Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer

GameZone (9 out of 10)

Shiren the Wanderer doesn’t coddle its players, but those willing to invest enough effort into the game are rewarded with a game that’s intricate, deep, and infinitely replayable. It’s one of the most addicting games I’ve ever played, and I doubt it will be leaving my DS anytime soon.

Retro Gamer (88 out of 100)

(...) if you want an adventure that always evolves, has a multitude of items to discover and is different every time you play then track this down.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) (B+)

Success is 30 percent planning, 30 percent persistence and about 80 perfect luck - making for a challenging, infuriating but deeply rewarding experience.

Cubed3 (8 out of 10)

Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer is a sublime example of the roguelike genre. Unfortunately, that means its probably going to turn off more people than it will turn on. Shiren takes no prisoners and demands that you rely on your own wits rather than an endless slog of level griding. It's a title which reminds you that games are supposed to be about the journey, and not the destination. Learning to play the game well is such a rewarding experience in and of itself that completing dungeons simply becomes the icing on the cake. It may not be a game for everyone, but those that can truly immerse themselves in Shiren the Wanderer will discover one of the most enjoyable experiences the DS has to offer.

Armchair Empire, The (8 out of 10)

Not everyone is going to take a liking to Shiren - it's a game where you need to actively seek out its pleasures, and other than some occasional advice from wandering NPCs, you'll need educate yourself by reading FAQs or interacting with other Shiren players. There are certainly a number of roadblocks you'll come across, and it's all too easy to blame the game for being too difficult, especially since there's a huge factor of luck that comes into play. There's almost no story here too, so gamers who look for strong narratives will be disappointed. But the game is still fairly well balanced, and when you die, it's usually because you made an error in judgment, or took a stupid risk. If you can come to terms with that, Shiren is one of the most intriguing RPG experiences on the DS, and the finest Japanese rouge-like out there. Now hopefully someone will see fit to localize the Wii-only sequel....

Eurogamer.net (UK) (8 out of 10)

It always gives you a fighting chance then waits patiently until you muck it up. Your average roguelike player's core weaknesses are impatience and false bravado. Not identifying cursed scrolls, not taking out that missile-wielding monster from afar with a lightning wand, not saving that healing herb... There's a sense that if only you'd planned two moves ahead you wouldn't be another death stat in the multitude. Which may not be the first thing on your mind when you've fallen into a monster-filled pit with a rusted shield and stepped on an immobilise trap, but there you go.

Eurogamer.de (8 out of 10)

Eigentlich müsste ich jetzt zwei Wertungen vergeben. Eine für die Masse der Spieler, was ich an dieser Stelle ausdrücklich nicht negativ konnotiere. Ihr wollt nicht ständig sterben und immer von vorn anfangen, ich habe Verständnis, es ist ok. Mystery Dungeons Note für Euch müsste recht niedrig ausfallen. Dies wäre aber dem Spiel und dem, was es ist und sein will, gegenüber unfair. Jenseits der Masse bietet es ein archaisches Konzept in Reinst- und Bestform und ein kleines Kunstwerk für alle, die sich Rogue-Fans nennen. Dies ist Euer Spiel. Kauft es. Sofort. Wer weiß, ob es noch mal eins auf kommerzieller Basis gegeben wird.

GameSpy ( )

Shiren is absolutely and utterly a game for the hardcore. Being flung back to level one for dumb luck or a simple error is infuriating, and Shiren lacks the storytelling polish that many gamers expect from their titles regardless of genre, but the core game is very well done. If all you want is a new hard-boiled dungeon-crawl with no window dressing (or Pokemon), then Shiren is just what you've been waiting for.

SEGA-Mag (Objectif-SEGA) (7 out of 10)

Avec son parti-pris ultra hardcore, Mystery Dungeon : Shiren the Wanderer sur DS va faire fuir du monde. La difficulté et la répétitivité de l'action rebuteront certainement, mais son côté stratégique et le sentiment d'apprendre réellement de ses erreurs est un moteur qui pousse à jouer encore et encore pour découvrir ne serait-ce qu'un étage de plus de ce roguelike incroyablement riche. Le titre n'a peut être pas beaucoup évolué, mais on comprend pourquoi après quelques heures. Tout avait déjà été pensé avec soin et rien n'est laissé au hasard, sauf le jeu qui lui au final, ne tient peut être que du hasard. Un concept diabolique, mais terriblement efficace.

