Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New screens and story details for Shiren the Wanderer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/new-screens-and-story-details-for-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/new-screens-and-story-details-for-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/new-screens-and-story-details-for-shiren-the-wanderer/#commentsIn a developer blog post, Atlus editor Clayton S. Chan ("the "S" does not stand for 'Shiren'") described the upcoming Wii release of Shiren the Wanderer as a game in which "story plays a huge role," contrasting with previous Shiren games in which just enough story was presented to justify the gameplay.

In addition to exploring the mysterious Karakuri Mansion, Chan said, players can expect to "learn a bit about Shiren's relationship with [characters from his past], and you'll also learn quite a bit about Shiren's father and the ancestors of both Shiren and Koppa." Several post-game side stories will also help expand the storyline.

Shiren will be out on February 9. In addition to the new info posted on Atlus's site, we have screenshots in our gallery which prove that despite the emphasis on story, Shiren is still a traditional roguelike.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

JoystiqNew screens and story details for Shiren the Wanderer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusmystery-dungeonroguelikerpgshiren-the-wandererWed, 13 Jan 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: McDonalds reveals Pokemon Mystery Dungeon on WiiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/16/rumor-mcdonalds-reveals-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-on-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/16/rumor-mcdonalds-reveals-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-on-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/16/rumor-mcdonalds-reveals-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-on-wiiware/#commentsAccording to what has been identified as a pamphlet from a McDonalds location in Japan, Nintendo is preparing to launch three new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games -- on WiiWare.

A detail from the pamphlet shows an announcement of the WiiWare release of the three games, along with logos for Mystery Dungeon games called Susume! Hono no Boukendan, Ikuzo! Arashi no Boukendan, and Mezase! Hikari no Boukendan, which translate to Advance! Fire Adventure Team, Go! Storm Adventure Team, and Aim! Light Adventure Group!, respectively.

Since we don't even know if the pamphlet, presumably distributed as a promotion for the Mac de DS program, is real, obviously we don't have any more details about the games, like whether Mystery Dungeon series creator Chunsoft is creating them or if they are all variants of the same base game.

JoystiqRumor: McDonalds reveals Pokemon Mystery Dungeon on WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmcdonaldsmystery-dungeonpokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonroguelikewiiwareTue, 16 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Chocobo vs. chocobo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/26/ds-daily-chocobo-vs-chocobo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/26/ds-daily-chocobo-vs-chocobo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/26/ds-daily-chocobo-vs-chocobo/#commentsFiled under:


With two chocobo-centric games heading to the DS, cash-poor gamers may have to make a terrible decision: chocobo, or chocobo? Oh, the horror! They're both adorable, but one is packed with mini-games based on familiar stories, and the other is based on familiar (as in, old school) gameplay packed with aspects that will kick your ass. Similar in some ways, they are, but in the end? Very different.

If forced to choose, which would be your one chocobo game to rule them all: Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+ or Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes.

JoystiqDS Daily: Chocobo vs. chocobo originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocobochocobo-talesmini-gamesmystery-dungeonroguelikesquare-enixSun, 26 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Castlevania, Chocobo, and Valkyrie coming in October ... to Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/25/castlevania-chocobo-and-valkyrie-coming-in-october-to-japa/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/25/castlevania-chocobo-and-valkyrie-coming-in-october-to-japa/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/25/castlevania-chocobo-and-valkyrie-coming-in-october-to-japa/#commentsFiled under:

The Japanese release date for Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia might not seem like useful information to you readers out west, but the desperate, Castlevania-starved gamers among you will at least now know the exact day their import copy will begin its trans-Pacific journey towards their hands -- October 23rd, 2008.

Furthermore, considering that the US release for Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin was only three weeks after Japan's, we also now have a general idea of when Order of Ecclesia will see its stateside release -- mid-November.

Square Enix also has two titles scheduled to hit Japan during the tenth month, Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One (October 2nd) and Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Labyrinth of Time DS+ (October 30th), the latter being a roguelike remake of Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon.

