The Nintendo DS is praised as a gaming platform especially for the novel ways in which the dual stylus and buttons input system can be put to good use in creating new and interesting ways of controlling the game. This has encouraged game creators to come up with titles that are specifically designed for the DS rather than simply port games from other platforms and without much modification.

In 2007, the classic RPG genre got a DS title in the form of Etrian Odyssey, a game clearly inspired by such classic titles as Wizardry and A Bard's Tale. The game challenges the player to navigate a rather large dungeon while killing enemies, casting spells and generally making sure he gets out in one healthy piece. One of the interesting points in Etrian Odyssey was that, in old school RPG tradition, you had to draw your own map on the DS touchscreen using the stylus. The game also featured turns rather than play out in real time and presented gamers with a very well crafted challenge, with numerous gamers saying that it was too hard to get through the game.

Now, publisher Atlus announced that Etrian Odyssey was at last getting a sequel, called Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard. The game promises to take the RPG experience on the DS to a whole new level. The areas will be more diverse, with outdoors segments promised, while the characters will have more customization available, including some new classes. The map drawing system of the previous game will be improved, too, with an option that let's players explore dungeons, while the DS takes care of the mapping. And, of course, there will be more and deadlier enemies to face.

Shigeo Komori, who was scenario designer on Etrian Odyssey, will take over directing duties, while composer Yuzo Koshiro returns for the sequel Heroes of Lagaard. First title veterans Yuji Himukai, who is character designer, and Shin Nagasawa, who designed the monsters, will also return. The title will be out on June 17 in North America.