It may look cute, but this game is a brute

Atlus has announced plans to localize Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan, the latest entry in the long-running JRPG franchise.

Legends of the Titan marks the series' arrival on the Nintendo 3DS, which utilizes an improved graphics engine to provide improved 3D visuals. Like previous titles, players will explore dangerous yet beautiful environments — each littered with various flora and fauna — while mapping their journey using the touch screen and stylus. Character creation and party customization is back, and to help ease new players into the series, a Casual mode option ensures that newcomers will not feel intimidated.

Here's the skinny from Aram Jabbari, Manager of Public Relations and Sales at Index Digital Media, Inc:

The Etrian Odyssey series is an enduring love letter to a bygone era, a time when the thrill of adventure; the rewards of imagination; and the satisfaction of true challenge could truly transport gamers to another world.

While Legends of the Titan continues to be a bridge to that past, the series now enjoys its most technologically sophisticated foray yet. Enemies are rendered in 3D and practically pounce out of the Nintendo 3DS at the player. The areas to be explored and mapped have never been as intricately detailed and memorably vibrant. The wondrous music of Yuzo Koshiro is back, fully orchestrated and as epic as ever. At the risk of sounding oxymoronic, we're proud to bring our fans the newest, most exciting old school CRPG throwback yet!

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is scheduled for release in early 2013, exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. As of now, there are no plans for release in Europe, but we'll let you know if that changes.