Perhaps the publisher will keep the promise it made back in March to aim for simultaneous worldwide releases with its new titles? It's unlikely, but we can dream ...


JoystiqCastlevania, Chocobo, and Valkyrie coming in October ... to Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevaniachocobochocobo-talesfinal-fantasykonamilabyrinth-of-timemaze-of-timemystery-dungeonorder-of-ecclesiaportroguelikerpgsquare-enixthe-accused-onetri-acevalkyrie-profileFri, 25 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wark! Two Chocobo trailers waddle into view]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/wark-two-chocobo-trailers-waddle-into-view/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/wark-two-chocobo-trailers-waddle-into-view/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/wark-two-chocobo-trailers-waddle-into-view/#commentsFiled under:


Making sure that you get the message -- the message being "Chocobos are really cute; buy our Chocobo games" -- Square Enix has posted trailers for its two recently revealed fall-bound Chocobo titles, Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+ and Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes.

As you might be able to tell in the promotional clip and the game's title, Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon is an enhanced port of Chocobo's Dungeon (released in the U.S. for the Wii this week) with more focus on Final Fantasy regular Cid. Given the nature of roguelikes, this DS release doesn't look like that much of a "downgraded" experience compared to the Wii version!

The Chocobo and the Magic Storybook clip isn't nearly as epic, but if you're enough of a Chocobo fan to have read this far into the post, you'll likely want to watch it anyway. Jump past the break for more of the flightless, chubby bird.

Continue reading Wark! Two Chocobo trailers waddle into view

JoystiqWark! Two Chocobo trailers waddle into view originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocobochocobo-dungeonchocobo-taleschocobotalescidcid-and-chocobofinal-fantasylabyrinth-of-timemaze-of-timeminigamemystery-dungeonportroguelikesquare-enixtrailerWed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/16-6/22]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-16-6-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-16-6-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-16-6-22/#commentsFiled under:


Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Well, except for the PSP, that is. Sony's handheld is still as mighty as ever. Even so, the Wii toppled all the other home consoles once again last week, reclaiming its second-place spot:

The new Wii kid on the block in the charts is Mario Super Sluggers, which didn't sell as well as we thought it would, considering that it's a baseball game -- one published by Nintendo, no less. That's why we love Japanese sales so much, though. Just when we think we have the country all figured out, it goes and surprises us again.

Everything else Wii related is pretty much just business as usual, but check past the break to see where the games ranked in the top thirty and how much the top tenners sold.

Continue reading Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/16-6/22

JoystiqAnother Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/16-6/22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-week-in-japanbrawlchartsfamily-trainergamesalesjapanlinks-crossbow-trainingmario-kartmario-kart-wiimario-super-sluggersmedia-createmystery-dungeonshiren-the-wanderer-3smash-bros-brawlssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlwii-fitwii-playwii-sportsFri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Shiren 2 screens are all that and a bag of Shiren chips]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/new-shiren-2-screens-are-all-that-and-a-bag-of-shiren-chips/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/new-shiren-2-screens-are-all-that-and-a-bag-of-shiren-chips/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/new-shiren-2-screens-are-all-that-and-a-bag-of-shiren-chips/#commentsFiled under:



We couldn't decide which was more awesome -- these new screenshots for Shiren the Wanderer DS 2: Demon Castle in the Desert, or the fact that Chunsoft went out of its way in 2001 to promote the original Game Boy Color title, Shiren the Wanderer GB2, with bags of steak-flavored chips (In case you're late to the party, STW DS 2 is a roguelike remake of STW GB2).

So, we went ahead and featured both the crisps and an image of Shiren's long-lost and perpetually hungry brother, Pekeji, in our article image. Hopefuly, publisher Sega will have a similar potato chip promotion with STW DS 2! Even better, maybe they'll eventually localize the chips along with the game?

