The lack of enthusiasm American gamers have shown for Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer is depressing. Reading the comments viewers left on its GameTrailers page, it's clear that many just don't understand the appeal of roguelikes. Trust us, despite its SNES-level graphics and infamous difficulty, Shiren the Wanderer is an excellent game.
As for "the appeal of roguelikes," for us, it's always been about the satisfaction that comes from surviving with limited resources, relying on your wits to escape what initially seem like sure-death scenarios. If you're looking for something with more action (Mystery Dungeon games are all turn-based) and better graphics, you should probably look into an ARPG like Dungeon Explorer instead. Otherwise, expect Sega to ship out Shiren the Wanderer to North American and European stores around early March.
[Via Siliconera]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-18-2008 @ 2:30PM
nil said...
I love roguelikes, so this is a day one purchase. I would love to see the Wii version ported, but am quite content with the DS version being released domestically.
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1-18-2008 @ 4:53PM
Saphion said...
DSFanboy has this unusual power over me. Basically, they even vaguely appraise a game and then I rush out and buy it.
Normally, I wouldn't mind - DSFanboy's taste in games is epic and I've got some fantastic games thanks to it.
But the thing is I CAN'T AFFORD ALL THESE DAMNED GAMES!
Needless to say, Shiren is another one for the collection.
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1-18-2008 @ 7:40PM
crow said...
The graphics in this game are impeccable. I much prefer them to muddy 3D graphics force-fit onto the DS. Bamboo groves, thatch-roofed houses... Trying to pick out the tiles will give you an idea just how much work went into the scenes. And the music is amazing.
A personal update (I've got the Japanese version): last night, after trying for three months, I finally completed one of the bonus dungeon side quests. Some of the items that came in handy (other than a +40 sword ^_-) were a couple of "feel no pain" herbs, a "body double" staff, and of course a "wait for me at the exit" staff with 20 charges (note: these are all my smart-ass versions of their names).
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1-18-2008 @ 9:01PM
Brello said...
Graphics look great, I love nice spritework. The craptastic turn-based combat system isn't. This is why I lack any enthusiasm for it.
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1-21-2008 @ 3:37AM
KidIcarus3 said...
You do realize that you just insulted an entire genre? This game being real-time would be as drastic a change as the difference between turn-based and real-time strategy, and this is a style of game. Diablo is a good example of sacrifices that have to be made in the real-time design.
Have you ever played this game? If you haven't played a game like this, don't let the videos fool you. The game may be turn-based, but if you actually played you'd see that the game actually goes at whatever pace you want it to.
You can go at whatever pace you want to, time simply stops for as long as it takes for YOU to make a choice, and like KOTOR the uninitiated may at first glance think you're actually playing a real-time game. In fact, the system even lets you travel FASTER than you could in a real-time game, since that allows for a walk command to traverse distances instantly.
The combat isn't sluggish like in your typical JRPG. There aren't random battles, weak enemies don't slow you down much, since there's no battle screen transitions or ATB delays, and the turns elapse at appropriately quick speeds.
If this exact same game was made to be real-time, you would easily be overwhelmed and would die quickly, even with hotkeys. A real-time system is not ideal for this, and you're deviating from the subgenre by doing so.
Do you complain about Chess having a craptastic turn-based system too?
1-18-2008 @ 10:05PM
Joel Sanda said...
I can't wait for this - I've been playing roguelikes since rogue. If this lives up to the hype on DS Fanboy it'll be a keeper.
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1-19-2008 @ 4:25AM
masa said...
The only things disturb me in this game, this are the graphics. I beleived the screeshots from a GBA version. And when i watched the video that confirm my thoughts. The sprites are so little. i will hope the rest of the game is better.
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1-19-2008 @ 4:29AM
chispito said...
I love me some Rogue. And hate me some Aquatars.
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1-21-2008 @ 3:10AM
KidIcarus3 said...
Ah, this kind of game is destined to be ignored, and being a dungeon game it will probably get low scores from professional review sites. Don't fret though, for every one of those sites you're talking about, I personally went about making accounts solely to praise the game, at least on all the ones I could find. -_^
This game won't sell well, which is real unfortunate as we may not see another one leave Japan if it does too poorly, but there are assuredly many eager fans waiting (and importing, not myself though as I don't know Japanese) for the DS game, most of which have played the original SNES\SFC game with the translation patch through emulators.
I suggest everybody look into this game. It will be one of the best things to hit the DS since Meteos, which succeeded in destroying launch-title gimmick hell, and while we've had Izuna and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, this game will truly fill in that dungeon niche 100%. I for one can't wait for dungeon-crawling bliss on the go.
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