What a great game. I didn't know what I was expecting when I first started this game, I just thought I should play something from Xbox Gamepass. This one really worth it.

- Soundtracks is really good. It added depths while reading the story and it stirs emotion especially on boss battles.
- Battle is simple and fun, the delay system challenges you to use different character at a time. I appreciate Socks and Chick the most because of their debuffs. Feel a bit repetitive when doing filler battles but still appreciated.
- The gameplay loop is okay, it's just that the Intermission activities gets a bit tedious down the line, but it's a good addition so we see interaction between characters.
- Story is the strongest part of this game, It's very interesting as the world lore is rich. Each children has their own personality and interesting story to share, it made me want to save everyone.
- The world is built and I'm so excited to see more of it.

The first Etrian Odyssey I've finished even after playing the first 3 games extensively.

Classes are more similar in from the first 2 games rather than expanding from 3rd. They feel balanced and everyone is real fun to play.
Labyrinths is not too deep anymore, because instead of one big, you'll be raiding numbers of them throughout a vast land.
Sky Exploration is your way to traverse between labyrinths. I'm not very fan of this.
Story as always is not the main ingredients of the game. You'll still have the freedom to create your character story. If you're like me, I always find myself creating interaction between my characters. 😂
QoL Improvements is very noticeable. This is the main reason it's so hard to backtrack to playing the first 2 games.

I hated it at first because I struggled so much on how difficult it is without using the Plume. Apparently there is 3 possible ending and sacrificing them at first play through is actually by design. After knowing this, I felt OK about using the Plume and the difficulty became more sensible.

+ The main story is okay. I'm yet to finish all the ending so I might change my perspective later about this.
+ The world lore is a bit cliche politics but quite enjoyable.
+/- Allies and their short stories for me is the best part of the game. But since the game doesn't know if any of them was lost due to Plume, they end up soul less NPC you carry around, they will never talk again after their introductory chapters.
- SRPG-wise, I don't like it. The battle is tedious at times. Enemies are lazy. Rescue mission is hard. There is no chance to scout the field so you'll know who to bring.