One of 2024’s best roguelike hidden gems is even better on Steam

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As a seasoned gamer with years of roguelike experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a hidden gem that deserves recognition. This game is a masterful blend of challenge and charm, a juxtaposition that’s as delightful as a chocolate-covered pretzel on a rainy day.

Although roguelikes have gained popularity over the past decade, the Mystery Dungeon series hasn’t received the recognition it deserves. While Pokemon helped increase awareness for Chunsoft’s unique approach to challenging dungeon-crawling games, it’s been a struggle to achieve visibility and acknowledgment. However, niche support has managed to keep the series alive, with the original character Shiren the Wanderer continuing his journey across six main games. The latest installment, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island (Shiren 6), was released exclusively on Nintendo Switch earlier this year but is now also available on PC. This makes it an ideal moment for RPG enthusiasts to discover one of my favorite underrated games of 2024.

Shiren, or Mystery Dungeon as a series, contributes something unique to the roguelike genre. These games have a distinctive console-based take on roguelikes, starting from the Super Famicom and preserving that essence while continually improving and evolving. The fundamentals include turn-based navigation and actions, unforeseen items, and a sense of mystery lurking everywhere. Their toylike aesthetic and cheerful tone soften the blow of failure, making these games surprisingly enjoyable despite their high level of challenge.

Shiren the Wanderer represents an intriguing contrast between challenge and appeal. Shiren, a humble explorer without words, is accompanied by his delightful companion Koppa, a chattering ferret. Together, they embark on adventures, often finding themselves in peculiar situations with eccentric characters and perilous predicaments. Despite their playful nature, the Mystery Dungeons are no laughing matter; a defeat in battle or a misstep could lead to a harsh return to the starting point, stripping Shiren of his items, money, equipment, and any earned experience. Unlike games such as Pokemon or Chocobo Mystery Dungeon, Shiren’s resets are extensive, leaving you to start over in many aspects.

On Serpentcoil Island, they’ve streamlined the gameplay significantly compared to previous Shiren games, removing many unnecessary features that made things complex. Although there’s a way to avoid starting over when you lose, it’s challenging to find and not foolproof. This new Mystery Dungeon feels more like the original Super Famicom games than the recent ones, such as Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate (Shiren 5). However, it’s not all about overcoming insurmountable challenges; there’s still room for enjoyment and success.

One intriguing aspect of Serpentcoil Island is its acceptance of failure as a part of the process. It’s not about reaching the end; it’s about the journey and the experiences along the way. Each milestone you reach, each discovery you make, is worth celebrating. Interestingly, setbacks often lead to new opportunities, such as unlocking new systems, meeting fresh characters, or finding alternative paths or unique challenges. Some of these characters may even decide to accompany you on your adventure, and they maintain their levels throughout your journey, offering a subtle advantage without lessening the challenge you face.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel exhilarated when it comes to Shiren 6. The game doesn’t end when you see the credits rolling; instead, it’s just getting started! The postgame is massive, filled with new dungeons, characters, and intriguing storylines waiting to be discovered.

Initially, it appeared as if Shiren was in a difficult situation, given the struggle of the last game to find a thriving environment. The PlayStation Vita clearly wasn’t going to aid Shiren in finding a new fanbase. However, it ultimately made its way to the Switch and PC via Steam, paving the way for Serpentcoil Island. Launching exclusively on Switch in 2024 isn’t as challenging as being exclusive to PlayStation, but performance was an issue. The switch from the previous game’s 2D style to 3D presented a risk that the Switch version might encounter some performance and resolution problems, and unfortunately, those problems materialized. While it’s not a terrible experience, it can be a bit blurry and somewhat shaky.

Currently on Steam, Serpentcoil Island is running optimally. The 1080p resolution brings every intricate detail to life, such as the fading of Shiren’s hat and the worn-out areas that were previously indistinct. The frame rate is seamless, enhancing the experience of moving around in real time. Despite being a turn-based game, the tight and responsive controls make actions like diagonal aiming and navigating hub areas feel smoother. Since it’s not a resource-intensive game, playing on portable devices like the Steam Deck or other handheld PCs is still an option. I personally enjoy playing on ROG Ally due to its front-facing speakers that highlight the impressive soundtrack of Serpentcoil Island.

In contrast to other games in its series, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island stands out uniquely as one of the best. It’s a refreshing take on the classic Mystery Dungeon gameplay, emphasizing simplicity and enhancing its charm and difficulty. Additional features are skillfully incorporated, making them stand out without overwhelming the overall experience. The visuals have a playful, vibrant appeal that truly shine on advanced, high-resolution devices, with the Nintendo Switch version still offering an excellent gaming experience. If you’re a fan of roguelikes and haven’t yet embarked on this year’s Shiren adventure, it’s worth giving it a try before 2024 ends.

Explore the enigma-filled dungeons of Serpentcoil Island with Shiren the Wanderer, now accessible on both Nintendo Switch and personal computers. Kindly note that this review is based on a code provided by the publisher for the PC version.

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2024-12-12 03:27