Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
- January 25, 2024
- Spike ChunSoft
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.
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.
Reviews
- Easily the best entry point for new players in the series, with great replay value and story depth.
- Beautiful graphics on TV, reminiscent of the Zelda Links Awakening remake, and addictive gameplay.
- Highly recommended for fans of the genre, with a vast amount of content and a full cast of monsters from previous games.
- The game may not appeal to those unfamiliar with true Roguelikes, as it features permadeath and can be punishing.
- Some players find the character art slightly off-putting at first, though it may grow on them.
- The font color can be difficult to read in certain areas, especially from a distance.
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised as highly accessible for newcomers while offering depth and complexity that can engage more experienced players. It is described as addictive and visually impressive, particularly on OLED displays.
“I think this is the best entry point for new players, and going back to the other games after this one reveals much more advanced mechanics.”
“The depth of gameplay is absolutely unrivaled.”
“Very addictive gameplay, and it looks beautiful on OLED screens.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that the story unfolds gradually, with more depth and details becoming apparent the longer they engage with the game.
“The longer it takes you to beat it, the more the story reveals itself.”
“The narrative is rich and unfolds beautifully as you progress through the game.”
“Each decision you make adds depth to the story, making every playthrough unique.”
“The longer it takes to beat the game, the more the story reveals itself.”
“The plot feels disjointed and fails to engage the player.”
“Character development is shallow, making it hard to care about their journeys.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game offers strong replayability, particularly for those who complete it quickly, as it encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Even if you finish it quickly, the game has great replay value.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
“With multiple endings and different character paths, you'll find yourself coming back for more.”
Critic Reviews
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island Review
Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is an excellent addition to the franchise. It combines narrative and roguelike dungeon crawling to offer a challenging yet rewarding adventure. Unlike other games that rely on tutorials, this game doesn't hold your hand and is enjoyable for both veterans and newcomers. This latest installment introduces a captivating new setting and multiplayer modes, and also refines the gameplay with quality-of-life improvements. Additionally, the game features a dynamic online rescue system, making it stand out in the mystery dungeon genre. It is a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
80%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.
98%Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island (Nintendo Switch)
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a turn-based, roguelike adventure that will help skeptics understand the appeal of such games. Frustration is part of the fun. And although the gameplay can feel unfair, every attempt to beat it is a joyful run.
90%
