Etrian Odyssey uses a turn-based battle system, with a gameplay balance similar to the Shin Megami Tensei series; careless errors will bring about a swift demise. The player can acquire and collect skills, but strategy is emphasized over the player’s skills or levels.

Most games for the Nintendo DS use the Touch Screen for gameplay, and the Top Screen for secondary elements, such as map or statistical displays. Etrian Odyssey uses both.

The Top Screen uses a robust 3D engine to display the environment from a first-person perspective, while the Touch Screen is used by the player to draw and create maps of each environment in a “Conquest Journal.”

Among the areas to be explored are the Emerald Forest, teeming with flower gardens and treasure chests; the Primitive Jungle, where trails are surrounded by poisonous thorns; and the Ancient Grove, where adventurers float across waterways on magical lilies.

• Make your own maps with the Touch Screen! Plot your progress through the labyrinth, drawing walls and placing icons to note special events, treasure chests, doors, pits, stairs, and landmarks.
• Nine character classes! Create a woodland survivalist, shield-bearing templar, whip-wielding dark hunter, or any of a half-dozen other types. Populate an adventurer’s guild with up to 20 characters!
• Turn-based strategic combat! Acquire and collect more than 20 battle skills for your adventuring party of five characters.

I et utstrakt og fruktbart land ligger en liten by kjent som Etria, en fredelig landsby som blir berømt etter en oppsiktsvekkende oppdagelse. En sprekke i den utstrakte skogen åpnet seg ved kanten til Etria og leder nedover som en gapende kjeft. Alt begynte der... De som hører ryktene om labyrinten i Etria, om de så er unge eller gamle, begynner å drømme om å utforske den.

• Rikdom... berømmelse... prestisje... alt dette samt en ting til kan labyrinten love: den sanne eventyrånden på dødens kant.
• I dag, som alle andre dager i nye Etria, går en ung gutt gjennom byens porter...