See also: Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared


[via Inside Games]

JoystiqNew Shiren 2 screens are all that and a bag of Shiren chips originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipschunsoftfushigi-no-dungeongame-boy-colormystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 25 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/2-6/8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-2-6-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-2-6-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-2-6-8/#commentsFiled under:

The top Wii game last week wasn't Mario Kart, or even Wii Fit. Rather, beloved roguelike Shiren got the coveted title, as Shiren the Wanderer 3 debuted in second behind the PS3's new Dragon Ball Z. The previously mentioned Nintendo games did show up in the top ten, though, along with Family Trainer.

We're happy to see both Smash Bros. Brawl and Battalion Wars 2 hanging tough in the top thirty; the previous week had us a bit worried. In hardware, though, the Wii remains sandwiched between the PSP and the DS:

Just click on past the break if you'd like to see how Wii software fared.

Continue reading Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/2-6/8

JoystiqAnother Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/2-6/8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-week-in-japanbattalion-wars-2brawlbwiichartsfamily-trainergamesalesjapanlinks-crossbow-trainingmario-kartmario-kart-wiimedia-createmystery-dungeonshiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-3smash-bros-brawlssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlwii-fitwii-playwii-sportsFri, 13 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Price Drop: Shiren the Bargainer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/price-drop-shiren-the-bargainer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/price-drop-shiren-the-bargainer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/price-drop-shiren-the-bargainer/#commentsFiled under:

If our constant championing of the genre has you ready and willing to try out a roguelike as soon as a cheap one comes along, then here's that discount dungeon crawl you've been waiting for!

In what looks to be a permanent price drop, retailers such as Amazon and GameStop have marked down their copies of Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer to $19.99, in-store and and online. Now you don't have to feel guilty about spending money on such a throwback game (with throwback graphics to match).

If you won't buy it for the fun of the game, buy it so that Sega will bring its sequel to the states!


[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqPrice Drop: Shiren the Bargainer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonchunsoftgamestopmystery-dungeonprice-dropsegashiren-the-wandererFri, 13 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/shiren-gb2-shiren-ds-2-compared/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/shiren-gb2-shiren-ds-2-compared/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/shiren-gb2-shiren-ds-2-compared/#commentsFiled under:



No more than a week after Shiren 3 for the Wii shipped in Japan, Chunsoft already has a teaser site and screenshots out for its next Shiren the Wanderer game for the Nintendo DS -- Fushigi no Dungeon: Furai no Shiren DS 2: Sabaku no Majou (Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer DS 2: Demon Castle in the Desert). It's a long title!

Seeing that this roguelike is a remake of a Game Boy Color title, we thought that this batch of new images would make for a great opportunity to compare the updated game's visuals to the original's. While we expected Shiren DS 2 to look pretty much exactly like the first Shiren DS game released in March, we're surprised by how similar Shiren DS 2 and Shiren GB2 (GBC) look based on the shots released so far.

Jump into our comparison gallery to see what we mean!


[Via Famitsu]

JoystiqShiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcomparisongame-boy-colormystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials-revisited/#commentsFiled under:

We're aware that we write about the Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer games much too much, especially considering that it's a niche series representing such a hardcore genre. But after playing Shiren the Wanderer DS, Chunsoft's remake of the original Super Famicom game and the first Shiren game brought stateside, it's hard for us to think of anything else but the other five Shiren titles that've yet to touch soil outside of Japan.

Chunsoft's recent announcement for Shiren the Wanderer DS 2, another remake, this time porting Furai no Shiren GB2: Sabaku no Majou (Shiren the Wanderer GB2: Demon Castle in the Desert), originally a Game Boy Color title, has only stoked the flames of our yearning. Though it's reckless to assume Sega will eventually localize the game as it did with the SFC remake, we've thrown caution to the wind, blinded by our optimistic heart's promises.

