Are you a Nintendo DS owner looking for your next choice in gameplay or are you a RTS or RPG gamer just wanting something a little different? If you answered yes to either of these questions then Mystery Dungeon Shiren the Wanderer by Sega does bring about something a little different. For some this different will be worth your money, for others you will wish you had just rented it first. Luckily for business/franchise owners, everyone doesn’t have the same likes and dislikes. Shiren the Wanderer is similar but also very original in relation to several other games that you may be familiar with: Curse of the Demon Seal, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Izuna, etc. and on the other hand simple despite its similarities it also has several aspects that makes it very different and in some very frustrating.
The adventure of this RPG begins of course by making exploring and at the same time fighting a true adventure while making your way through the dungeons. The adventure begins when you enter your first dungeon and continues until you make your way to the exit and hopefully advance to the next level. As you battle your way to each exit be very careful and take in all the information during play that you can because you will definitely find it to be useful when playing again especially after getting yourself killed. I say this because you will have to start all over again from the beginning and you will find what you have learned very useful. One big disappointment in play is the frustration that follows after you get killed because you have to start all over from ground zero and also lose all your money and weapons at the same time which is totally insane and can bring out a lot of anger after a few times for sure. I found this insane enough to make me almost put the game up for good or at least for a very good period of time before playing it again. Taking in and learning everything you can during play can help prevent getting killed as quickly on your next trip around because your enemies can be very devious especially when you’re doing well. Understanding and learning tactics is the key to survival along with the ability to upgrade shields and weaponry.
During play one also can obtain very useful items, (in limited quantity of course) found in the dungeons to help during your adventure. Along with having to fight monsters one also must beware of the traps they have laid. Another option available is being able to store some of the items you have obtained for future journeys. These items can be stored and recovered in warehouses located at Canyon Hamlet and at Mountaintop Town warehouse. Here some characters will also give you helpful tips that you can use for you journey. Other options like buying and selling items can also prove to be very helpful, if desired just speak to the shopkeeper. Options like obtaining the Herb of Sight, using Riceballs, and Medicinal Herbs can also mean the difference between having to start all over again and advancing gameplay.
If after all you best efforts you still die, instead of having to start all over again you might choose to be rescued instead. This option is only available 3 times and your hero is available from a Wi-Fi connection friend if one is willing and wants to be a helpful soul at the time. The catch for them is instead of you having to start from ground zero its them who has to start from the beginning and work their way through the dungeons until they reach you.
A couple of main pointers for Shiren the Wanderer is always pay attention to your moves and your enemies and always save your data for more travel journeys. The graphics are a little lacking even for the normal DS quality which was a little more disappointing because it really could have been better along with the visual quality of some scenes. The outdoor scenery definitely looked better than the inside which is slightly ironic since the majority of the game is about dungeons, either way they should all have been better than the end result. The game does provide variety and can provide many hours of play especially if you hang with it and don’t give up from your frustration. This game for sure isn’t for everyone so check out your options before purchasing, read-up on it, rent it, or simply borrow it from a friend first.
