Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 45 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island Game Cover
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.
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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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews
graphics6 positive mentions
  • The game offers a rich and challenging roguelike experience with a charming setting inspired by Japanese mythology, making it accessible for newcomers while still rewarding for veterans.
  • There is a vast amount of content and variety in gameplay, with unique item interactions and mechanics that encourage exploration and strategic thinking.
  • The graphics and music are delightful, enhancing the overall experience, and the game is well-optimized for both PC and Steam Deck.
  • The game lacks mouse support, which can make navigation cumbersome for some players.
  • Some players feel that it is a downgrade from previous entries in the series, particularly in terms of features and overall gameplay balance.
  • The difficulty can be punishing, with many players experiencing frustration from frequent deaths and the potential for significant time investment without progress.
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay of Shiren 6 is accessible yet deeply strategic, featuring turn-based mechanics and procedurally-generated dungeons that challenge players with unique enemy behaviors. While the initial story campaign serves as a tutorial, it unlocks a wealth of post-game content that offers hundreds of hours of engaging gameplay, enhanced by quality-of-life improvements and charming visuals. The game successfully balances a return to its roots with modern enhancements, making it a rewarding experience for both new and veteran players.

    • “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.”
    • “It is well made, brings a lot of quality of life changes that make the inventory management much easier and the gameplay much smoother, and has a world filled with charming characters and beautiful traditional Japanese music.”
    • “Completing the main story dungeon is almost literally the tutorial for the game, and many hundreds of hours of gameplay await you after doing so.”
    • “Shiren 6 is a back to basics sort of game after 5/Tower of Fate overloads you with several mechanics.”
    • “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.”
  • story9 mentions

    The story is generally well-received, featuring a charming main campaign that unfolds through repeated attempts at dungeons, which many players find enjoyable and satisfying. While some newcomers may find the narrative simple, veterans appreciate the depth and unique mechanics that emerge after completing the main story, leading to extensive gameplay. Overall, the characters and side stories contribute to a compelling experience that keeps players engaged.

    • “Charming graphics and story, really loving this roguelike, it's hard but doesn't seem unfair.”
    • “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.”
    • “That said, the main story quest is still very satisfying and fun and has fun characters and set pieces, side stories etc. it's enjoyable on its own and will leave you hungry to tackle more once it all begins to open up.”
    • “I was not impressed by the story or the simple dungeons, but I am new to the series.”
    • “Completing the main story dungeon is almost literally the tutorial for the game, and many hundreds of hours of gameplay await you after doing so.”
    • “A small amount of metaprogression and a main story that progresses through different helps you along, but it's a hardcore dungeon crawler otherwise.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of the game are described as charming and reminiscent of the Nintendo GameCube era, featuring clean text and easy navigation. While some players prefer pixel art styles, the modern 3D visuals are generally well-received, contributing to the game's overall appeal and smooth performance on various platforms. Overall, the graphics complement the engaging gameplay and enhance the roguelike experience.

    • “Charming graphics and story, really loving this roguelike; it's hard but doesn't seem unfair.”
    • “This is a modern, yet genuinely old-school roguelike, with pretty graphics and accessible controls (designed for controller).”
    • “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.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and emotional impact, evoking nostalgia and enhancing the overall experience. It blends beautifully with the game's atmosphere, reminiscent of traditional Japanese melodies, and complements the charming characters and gameplay, making even failures feel heroic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly enriches the game's presentation.

    • “The music is seriously top notch and makes me nostalgic for a better time (check out the soundtrack on Spotify!).”
    • “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.”
    • “The music is phenomenal and the presentation is perfect.”
    • “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
    • “While the game has a unique atmosphere, the soundtrack feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
    • “The background music is forgettable and fails to evoke any emotional response, leaving the gameplay feeling flat.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in Shiren is deeply rooted in Japanese mythology and culture, providing a unique and culturally rich comedic experience that resonates with players.

    • “Shiren takes place in a world heavily inspired by Japanese mythology, culture, and humor.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Many users note that while the initial cost may seem high, the extensive content and high replay value make it worthwhile, offering a rich experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “The price tag may feel steep, but the amount of content and the replay value is insane.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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