With that explained, hopefully you'll forgive us for featuring another piece on roguelike commercials less than two months after our installment on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon ads. Bring your talking weasel past the post break for two Japanese commercials from Shiren the Wanderer GB2's original 2005 release.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcommercialdemon-castle-in-the-desertfurai-no-shirengame-boy-colormystery-dungeonremakeroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererSun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 no longer a mystery]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-2-no-longer-a-mystery/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-2-no-longer-a-mystery/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-2-no-longer-a-mystery/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The latest issue of Famitsu confirms the rumored DS sequel to Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer. Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 is actually based on the second Game Boy game, Sabaku no Majou (Magic Castle of the Desert). It appears to be built on the same engine as the first DS game. The scans don't disappoint, featuring a ton of screens and character art of the new roguelike.

This new DS game will interact with the Wii Shiren the Wanderer 3 in some way, allowing players to "lend a hand." We believe this means that Shiren DS 2 players will be able to "rescue" Shiren 3 players over Wi-Fi, much like Shiren DS players can rescue each other.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer DS 2 no longer a mystery originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonroguelikerpgscansegashiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-2Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren 3's clockwork bosses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/shiren-3s-clockwork-bosses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/shiren-3s-clockwork-bosses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/shiren-3s-clockwork-bosses/#commentsFiled under: ,


Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3's setting, the Clockwork Palace, has given developer Chunsoft license to pit Shiren against some supremely freaky-looking mechanical monsters. Just the very existence of monsters in a Mystery Dungeon game is cause enough for fear, as any single one of them can kill you and erase all your progress. It almost seems like overkill, then, to design enemies that actually look creepy at all.

Famitsu has revealed some of the boss creatures found in the dungeon, including the five Ikusa Oni, a sort of Power Rangers-type organization, but made of monstrous samurai, and the Clockwork Kasha, a flaming cart with a Noh mask.

The Clockwork Giants aren't particularly frightening, but they're certainly weird. Both are mechanical heads with one pair of appendages each; one has hands and the other feet, and both have totally metal eyebrows.

JoystiqShiren 3's clockwork bosses originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonroguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-3Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Three things to get you excited about Shiren 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/three-things-to-get-you-excited-about-shiren-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/three-things-to-get-you-excited-about-shiren-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/three-things-to-get-you-excited-about-shiren-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,



First reason to be hyped about Shiren the Wanderer: The Sleeping Princess in the Clockwork Palace's release, even though no one has announced a U.S. localization yet -- Famitsu's review score: 35/40 (9 / 9 / 8 / 9). Though many consider Famitsu to be too forgiving with its reviews for highly advertised, big-budget games, the Shiren series doesn't seem to fit that description. For such a niche game to receive a high score like this, Chunsoft must have done something right!

Second reason -- See Asuka model pictured above (and past the break). We're not the type to leave figures of female anime characters posed around our rooms, giving women even more reason to run away from the mess we've made of our lives, but as we demonstrated with the Koppa remote stand preorder bonus, we have a weakness to Shiren merchandise.

As for our third reason, swing your sword to check for traps, and step past the break for a new Shiren 3 commercial. It features a collection of player deaths set to Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 -- what's not to like?

Continue reading Three things to get you excited about Shiren 3

JoystiqThree things to get you excited about Shiren 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-symphonybeethovenchusoftcommercialfamitsufigurefigurinemystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererstatueWed, 28 May 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two videos for third Shiren]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/two-videos-for-third-shiren/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/two-videos-for-third-shiren/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/two-videos-for-third-shiren/#commentsFiled under:


Usually with these niche and traditionally Japan-only titles, we spend the post complaining about missing out on another potentially great game, as we did with our last Shiren the Wanderer post. But with Sega's recent localization for the Shiren the Wanderer DS remake and with the Wii game's U.S.-friendly title -- Shiren the Wanderer 3: Karakuri Yashiki no Nemuri Hime (Shiren the Wanderer: The Sleeping Princess in the Clockwork Palace) -- this game has a relatively good chance of making it to the states!

The clip above is from the Wii game's opening movie, one of two videos posted at Sega's official Shiren the Wanderer site. It's got airships, the titular Clockwork Palace, and everyone's favorite white weasel, Koppa. The other video, a four-minute promotional trailer, has all that and shots exploring the roguelike's dungeons, including their new enemies. Take a diagonal step past the post break to watch it!

