Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island Reviews
It may have taken over ten years to finally come out, but Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a new high-water mark for the storied roguelike franchise. Its masterful blend of uncompromising difficulty with a wealth of content to overcome makes for a game that'll easily keep you satisfied for dozens of hours as you learn its tricks. Combine that with some cool online features and a charming art style, and you've got a game that's an easy recommendation for any roguelike fans out there. This is a tough nut to crack, but the experience is well worth it.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a phenomenal Roguelike for fans of tradition.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is the gold standard for mystery dungeon games. Every system, item, and mechanic come together in endlessly dynamic ways, reaching levels of emergent and exciting gameplay that I've never experienced in the world of roguelikes.
Shiren's latest adventure proves that game sequels can benefit just as much from what they remove as well as what they add.
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: 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.
Shiren the Wanderer may have pioneered the roguelike genre, but this latest entry sure hasn’t advanced it in any positive way.
The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a triumphant return to the Shiren series, roughly 14 years after the last mainline entry. It benefits from an ever-expanding story, a cast of colorful characters, a revamped asynchronous multiplayer mode, and, most essentially, the same challenging tactical gameplay and extraordinary replay value that has defined the franchise for generations.
If you are already a fan of mystery dungeons or hardcore roguelike nightmares, you’re going to have a lot of fun. If the prospect of luck-based scenarios and cruel difficulty seem unappealing, then Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island will give you a thousand-yard stare. This is not for the faint of heart and demands only gamers with steely resolve, patience, and a bit of luck.
This is one of those shorter reviews as I don’t have much else to say. Almost everyone knows what a roguelike is, and Shiren the Wanderer is a classical roguelike in every way. However, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is one of the most perfectly executed, impossible-to-put-down examples of the genre, and for that reason it’s essential.
Even if you're not dabbling in the worldwide mystery dungeon web, Shiren 6 is still a beefy game that holds a wealth of secrets. The main dungeon is only 30 floors, but by progressing through the game, you can unlock various shortcuts and side dungeons that usually come with a greater challenge and an even greater reward. This is a flavor of game that might not be for everyone, but if you're looking for a thoughtful, challenging game that constantly evolves and builds, Shiren's journey to the mysterious Serpentcoil Island might be perfect for you.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is an extremely polished and deeply enjoyable entry in the franchise. It doesn't break the mold or introduce wild new gimmicks, but it focuses on giving you more challenges, more options, and making the basic experience shine. This is a fantastic entry point for newcomers and a welcome return to form for longtime fans. It is the embodiment of what Shiren the Wanderer should be: easy to pick up, difficult to master, and addictive enough that you keep coming back.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is another solid entry in the genre, and a decent starting point for newcomers (though I’d argue The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate is better for this due to its cheap price point). It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those that do brave Serpentcoil Island, you’ll find a rewarding roguelike experience to sink your teeth into.
This game is fun and addictive, but damn, it can be frustrating when you have a great weapon and items and then die, making you have to start from the beginning with nothing.
Even as a long-time fan of the franchise, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island surpassed my expectations and it will likely remain my favourite dungeon-crawling roguelike for many years. So, settle in with an onigiri or 2 and give it a go. 🏯
Shiren The Wanderer's sixth journey is very close to its other five, but that's not a bad thing. In a series of games so refined and unique, it doesn't take much to please the fan who has been waiting almost a decade for a new opportunity to climb a dungeon and die a lot in the process. And while there is an attempt to give this game its own identity with new mechanics, it doesn't break away from its established formula - which will inevitably put off many players. As much as the behemoth system is disappointing and the difficulty curve can be strange, The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is still a very solid experience for previous fans of the series, and a decent gateway for anyone who wants to experience this amusingly twisted legend of Sisyphus.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
"Get lucky before you die."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
It may have taken over ten years to finally come out, but Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is an unforgiving experience that will either make or break players. Success relies heavily on personal skill, luck, and meticulously planning every move to ensure survival until the very end. Yes, all the points I've made mostly sound negative but if you're the type who love a devilish challenge, I recommend this title. Otherwise, there are others that are much more lenient for players new to the roguelike genre. Like I said earlier, it's under the "love it or really hate it" category of niche entries.
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.
Overall this is an excellent sequel to the series and great addition for new players and experienced ones. After an 11 year wait since the previous title it feels good to say that Shiren is back.