customizable gameplay.