Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

Spike Chunsoft returns to their flagship series with must-play entry for any fan of roguelike RPGs, delivering one of the most mechanically deep games I've played in years.

89%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding

94% User Score Based on 117 reviews

Critic Score 83%Based on 17 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom €39.99

Buy NowGet on Steam €39.99

About

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. and was released on December 11, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Shiren the Wanderer and Koppa arrive at Serpentcoil Island, drawn by a vision of a girl in distress and tales of lost pirate gold. As they explore the island's ever-changing Mystery Dungeons, they uncover secrets and treasures, with a powerful monster and its exquisite treasure waiting at the highest peak. Shiren must navigate the constantly shifting layouts, enemy encounters, and scant but crucial resources of the dungeons to save the girl and uncover the truth.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island screenshot

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 117 reviews

gameplay11 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Shiren 6 is a fantastic entry point for newcomers to the series, offering a polished experience with quality-of-life improvements and a charming narrative.
The game features a wealth of content, including numerous dungeons and mechanics that encourage strategic gameplay and exploration.
The visuals and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game.

The RNG elements can lead to frustrating moments where players feel their success is heavily dependent on luck rather than skill.
Some players may find the game overly punishing, with a steep difficulty curve that can be discouraging for newcomers.
The PC port has issues with controls and inventory management, which can detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The gameplay of Shiren 6 has been praised for its return to the series' roots, focusing on strategic, turn-based mechanics while eliminating unnecessary complexity from previous entries. Players appreciate the variety of dungeon designs, each with unique challenges and mechanics, as well as the introduction of quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall experience. The game offers a deep, addictive gameplay loop that balances accessibility for newcomers with rewarding challenges for veterans, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.
- “Some dungeons focus heavily on a particular mechanic (e.g., a dungeon mainly about turning into monsters), others are themed with bespoke item and monster pools, and a few are 99-floor dungeons that aim to test you in every aspect of the game.”
- “The gameplay, though it may seem simplistic at first glance, is deep, strategic, and very addicting.”
- “Every step, every turn can be a life-or-death situation; you will need to be smart with your items and abuse their effects and the game mechanics to your advantage.”
- “The initial dungeon is pretty light on the mechanics.”
- “I didn't realize how much I disliked the extra fluff and mechanical bloat of Shiren 5 until Shiren 6 arrived.”
- “Gameplay feels a bit different compared to Shiren 5, since they tried to go back to their roots; it takes a lot of inspiration from Shiren 1 & 2 but with a more modern approach.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
69%
12%
The story in the game is generally praised for its charm and engaging narrative, with many players appreciating the twisty plot that unfolds through the main and post-game content. While the main story serves as a satisfying introduction, it is the extensive optional dungeons and additional story elements that keep players invested, offering a wealth of content for both newcomers and veterans of the series. Overall, the storytelling is modernized yet retains the essence of the gameplay, making it a highlight for many players.
- “Main story dungeon is engaging, postgame content is incredible, story is surprisingly really enjoyable.”
- “On that note, the story is very charming, with a twisty storyline that ended up in a place I wasn't quite expecting by the end of the post-game's story content.”
- “I want to clarify one very important thing to know about this series off the bat - each of these games have a charming and enjoyable 'main story campaign' that unfolds as you make progress through the story dungeon over repeated attempts, and after you have completed the main story the rest of the 99% of the game's content opens up to you and blossoms into a full blown archive of amazing and unique dungeons with special rules and mechanics.”
- “I was not impressed by the story or the simple dungeons, but I am new to the series.”
- “Very similar, but with some extra options and light story elements tossed in, for flavor.”
- “A small amount of metaprogression and a main story that progresses through different helps you along, but it's a hardcore dungeon crawler otherwise.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
16%
16%
The graphics of the game have received a generally positive reception, with many players appreciating the charming 3D visuals that enhance readability and provide a polished look. While some fans of the series prefer the pixel art style of previous entries, the modern graphics are described as appealing and fitting for the gameplay, contributing to an enjoyable overall experience. The visuals are noted for their accessibility and compatibility with various platforms, maintaining a beautiful aesthetic throughout.
