Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer Image
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer
Sega
Release Date:
Metascore
69
Based on
27 Critics
User Score
8.1
Based on
19 Ratings
Summary Back to top
On a quest to the mystical Lair of the Golden Condor, Shiren the Wanderer and his weasel ally, Koppa, venture through treacherous lands in an attempt to solve the mystery surrounding this legendary realm. Many other warriors have set out on this quest but none have survived the long, perilous journey through deep caverns, vast forests, and dangerous mountain passes. Filled with ferocious monsters, hidden traps, and thieves, the road to the Lair of the Golden Condor is not for the faintOn a quest to the mystical Lair of the Golden Condor, Shiren the Wanderer and his weasel ally, Koppa, venture through treacherous lands in an attempt to solve the mystery surrounding this legendary realm. Many other warriors have set out on this quest but none have survived the long, perilous journey through deep caverns, vast forests, and dangerous mountain passes. Filled with ferocious monsters, hidden traps, and thieves, the road to the Lair of the Golden Condor is not for the faint of heart. Shiren is determined to succeed and claim the riches that await the first hero to reach the mythic land. In this classic RPG, you'll move in a turn-based manner through randomly generated dungeons that provide a great challenge and lasting replay value. Outwit your enemies using advanced tactics and clever puzzle solving skills while finding mysterious items, numerous spells and other equipment to help you on your journey. If you can survive to solve the mystery, you'll find the fortune that you seek. [Sega]… Expand
Starring: Ryuichi Sato, Hayato Matsuo, Shigeyuki Sakakibara
Developer: ChunSoft
Genre(s): General
# of players: 1 Player
Cheats: On GameFAQs
Rating: E
see all Details »
Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
10
Mixed:
17
Negative:
0
91
The A.V. Club
By hooking up to the Internet or a nearby friend, a fallen Shiren can call for help. If another player hears his plea and pulls off the rescue mission, Shiren is revived, goodies intact.
Read full review
86
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Success is 30 percent planning, 30 percent persistance, and about 80 percent luck--making for a challenging, infuriating, but deeply rewarding experience. [May 2008, p.89]
80
Zentendo
Shiren the Wanderer is the most brutal of the above games in every sense, with severe punishments for slight miscalculations.
Read full review
70
Video Game Talk
Thankfully, there’s a rescue function, or else Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer would be endlessly difficult for many. Instead, it’s simply a tough, deliberate RPG that’s still worth the time for its challenge aspect.
Read full review
66
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
Some will loathe it and some will love it, although you can be sure that the former will be in the vast majority. [May 2008, p.74]
65
PALGN
While some will be turned off by the challenging gameplay and the less appealing visuals, those seeking an old-school gaming experience should look no further.
Read full review
50
Gamer.nl
Shiren the Wanderer was a nice concept back on the Super Nintendo. It's not that the game is unplayable, but it ruins your joy when you lose all you have accomplished when you're killed. The game doesn't make much use of the Nintendo DS functions. It would have been better if the game was released on the Gameboy Advance.
Read full review
see all Critic Reviews »
User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
9
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
10
Brandis17
Nov 23, 2012
A wonderful roguelike! This masterpiece is filled with various enemies with intriguing and sometimes hilarious (turned into a riceball!)A wonderful roguelike! This masterpiece is filled with various enemies with intriguing and sometimes hilarious (turned into a riceball!) abilities. An old-fashioned roguelike, yet with good and pleasant graphics!
I have beaten the game, finished the kitchen god's shrine and the scroll cave (two bonus dungeons)
and I am still trying to win fay's final puzzle (a 99 floor dungeon of awful difficulty), and so far so good!!!!
My favorite game. If you hate difficult games and permanent death though, then stay away!… Expand
10
IshmoksA.
Jul 11, 2008
This game is the most satisfying game I have ever played. This game is all about tactics and strategy will snappy game play. Its like diabloThis game is the most satisfying game I have ever played. This game is all about tactics and strategy will snappy game play. Its like diablo but deeper and not about whacking creatures. this game is where the real life XP counts and not just in game XP. I've been playing Nethack for about 9 years, Shiren is the only game that is at par with it. No wonder the japanese have a fascination for roguelike games on consoles....its all because of Shiren. If I could get all the versions of this game, (Wii, N64, DS, SNES, etc.) This is the game that you will play over and over, and will definitely come back to after getting sick of the latest game in the market. Game play rules them all!!!… Expand
10
EricRyan
Mar 26, 2008
This is simply the best rogue-like game ever made. I've spent over 20 hours and haven't gotten past the 3 Trials area of the gameThis is simply the best rogue-like game ever made. I've spent over 20 hours and haven't gotten past the 3 Trials area of the game (about dungeon level 20). Yes, you die, but you learn from your deaths and the NPCs grow and change over time - so the game is constantly changing.… Expand
10
DJT
Aug 7, 2008
Don't let the reviews fool you. This is an awesome adventure game for casual and hardcore gamers alike.
For those of you unfamiliar withDon't let the reviews fool you. This is an awesome adventure game for casual and hardcore gamers alike.
For those of you unfamiliar with the 1983 game Rogue, here is the link on some information about the original: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_%28computer_game%29

