With Etrian Odyssey V heading to the 3DS in Japan in August, hype is starting to build for the latest in the much-loved franchise. We're still waiting for word of localisation to the West, but it's nevertheless interesting to follow the game's progress as it works towards the Japanese release.
The latest update is exciting for fans of FM (frequency modulation) sounds - in basic terms, a retro sound often associated with the arcade and SEGA console eras of the late '80s and early '90s. It's been confirmed that following the game's release there'll be paid DLC that'll switch background music to the FM sound source. In other words, this paid extra will allow players to enjoy listening to music as if from a bygone era.
If you want an idea of what to expect, you can listen to a free sample on the official website. It's also worth noting that famous composer Yuzo Koshiro has been credited for the work that'll make this DLC possible; if that name seems familiar, you may have seen it earlier as he's one of the composers on promising upcoming 3DS eShop title Gotta Protectors.
If this game and DLC does make it to the West as we hope it will, would you pay a little extra for this FM background music?
[source sq-atlus.jp, via neogaf.com]
Comments 36
OH, MY GAWD, YES!!!
AND it will use the Sega chip, too?! DROOL
@MrPuzzlez Yuzo Koshiro + FM music = So much yes!! ;w;
west release when?
i should get into this franchise.
Need to hear a sample first but I always like the way Atlus devs think!
Oh and where has @MERG been?
Ok, sounds good to me!
Wanna some FM synth nostalgia? Pay and ya get it!!
Its seems this Yuzo Koshiro guy (by the way, one of my favorite VG composer - as many admire his lifelong work) found out a very simple way to aggregate more profit to his efforts!!
Clever move, since it can be considered as paying more for a soundtrack - and it may be worth considering his competence!
I'm a bit concerned for Etrian Odyssey V now that they've shown off DLC I can't just hold off on buying.
That's fair enough for this to be paid DLC as they're clearly putting lots of extra extra to make the FM songs. I like the music in Etrian Odyssey games, so this DLC would be tempting.
"there'll be paid DLC that'll switch background music to the FM sound source"
Eum, o.....k.....
"Yuzo Koshiro"
Well, I'm in!
Oh yes, I wants.
It would be nice if this were included as an unlockable extra ala the GB Sounds item in Heart Gold/Soul Silver. I'm not sure how I'd have felt having to pay for that... It wasn't necessary to include it, but it was a lovely touch and wonderfully nostalgic for anyone who had played through the originals (which I imagine was a decent chunk of people who bought the game).
Ah that's so cool sounding
@MysteryAozz Yes. Yes you should.
Now that is what I call "worthwhile optional DLC". Umph, that's some goood synth...
I can't help but think the music option should just be a part of the base game. Make DLC something extra, like a new chapter or something...
Why does everyone like the FM music so much? When I played Untold 2 (my first EO game), I vastly prefered the orchestrated tracks, with Woodland Ruins and Battlefield - The first Campaign being my favorites/
If anybody out there is interested in making some FM synthesized sounds of their own I HIGHLY recommend the KORG Volca FM synthesizer. It just came out a few months ago and it is sooo much fun. Plus it's only $160. Check it out!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VolcaFM?adpos=1t1&creative=114582387841&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=CIyCmIeN5c0CFcokhgodCSIKuA
@filterclay
Well aside from the untold games they always has either FM or orchestrated as the standard(1-3 FM 4-5 Orchestrated)
Untold only had both because they were remakes and the FM already existed. They have always made only one new or remastered set of tracks per game,
Why would this not come to Weatern shores? I'd imagine February 2017 at the latest. Day 1 for me at any rate.
@Pikachupwnage Yep, I know and I loved when the original FM music was also brought to Untold!
But the novelty here is making it a paid DLC - a paid extra for a feature that could be in the game at no extra cost.
Anyway, it seems more clever than just selling a CD OST.
Would be nice if we could get it as a download as well
@SfaFreak I recommend you play EO III, then. Or, at the very least, give its soundtrack a listen.
There's also the bit about these games taking after old-school dungeon crawlers, too. Down to drawing the map manually.
I'll probably stick with the orchestrated version during the game (the previous scores in the series are some of the very best I've ever heard), but I'll definitely buy the FM version on CD if it's ever available (which it almost definitely will be).
i must simply be THAT old as what i know of the fm sound is listening to the radio. had no idea it was considered a retro sound now.
@SfaFreak Nostalgia. AKA the reason this franchise exists in the first place.
So with some cash, I have a choice for the game to sound like the first three games, or the three most recent games?
I'm in.
@Maxz That's what they did in the two EO remakes, including the original soundtrack for no extra cost.
I don't mind it as much here, since they're is no 'original' soundtrack, so they have to create the same song twice.
Not really a fan of this nickel and diming on Atlus' part, especially when the Untold games include different versions of the same OST for no extra cost.
This was already a free feature of the untold games. So why is this DLC now?
The sample sounds good, and it really brings back the nostalgia.
I had no doubt I would get EOV if (WHEN) it gets to the west, but now I'm wondering over paid DLC... hmmm....
wow yea!
Yuzo Koshiro handling the classic FM synth soundtrack version? Awesome! Having to pay for DLC to hear it in game? ...A terrible precedent. The whole point of paying for a soundtrack is to have the highest quality version of it, and the in-game version, while good, is not going to be as good as the pressed disc or FLAC version. There's no reason to have to pay for the in-game version. Koshiro should be getting paid enough already, and so should the sound programmers who work the soundtrack in.
I'll pass on paying for this when I get the game, I'll just listen to the tracks when they're inevitably posted on YouTube. And maybe also buy the soundtrack, if it has everything on it- stay tuned for a soundtrack review on sites like RPGFan for that.
@SfaFreak There is a certain timbre to FM synth chips like the Yamaha series that flourished in the late 80s / early 90s that just cannot be recreated or matched. There are certain sets of emotional situations which can be communicated more uniquely through FM than regular or electronic instruments. I think the final boss battle of Etrian Odyssey 3 is good example of that. Basically, it's a heavy metal track without using heavy metal instruments. That might sound crappy, but when you listen to it, it doesn't feel weak at all. That's due to the unique timbre of FM synth.
Wow! The "orchestral" soundtrack is pretty fantastic too, but the FM tunes are outstanding!
@Spoony_Tech I'm alive...but not necessarily kicking. Works a $%#$%@# and I've been have back problems recently. AND...I got a PS4 for Fathers' Day, so that has been keeping me busy!
@MERG I'm the king of back problems but now I know how to maintain them much better then in my past. Hope you feel better soon and are able to manage them. Once they start they never truly go away. Oh and don't forget Nintendo or more importantly Atlus!
@Spoony_Tech I've had back issues on and off for a while but lately it has been relentless.
I could never forget Nintendo or Atlus (I"ll be able to play Persona 5!). And I plan to get the NX when it comes out.
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