- “A grand timesink with fun writing and gorgeous visuals, well worth it.”
- “The game runs like a dream on Steam Deck and PC alike and still looks just as beautiful as the Switch version with its stunning art style.”
- “The shift to 3D graphics is subtle yet effective, enhancing readability and giving the world a fresh, polished look.”
- “A really nice selection of extra dungeons here with all the Shiren staples, though some with a new aesthetic flavor, still sinking my teeth into those at the moment.”
- “This is a modern, yet genuinely old-school roguelike, with pretty graphics and accessible controls (designed for controller).”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
17%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised as a standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting its soothing, immersive quality that enhances the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as phenomenal, nostalgic, and perfectly suited to the game's themes, contributing significantly to the player's experience. Overall, it is considered a top-notch element that complements the gameplay and design beautifully.
- “The music is an absolute standout, offering a soothing and immersive soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
- “The music is seriously top notch and makes me nostalgic for a better time (check out the soundtrack on Spotify!).”
- “The music is phenomenal and the presentation is perfect.”
- “It's like Dark Souls met a hiking trip gone horribly wrong—but with charming NPCs and a soundtrack that makes your failures feel oddly heroic.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Players find the grinding for better equipment manageable and less tedious than in previous games, thanks in part to the new 'notes' system that streamlines information gathering. However, while this system enhances resource conservation, it can still lead to tedious moments when resources are low.
- “Luckily, it's not too tedious to grind for better equipment, so easy come, easy go.”
- “Although many things (particularly QoL mechanics) have been added compared to the last game that came out over a decade ago, I believe that the biggest change was the introduction of the 'notes' system that tells you almost every single thing you can know about a specific thing or creature, including buy/sell prices for identifying items at the merchant, which used to be so tedious having to check on the wiki or notes taken by yourself.”
- “This is good in that it makes you conserve resources, but it can become tedious when you run low and are just grinding it out.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its extensive content and varied strategies, although some players feel that certain aspects lack depth. While the price may seem high, many find the replay value justifies the cost, especially for those who complete it quickly.
- “The price tag may feel steep, but the amount of content and the replay value is insane.”
- “If you beat it quickly, it has great replay value because of that.”
- “Their ideas, strategies, replayability, and depth do leave something to be desired in some places.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a standout, soothing soundtrack that immerses players and complements the overall experience effectively.
- “The music is an absolute standout, offering a soothing and immersive soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
- “The game's environment is richly detailed, creating a sense of realism that draws you into its world.”
- “Every sound, from the rustling leaves to the distant thunder, enhances the atmosphere and makes you feel truly part of the experience.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a heartwarming story centered on themes of perseverance and friendship, which effectively engages players emotionally from beginning to end.
- “And let’s not forget the heartwarming story.”
- “It’s a touching tale of perseverance and friendship that keeps you invested from start to finish.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Shiren is deeply rooted in Japanese mythology and culture, providing a unique and culturally rich comedic experience that resonates with players familiar with these themes.
- “Shiren takes place in a world heavily inspired by Japanese mythology, culture, and humor.”

Skip Critic Reviews

83%Critics’ scoreBased on 17 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

85%1.2kreviews

Tangledeep

2018

Tactical Role Playing

96%2kreviews

Moonring

2023

Open World Role Playing

95%4.8kreviews

Tales of Maj'Eyal

2013

Open World Role Playing

89%1.7kreviews

Jupiter Hell

2021

Arcade Role Playing Shooter

91%11.7kreviews

Lunacid

2022

Role Playing

More games like Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a role playing game with fantasy theme.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island was released on December 11, 2024.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island was developed by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd..

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a single player game.

Similar games include Tangledeep, Moonring, Tales of Maj'Eyal, Jupiter Hell, Lunacid and others.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

Platforms

About