Avid Gamer (7 out of 10)

Yet again, we’re presented with a title with does everything right, but doesn’t stand out, in our impressions or memories. It’s a well rounded title and a decent enough game but lacks the oomph factor. You’ll play it, enjoy it and then most likely move on to greener pastures. The developers should be proud of what they have achieved and you won’t feel disappointed spending your money on it, but it’s not a game that you’ll play upon the pinnacle. A good effort.

Nintendo Life ( )

Shiren the Wanderer is very much an acquired taste and is difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. The unforgiving nature of the gameplay, coupled with the outdated visuals and lack of an involving plot make this a niche title and it’s unlikely to establish the Mystery Dungeon franchise as a best seller in the West. That said, this is one of the most pure RPGs currently available and if you allow it to draw you in, it has the potential to offer hours of addictive gameplay.

4Players.de (69 out of 100)

Diese alte, aber immer noch reizvolle Spielmechanik hätte trotz der spartanischen Kulisse und der schwachen Story sogar für eine gute Wertung ausgereicht. Aber warum hat man diesen Klassiker nicht in einem wichtigen Punkt modernisiert: dem Speichersystem!? Ich hätte Shirens Abenteuer aufgrund seines nostalgischen Flairs und der Dungeonkultur sehr gerne eine runde 80 gegeben, aber das ewige Bei-Level-0-beginnen ist einfach zu frustrierend. Da kämpfe ich mich in der Karriereleiter nach oben und stürze nach einem Tod nicht nur alle Sprossen runter, sondern verliere auch noch alle Waffen und Gegenstände! Alles futsch. Dass man das über die selten dämliche, weil für niemanden ohne Freund mit Shiren-Spiel wirklich gut nutzbare Online-Hilfe kompensieren wollte, ist fast schon eine Frechheit. Schade, ich mochte diesen Ronin und seine Katana +12, aber ich wollte sie nicht zehn mal schmieden

Jeuxvideo.com (13 out of 20)

Destiné aux vrais puristes du dungeon-RPG, Shiren the Wanderer n'est pas à mettre entre toutes les mains. Ceux qui avaient découvert le genre avec Pokemon Donjon Mystère seront sûrement révoltés par le côté impitoyable du titre et devront donc y réfléchir à deux fois avant de se lancer dans cet enfer. Entre les mains des spécialistes, le soft pourra néanmoins exprimer tout son potentiel.

Officiel Nintendo Magazine (6.5 out of 10)

Un jeu à la difficulté d'un autre âge, qui récompensera les plus valeureux à la hauteur de leurs efforts. À conseiller aux joueurs en mal de challenge !

Game Revolution (C+)

If you can muster the strength and luck to make it through, there are extra puzzles and side-quests to give this brutal game some legs. Mysterious Dungeon is the anti-Zelda doppleganger, cute and unthreatening in its top-down stylings, but as potentially punishing and old-school as lurking demons come. Once again, the question is begged: Do you feel lucky?

Worth Playing (5.5 out of 10)

The worst flaw in any RPG is the lack of a decent save system, and in that respect, Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer is guilty as charged. This frustrating trait, combined with the mediocrity that's prevalent in the rest of the title, makes for a pretty poor showing. Unless you're a fan of ChunSoft's work in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series or thought that Ninja Gaiden was a piece of cake, I'd steer clear of this one.

Fragland.net (51 out of 100)

Sega has tried to republish Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, but just like in the game there is no second chance. Both the audio and the graphics make the game feel outdated. We had expected some new features like the better use of the two screens or some funny extra’s. Moreover, we understand that the current generation of games are way too easy, but a game without checkpoints or the possibility to save the game can be very frustrating. Are you looking for a traditional dungeon crawler, where your nerves are tested to extremes, then this is your game. Otherwise, let it be.

Gamer.nl (5 out of 10)

Shiren the Wanderer was op de Super Nintendo een gangbaar concept. Hoewel de game niet onspeelbaar is, wordt het plezier verpest door het feit dat je zo goed als alle vooruitgang kwijtraakt bij het doodgaan. Het maakt zeer weinig gebruik van de Nintendo DS-capaciteiten en had naar mijn mening beter uit kunnen komen op de Game Boy Advance. De die-hard (J)RPG-fan zou maximaal één punt kunnen optellen bij de score.

Legendra ( )

Mystery Dungeon nous fait redécouvrir le RPG à l’ancienne, avec un système bien rodé mais malheureusement peu accessible, tant la difficulté est élevée, ce qui en rebutera certains. Un portage tout de même de qualité, qui a le mérite de nous faire découvrir une saga qui a de quoi charmer certains joueurs (si si !). A faire si la difficulté vous séduit, et que recommencer dix fois un donjon ne vous fait pas peur.