Anyway, as a young nerd, I found this game ridiculously addictive (although primitive) because of it's random item/monster/dungeon mechanics. It was a different adventure EVERYTIME! It was perfect for the A.D.D gamer in me! Although there was an actual goal to the adventure, I found myself playing just to try and accumulate as much gold as I could for a high score!

Mystery Dungeon offers the same classic mechanics in a wonderfully dressed up adventure game. It's hard, it's addictive, but most of all, it's FUN! Lots of replay so you don't have to trade it in to gamestop in a week. I've played izuna and although that is fun, Mystery Dungeon is the closest to the classic Rogue experience from the 80's. Hardcore RPG fans are going to need to adjust to the type of game Mystery Dungeon is, and while there isn't a huge final fantasy 5000 dramatic story, there's a lot of hacking and leveling up to do!

PICK THIS UP.… Expand
9
jeffkocan
Apr 9, 2008
It's a shame that so many "professional" reviewers completely missed the point of this game, although it's kind of understandableIt's a shame that so many "professional" reviewers completely missed the point of this game, although it's kind of understandable since roguelikes are a pretty niche-y genre. If you have some patience and enjoy a challenge, Shiren is easily one of the most enjoyable games you'll find on the DS. Give it a chance before it's out of print - you probably won't be disappointed.… Expand
9
soes757
Aug 21, 2011
Holy crap!
This is amazing!
Sooooo amazing. Graphics: On my way in from Angband the graphics are heavenly. They aren't to much and they're notHoly crap!
This is amazing!
Sooooo amazing.
Graphics: On my way in from Angband the graphics are heavenly. They aren't to much and they're not shiny or anything.
They're simple sprite sheets and they work for the type of game.
Gameplay: The controls are simple
A: attacks.
Y: open inventory.
Crosskeys/ touch screen: Move shiren.
You think its all easy then you die lose everything and have to navigate the dungeon with no weapons shields or healing items.
Sound: The music and sounds work but nothing flashy and over the top.
The game gets a nine out of ten for effort and succeeding in making a new Rougelike game for the DS.
If you enjoy Rouglikes go buy it.
Go buy it now.
You were supposed to have bought it tree lines ago stop reading.… Expand
8
Luigibarqs
Nov 25, 2012
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren The Wanderer is a DS game that is a remake and translation to a japan exclusive Super Famicom version of the game. TheMystery Dungeon: Shiren The Wanderer is a DS game that is a remake and translation to a japan exclusive Super Famicom version of the game. The game is a retro Roguelike Strategy RPG, and an extremely difficult and unforgiving one at that. Its a genre that is not for everyone. Trust me, you will die FREQUENTLY! The point of the game is to learn from your mistakes, replan accordingly and try again to get a little bit farther the next time, it feels extremely rewarding to finally pass an area you where struggling with earlier. For the people who are into these kind of games will find a fun, difficult and replayable Strategy RPG experience. The music and graphics are absolutely beautiful and fit the atmosphere of the game perfectly. and a large variety of different items and enemies for you to learn about and find a way to get as far as possible with the knowledge you gain. I'm not sure if this is a problem with my specific copy of the game, or all of them, but it appears the online server for doing Wifi rescues seems to no longer exist or function which is somewhat of a disappointment. Overall, its a fun yet difficult experience. If you have ever played a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game and want to play a much harder variation of the game, try taking a chance with this game. It seems to be fairly cheap as I had bought it in used condition for 5 dollars in Canada.… Expand
see all User Reviews »