A brand new Shiren for a brand new era.
Roguelikes are a dime a dozen in video video games as of late, however that wasn’t all the time the case. A handful of video games drove the recognition of the fashion greater than a decade in the past, however I bear in mind my first wondrous expertise was with Spelunky when it got here to Xbox 360 in 2012. I used to be shocked to see that Shiren the Wanderer – Japan’s preeminent ‘90s Rogue-inspired collection – hadn’t had a brand new entry designed because the modern-day roguelike explosion, as Shiren 5 (subtitled within the West as The Tower of Fortune and the Cube of Destiny) got here out initially in 2010, although with an upgraded Change launch in 2020. That recreation is nice, however the sixth and newest entry within the practically 30-year-old collection, dubbed Shiren the Wanderer: The Thriller Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, is a fair larger step ahead, enhancing on some novel on-line options and increasing the enjoyable and complexity of the superior and oft punishing franchise.
The visuals are essentially the most obvious change in Shiren 6, because the franchise sheds its pixel artwork roots for 3D visuals. I used to be hesitant at first, however the implementation of the brand new artwork fashion matches the collection splendidly. Characters and enemies are expressive and the sport total appears to be like sharp on the Nintendo Change. I wouldn’t name the 3D visuals head and shoulders higher than 2D pixel artwork, however it in the end feels nearer to 6 of 1, half-dozen of one other when it comes all the way down to it.
The gameplay is refined however usually unchanged from the Thriller Dungeon fashion. By way of a novel narrative conceit the place the titular wanderer is destroyed by the eventual closing boss and awakens again within the beginning city with no reminiscence, Shiren units off to resolve the thriller dungeon of Serpentcoil Island. Flooring of the randomly generated dungeon are all grid-based and every transfer or motion you make is a flip. While you take a flip, different enemies and NPCs throughout the ground additionally take an motion. The emphasis is on considerate technique, making use of the objects and scrolls you discover to navigate traps and defeat more and more tough hordes of enemies. While you lose all of your hit factors, you begin again on the first flooring with none of your objects or gear.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply there isn’t development. You possibly can uncover alternate paths and discover totally different facet quests as you probably fail quite a few runs. The development isn’t present in level-ups or gear, however in data. You’ll be taught the weaknesses of various enemies and the effectiveness of various objects. You’ll be taught when to get the hell out of a dungeon and when you’ll be able to dangle again and choose off foes. Whereas I generally wished there was a better problem setting, I had a blast making an attempt to utilize my stock to remain alive within the lethal thriller dungeon.
While you do inevitably die, you may make use of the rescue system. Initially launched again in Shiren the Wanderer on Wii, the rescue system is an ingenious on-line part the place, whenever you fail, you’ll be able to request a rescue from a web-based participant. While you try rescues on-line, you additionally earn Support Factors, which can be utilized to make your future rescues simpler, letting you begin at the next degree or with extra well being. Even if you happen to’re offline, you’ll be able to rescue your self (although you don’t get Support Factors that approach). Throughout the assessment interval, I primarily rescued myself, which was a enjoyable and distinctive problem in and of itself. Whilst you can solely be rescued thrice over the course of a run, it’s a pleasant choice to have for whenever you get pantsed deep into the dungeon.
Rescue isn’t the one neat on-line characteristic. You may also let different gamers attempt your present run whereas utilizing Parallel Play, which creates a save level mid-dungeon you can share with others to see who can do the very best. That, mixed with a few of the stream-friendly UI choices, makes Shiren extra a web-based expertise than I ever would have anticipated once I was getting my ass kicked by punishing dungeons again within the 2000s.
Even if you happen to’re not dabbling within the worldwide thriller dungeon internet, Shiren 6 continues to be a beefy recreation that holds a wealth of secrets and techniques. The principle dungeon is simply 30 flooring, however by progressing by way of the sport, you’ll be able to unlock varied shortcuts and facet dungeons that often include a better problem and a fair better reward. This can be a taste of recreation which may not be for everybody, however if you happen to’re in search of a considerate, difficult recreation that continuously evolves and builds, Shiren’s journey to the mysterious Serpentcoil Island is perhaps good for you.