Continue reading Two videos for third Shiren

JoystiqTwo videos for third Shiren originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 May 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonopeningroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 26 May 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Mystery Genre]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/ds-daily-mystery-genre/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/ds-daily-mystery-genre/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/ds-daily-mystery-genre/#commentsFiled under:


Roguelikes, specifically the Mystery Dungeon variety of the kind made by Chunsoft (and roguelikes made in the style of Chunsoft's Mystery Dungeon game), are booming. The list currently includes three DS Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, two Izunas, Shiren the Wanderer, Tao's Adventure, and homebrew games including Powder and Nethack. That's a lot of random dungeons.

Roguelikes are a very strange genre: death as an essential part of gameplay, and extreme difficulty in general, are unusual for the DS, and things like random dungeons seem archaic at first. If you've gotten into one of these, were you always a Mystery Dungeon fan? Or did the explosion of Mystery Dungeon games on the DS get you interested?

JoystiqDS Daily: Mystery Genre originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mystery-dungeonpokemon-mystery-dung...roguelikeshiren-the-wandererFri, 25 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[European dates for Etrian Odyssey, LOL, Pokemon Explorers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/european-dates-for-etrian-odyssey-lol-pokemon-explorers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/european-dates-for-etrian-odyssey-lol-pokemon-explorers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/european-dates-for-etrian-odyssey-lol-pokemon-explorers/#commentsFiled under:

News of a European release date for Super Smash Bros. Brawl has dominated coverage of Nintendo's latest European release schedule, but there are a number of tasty morsels on the list for DS owners.

For a start, the continent will finally be getting Atlus roguelike Etrian Odyssey, and it's about time -- lest we forget, the title made its U.S. debut last May! Notably, there are also dates (of varying specificity) for Race Driver: GRID (May), the new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games (July 4th), New International Track & Field (Q2 2008), and Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat? (June), the European version of Cooking Navi. "ArchimDS" appears on the list as well, though we presume this refers to LOL, or Bakushow as it'll be known in Euroland.

Add all of those to this morning's Final Fantasy IV announcement, and Europe has quite the line-up of games to look forward to. Check past the break for the full list!

Continue reading European dates for Etrian Odyssey, LOL, Pokemon Explorers

JoystiqEuropean dates for Etrian Odyssey, LOL, Pokemon Explorers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-attorneyadventurearchimebakushowetrian-odysseyetrianodysseyeuropeexplorers-of-darknessexplorers-of-timelolminigamesmystery-dungeonpartypokemonrace-driverrace-driver-gridracingrogueliketrack-and-fieldukThu, 24 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.

In advance of this coming week's Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2 releases, Nintendo has commissioned two commercials to herald the dungeon crawlers, one for each edition, Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.

Once again, this sequel adopts Chunsoft's Fushigi no Dungeon (Mystery Dungeon) design to allow gamers to play as a Pokemon. It's a solid set of titles, by most reports, but many genre veterans consider them inferior to games like The Nightmare of Druaga and Shiren the Wanderer.

Nevertheless, kids are crazy for the Pokemon branding, and the original GBA/DS Pokemon Mystery Dungeon releases went on to sell over 5.5 million copies worldwide. And that's why we now have a major publisher supporting an extremely niche genre with two separate commercials.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Been keeping up with sales figures from Japan recently? If so, you'll have noticed something unusual: for the first time in years, the DS isn't absolutely creaming the competition. Whether the PSP's resurgence will last is another debate for another post, but it hasn't been able to prevent Nintendo's handheld from taking top spot in fiscal year 2007.

The DS won in style as well, selling 6.34 million units (that's one DS sold every five seconds, FYI) and comfortably beating the Wii (3.74m sales) into second place. In case you're wondering, that sound you can hear is Iwata, Reggie, and Shiggy clinking champagne glasses on board their yacht of solid gold.

