Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer review

An old school, turn-based dungeon crawler, for better or worse

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GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Intense

  • +

    strategic gameplay

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    Intriguing "puzzle" dungeons

  • +

    Quirky characters

Cons

  • -

    Random generation can be stupid

  • -

    Dying makes you lose everything

  • -

    WiFi feature isn't too useful

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An update of a Super Nintendo Entertainment System title, Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer is an old-school, turn-based dungeon-crawler. It's slow, intense, and unforgiving - all of which might be a turn off to gamers weaned on modern titles - but for those that appreciate old-school sensibilities, Shiren the Wanderer offers dozens of hours of slow-burning fun.

The action and movement in this game are completely turn based, which makes for a slow game. The deliberate pace is somewhat necessary, since players have to be mindful about every step they take - a zig in the wrong direction can make the difference between escaping a dungeon and being devoured by a monster that's way too powerful to defeat.

More info

GenreRole Playing
DescriptionFor those with old-school sensibilities, Shiren the Wanderer offers dozens of hours slow-burning fun. For the rest of us: death and burning.
Platform"DS"
US censor rating"Everyone"
UK censor rating"Rating Pending"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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