HOW DID I MISS THIS THREAD?
Ahem. I love these games. Really, really love. In fact, since I live in Europe I have to import any game that isn't the first. Together with the region lock on the 3DS I'll really be screwed. Anyway, I own EO1 and EO3 and plan to import EO2 at some point. When the reprints come, I'll probably be over them.
My history is pretty much that I semi-randomly bought EO1 one day, came to love it over time, then lost it one day in school. I was at B19F, that I remember. Then my DS broke. And then, I re-bought a DS just to play these games, after transitioning with Touhou Labyrinth. (Also a great, challenging game, for a few different reasons, but it has perhaps the best battle system of any JRPG I've ever played.). I have to admit,
it's also because of the music.
Not to mention the class designs. I have a certain something for heroines, especially those who stand on their own legs (and don't require the support or leadership or amateur psychological help of a male lead), so, uh, I'm pretty much doing the all female thing. I personally prefer the classes of EO1/2 though... perhaps it's because they're so basic. EO3's classes are more complex - not a bad thing, but I really like that they're sort-of rehashing the earlier class designs in EO4.
Not to mention, Etrian Odyssey made me realize I love the Mezzer archetype. Perhaps that's why I dislike EO3's classes, there isn't really a clear-cut mezzer (and Wildlings are weird).
And EO3 isn't really any easier to break than EO1 or EO2. Certain single skills in EO1 are broken enough so that my EO1 party only receives single-digit damage from just about everything when properly set up. And EO2, from what I see, has really ridiculous limit breaks and a few overbuffed classes. The main thing, actually, is that it requires some more effort to really break the game in two in EO3. You need to identify the hilariously strong class combinations.
EO4 looks like it actually will be balanced enough, though. The subclasses have really been put on a leash, and the classes don't really look that broken. (Except for Imperial, lol)
Anyway, this is my progress report!
EO1: Facechecking pitfalls in B27F
Party: L/P M/S/H for the postgame. L/P M/A/B, L/P/R M/A, L/P/R M/H before that, chronologically.
EO3: Being woefully underleveled in B13F
Party: Gl.Ar/Sh.Bu/Pr.Mo Fa.Wi/Zo.Ar
I have no idea what it was before that, this party changes approximately twice every floor. If I had stuck with one setup, I'd not have the need to grind right now.
I have no idea how this current setup even works, but it does, somehow.
**** ambushing Big Snakeheads, tho. Just **** them. Responsible for at least ten total party wipes.