The gap between the Wii and PSP is considerably smaller, while the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 occupy fourth and fifth place respectively (mystifyingly, the PlayStation 2 wasn't counted). And it wasn't only hardware sales that Nintendo dominated -- the five best-selling games were all from the Nintendo stable, with Wii Fit, Mario Party DS, Wii Sports, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon doing the business. Make like Godzilla and stomp past the break for the charts.

Continue reading Big in Japan: DS coasts to fiscal 2007 victory

JoystiqBig in Japan: DS coasts to fiscal 2007 victory originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawlchartsjapanmario-partymystery-dungeonpokemonps3pspwiiwii-fitwii-sportsxbox-360Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren's dungeon delights and dangers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/shirens-dungeon-delights-and-dangers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/shirens-dungeon-delights-and-dangers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/shirens-dungeon-delights-and-dangers/#commentsFiled under:


Despite middling reviews and a limited audience due to its hardcore nature, Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer has established an impressive following, mini-communities of masochists spread about the internet's gaming districts. Of course, the dedicated GameFAQs forum is bustling with dungeon-crawling discussions, but NeoGAF and the Penny Arcade Forums are also fine venues for settling your roguelike affairs.

These communities are valuable hubs for not only finding a hero to rescue your felled wanderer, but also for trading stories of Shiren's grand escapes and even grander deaths. It was these sort of tales for the original Super Famicom release that impelled @Play's (a regular column on the roguelike genre) John Harris to seek the game and write up his own playthrough narratives. His accounts in turn inspired many other gamers -- including us -- to try out the Shiren, so you can imagine our anticipation to hear his impressions of Chunsoft's DS port.

John's latest @Play article is a must-read for any Shiren fan; he defends the title against misinformed reviewers, provides an introduction for those of you who haven't decided if Shiren is for you, and shares a huge list of tips for surviving your dungeon trip -- like how to decrease your chances of starving to death! Even if you aren't a Shiren fan yet, here's an opportunity for you to become one! Hit the "Read" link below for John's in-depth piece.

JoystiqShiren's dungeon delights and dangers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonsegashiren-the-wandererSat, 29 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mystery Dungeon solved with Pokemon preorder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/mystery-dungeon-solved-with-pokemon-preorder/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/mystery-dungeon-solved-with-pokemon-preorder/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/mystery-dungeon-solved-with-pokemon-preorder/#commentsFiled under:


As excited as we always are when it comes to free stuff, we're ten times more thrilled with this excuse to reuse our Unsolved Dungeon Mysteries image. What better way to introduce a paranomal Pokémon preorder?

To promote the April 20th release of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Nintendo is offering a free strategy book to anyone who reserves either edition of the roguelike. The Explorer's Guide will contain game tips, interviews, and an original manga from Ken Sugimori, likely similar to (if not the same as) Ginji's Rescue Team.

For the uninitiated, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, like Shiren the Wanderer, are all entries in Chunsoft's Fushigi no Dungeon series. Catering to the license's audience, Explorers will be significantly less difficult and punishing than its peers. Having a strategy guide on hand should increase your survivability chances even more! If you're looking to ease yourself into the dungeon-crawl genre, this is the game you'll want to try out.

[Via press release]

JoystiqMystery Dungeon solved with Pokemon preorder originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftexplorers-of-darknessexplorers-of-timeguidemystery-dungeonNintendopokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonPokemon-Mystery-Dungeon-Explorers-of-TimepreorderroguelikeThu, 13 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/metareview-mystery-dungeon-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/metareview-mystery-dungeon-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/metareview-mystery-dungeon-shiren-the-wanderer/#commentsFiled under:



Blame Shiren the Wanderer's old-school presentation and difficulty for its inconsistent scores -- some critics were able to overlook Shiren's frustrations in favor of its refined mechanics while others found the roguelike remake much too challenging and full of anachronistic elements.

1UP -- 83% (B+): Though Jeremy Parish saw Shiren as a humbling experience, he praised its rewarding depth: "The secret of victory in Shiren isn't brute force but rather a deep understanding of the game's possibilities ... The amount of depth to be extracted from the interaction possible among tools, foes, and random factors makes for one of the deepest portable RPGs you'll ever play."

IGN -- 65%: IGN seems to miss the point of the game's randomized dungeons among other features: "Far too often the dungeon's exit would appear in the same room we started, thus negating any need to explore that floor, unless we wanted some items that may or may not be there. It doesn't seem like it'd be hard to program the exit to not be in the room Shiren starts in ..." This is intentional, forcing adventurers to choose whether advancing to the next floor without risk is worth skipping potential treasures and experience points.

GameSpy -- 70%: GameSpy recognizes the roguelike's appeal while simultaneously noting the harsh limit of that appeal: "Shiren the Wanderer offers a lot of quality gameplay to a very small audience. What it does, it does very well. We're sure there's a small audience that will adore the game. We're also sure the majority of today's gamers will find it nasty, plodding, and archaic."

Our opinion of Shiren the Wanderer? Let's just say that we've barely put any hours into Super Smash Bros Brawl because of our quest to reach the Lair of the Golden Condor.


See also: DS Fanboy interview: Shiren the Wanderer

JoystiqMetareview: Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonremakeroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 12 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fanboy interview: Shiren the Wanderer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/ds-fanboy-interview-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/ds-fanboy-interview-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/ds-fanboy-interview-shiren-the-wanderer/#commentsFiled under: ,



With Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer shipping out to stores tomorrow (March 31st for Europe), we called up Sega of America to chat with producer Keith Dwyer about the roguelike. We spent a good half-hour exchanging thoughts on the genre's appeal and the game's pitiless difficulty before we both wondered out loud, "Wouldn't it be cool if we posted our conversation on DS Fanboy?"

Rather than spend the rest of our lives asking ourselves what might have been, we decided to post the Q & A session for you to enjoy, dear reader. After all, this will be the first time the Shiren series sees an official release outside of Japan, and the game is considered by many to be the finest console roguelike in existence, putting all other challengers and clones to shame. Pack a rice ball in your lunch box and venture past the break for our Shiren the Wanderer interview!

Continue reading DS Fanboy interview: Shiren the Wanderer

JoystiqDS Fanboy interview: Shiren the Wanderer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftjoystiqfeaturesmystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 03 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren side quests and screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/shiren-side-quests-and-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/shiren-side-quests-and-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/shiren-side-quests-and-screenshots/#commentsFiled under:



There's a lot more depth to Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer than just traveling through and subsequently dying in its treacherous dungeons. As with its unique monsters, Chunsoft's roguelike offers an interesting variety of companions and side quests to add some spice to your journey.

We've posted a new batch of screenshots of Shiren and his talking weasel, Koppa, chatting it up with the locals and getting all up in everyone's business in our gallery below. Apparently, there's a guy named Butafooter running a bungee jumping business on a bridge. That doesn't sound too safe. Also, what kind of name is Butafooter?! Who would name their kid that?! He must have had a hard life, growing up.


See also: 2008's Biggest Blips: Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer

JoystiqShiren side quests and screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Developer: Chunsoft
Publisher: Sega
Release: March 4

If you're going to check out a roguelike, you might as well try the best dungeon crawl Japan has to offer -- Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer. Unfortunately, most will find themselves turned off by its intense difficulty, SNES-level graphics, and turn-based battles/movement. It's a game with a very special appeal -- you won't survive Shiren the Wanderer's monsters and hazards by grinding or mashing an attack button; you'll have to rely on your wits and use your limited equipment to their best advantage. It's a rewarding experience, to say the least.

Oh, and did we mention that the game is insanely hard? What's worse, unless you've got an online buddy to revive you, every time you die (and you'll die very often), you lose all of your items and equipment, starting over at the beginning town at Level 1. Beginners usually die dozens of times before picking up the rudimentary skills needed to survive the dungeons. To help you in your journey, we've cleared up four mysteries for you, so you won't have to sacrifice a playthrough to figure them out yourself!

Mystery #1: How do I approach arrow-shooting enemies without having my face rocked off?

Don't attack arrow shooters head-on! You'll want to creep up to them with zig-zag movements, keeping yourself out of their direct line of sight. Unfortunately, this strategy won't work against other ranged attackers like rock throwers and magic users.

Mystery #2: What the hell is this dancing polygon monster?

That affable-looking polygon figure might not look so dangerous, but he has the power to reduce your Hunger meter by 30% (Hunger meter decreases 1% for every 10 moves), just by dancing his jig right next to you! Once that meter hits 0%, you'll lose 1 HP every turn until you find something to fill your belly with. Don't let yourself get served by this guy!

Mystery #3: Why are sleep scrolls so dangerous?

While having a Sleep scroll might come in handy when you've got monsters surrounding you, what that piece of parchment doesn't tell you is that once your enemies wake up from their nap, they'll move around with double speed. Make sure you don't dally around!

Mystery #4: Why should I let a monster puke on me?

We're not sure yet if they've been renamed in this remake, but the original Shiren the Wanderer had Nigiri beasts that would throw up on you, somehow transforming items in your inventory into rice balls. Very useful in case you run into some Polygon Jives later on! Just make sure you don't have anything you'd rather not lose in your inventory.

Really, one of the greatest features of Shiren the Wanderer is its unique monsters! Far from generic characters, every one of them seems to have an interesting special ability or idiosyncrasy. Like puking on you.

Jake Hunter Back You spoony bard!

Joystiq2008's Biggest Blips: Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>08blipschunsoftmystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 04 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe to explore Mysterious Dungeon in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/europe-to-explore-mysterious-dungeon-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/europe-to-explore-mysterious-dungeon-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/europe-to-explore-mysterious-dungeon-in-march/#commentsFiled under:

They might well be a teensy demographic, but DS-owning, Europe-based fans of hardcore dungeon-crawling have had it tough in recent times. Etrian Odyssey has yet to make the trip across the Atlantic, leaving only Orcs & Elves -- albeit a title of respectable quality -- as the only option.

Until now, that is, because SEGA has informed French site Wiiz that Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer DS will be available in Europe from March, where it will probably sell around a dozen copies. Why, it's like having Dreamcast-era SEGA back, the one which didn't give two hoots about selling stuff. We love it!

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqEurope to explore Mysterious Dungeon in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega has opened the promotional site for Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, providing further comfort for those of us as yet unsure it'll really come out. The page confirms the February release that has been previously announced. And, to soothe our worry a bit more, there are some English screenshots! That's encouraging.

The website outlines some of the new DS-specific features in the RPG remake, including what may be one of the weirdest uses of the DS's Internet capabilities yet. When you die (which you will, frequently), you can "summon another player to revive you via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection." We suggest buying this game in pairs and coordinating a buddy system for optimal chance of rescue.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqMystery Dungeon site opens, travelers begin descending into it originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mystery-dungeonroguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wandererMon, 26 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer DS coming to the U.S., for real this time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/21/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-coming-to-the-u-s-for-real-this-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/21/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-coming-to-the-u-s-for-real-this-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/21/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-coming-to-the-u-s-for-real-this-time/#commentsFiled under:

Soon after we spotted Shiren the Wanderer DS on GameStop's online store, it disappeared. We thought that maybe GameStop was trying to make us look like lying jerks, or that maybe one of their employees was trying to will a localized version into existence.

Well, that fictional employee's totally-made-up plan worked, because Sega announced that Shiren the Wanderer DS will be released in America in 2008. This is the same kind of Mysterious Dungeon gameplay seen in Izuna and the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, only more brutal. It seems like the perfect handheld game to occupy thousands and thousands of hours. Or, in our case, fifteen agonizingly frustrating minutes.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer DS coming to the U.S., for real this time originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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