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[Shiren the Wanderer: a primer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/shiren-the-wanderer-a-primer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/shiren-the-wanderer-a-primer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/shiren-the-wanderer-a-primer/#commentsWhile previous Shiren the Wanderer video releases from Atlus have focused on the story, this walkthrough spends more time discussing the basic gameplay of the roguelike -- perfect for those of you who have no idea what we're talking about when we refer to Shiren as a "roguelike" game.

Atlus project lead Scott Strichart also introduces the new difficulty settings -- easy mode allows you to keep your items and levels after dying! -- and the methods of control for AI partners, ranging from fully automated to fully player-controlled. Atlus calls this video a "walkthrough," but it's really more of an overview. In any case, might as well start studying up now in preparation for the February 9 release.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer: a primer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsoftroguelikerpgshiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-3videoWed, 27 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Puppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/puppets-promote-shiren-the-wanderer-4-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/puppets-promote-shiren-the-wanderer-4-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/puppets-promote-shiren-the-wanderer-4-in-japan/#commentsShiren the Wanderer 3 hits North America on February 9, but Chunsoft and publisher Spike are already preparing to release Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan. There, the roguelike dungeon crawler is a big enough deal to warrant television advertising! And that's a good thing, because these TV ads for Shiren 4 (after the break) are absolutely wonderful, featuring puppets(!) of Shiren, Koppa, and monsters in the new tropical island setting.

Of course, if you were to go into this game based on the sunny commercials, you might be a bit surprised when you're murdered repeatedly by monsters, losing all items and progress each time. We hope someone gets the idea to sell Shiren puppets.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Puppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan

JoystiqPuppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcommercialjapanpuppetsroguelikerpgshiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-4spikeTue, 26 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST<![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[The key to Shiren the Wanderer's story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/the-key-to-shiren-the-wanderers-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/the-key-to-shiren-the-wanderers-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/the-key-to-shiren-the-wanderers-story/#commentsA beautiful, atmospheric trailer (after the break) introduces us to the story of the new Shiren the Wanderer ... such as it is. Basically, Shiren's master, knowing that Shiren likes dungeons, gives him the key to the Karakuri Mansion, which is a big dungeon. There's more, like a cursed princess and some time travel stuff, but the essence is that Shiren goes into another dungeon. It's rather lucky for us that Shiren's wanderings are so often directed toward dungeons and dungeon-type environments.

Atlus also highlights Shiren's pal Koppa in the trailer, allowing us to hope that the company will choose to bundle the game with Sega's Koppa Wiimote stand.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

Continue reading The key to Shiren the Wanderer's story

JoystiqThe key to Shiren the Wanderer's story originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsoftroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 25 Nov 2009 15:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer turns up in February minus online features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/shiren-the-wanderer-turns-up-in-february-minus-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/shiren-the-wanderer-turns-up-in-february-minus-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/shiren-the-wanderer-turns-up-in-february-minus-online-features/#commentsAtlus announced a North American localization of Sega and Chunsoft's Shiren the Wanderer at E3, and hasn't said much about it until now. The company just dated the game for February 9 and released a bunch of screens & art for the punishing roguelike, along with a bit of sad news regarding the online connectivity.

"Despite our best efforts, the North American version of Shiren will not include the Rescue, Versus, or Item Transfer online features," Atlus's Aram Jabbari said in the announcement. "However, the downloadable dungeon content from the Japanese version will be included on the disc." Jabbari said that Atlus felt compelled to alert fans because "the absence of these features may influence some fans' decision to purchase the game."

The most identifiable feature of any Shiren game -- repeated, unavoidable death -- should remain intact.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer turns up in February minus online features originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsoftrelease-dateroguelikeshiren-the-wandererThu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-shiren-the-wanderer-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-shiren-the-wanderer-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-shiren-the-wanderer-wii/#commentsWe read Atlus's late night press release announcing plans to localize Sega's Shiren the Wanderer 3 with utter shock. We had long since resigned ourselves to never seeing the console 3D version of Chunsoft's roguelike, and we were afraid that we had merely dreamed that Atlus had picked it up with plans to release it in 2010. But, sure enough, the game was available for play in Atlus's booth, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to check it out. Full disclosure: we didn't die in our play session, which should give fans of Shiren on the DS a rough idea of how long we were able to play.

Continue reading Hands-on: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

JoystiqHands-on: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsofte3-2009roguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wandererMon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:00 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 6/9-6/15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-9-6-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-9-6-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/another-week-in-japan-hardware-and-software-numbers-6-9-6-15/#commentsFiled under:


Last week in Japan was all about Sony dominance, as Metal Gear Solid 4 rocketed the PS3 into first. The Wii still did pretty well for itself, though, nabbing the third spot in hardware and nine of the top thirty in software:

Shiren the Wanderer 3 managed to remain in the top ten despite the Metal Gear bullying, but everything else was as we expected. Just click past the break if you want to check out the software rankings and sales numbers.

Continue reading Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/9-6/15

JoystiqAnother Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/9-6/15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-week-in-japanbattalion-wars-2bwiichartsfamily-trainergamesalesjapanmario-kartmario-kart-wiimedia-createmysterious-dungeonshiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-3super-smash-bros-brawlwii-fitwii-playwii-sportsFri, 20 Jun 2008 20:00:00 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[Shiren taking another turn on the DS?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/shiren-taking-another-turn-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/shiren-taking-another-turn-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/shiren-taking-another-turn-on-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

According to an unsourced rumor found on the French site wiiz.fr, Sega and Chunsoft are already planning a second Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer game for the DS. Like the current Shiren, Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 is purported to be a remake of a classic Shiren roguelike, this time 1996's Shiren the Wanderer GB for the Game Boy.

Seems like a cheap game for Chunsoft to develop: just remake the Shiren GB dungeons in the Shiren DS engine and send it out the door. Shiren fans would no doubt be pleased to have another set of dungeons in which to die!

JoystiqShiren taking another turn on the DS? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftremakeroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererThu, 22 May 2008 09:30:00 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[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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcommercialexplorers-of-darknessexplorers-of-timemystery-dungeonnintendo-64pokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonpromotional-considerationpromotionalconsiderationroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererSun, 20 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New screenshots, Koppa stand preorders for Shiren 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-screenshots-koppa-stand-preorders-for-shiren-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-screenshots-koppa-stand-preorders-for-shiren-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-screenshots-koppa-stand-preorders-for-shiren-3/#commentsFiled under:



Ever the pessimists, we're having a hard time convincing ourselves that Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3 will ever make it stateside. Yes, we thought the same about the Shiren game that just hit the DS when localization rumors materialized, but we doubt that sales for the niche title impressed Sega, compelling the publisher into adding the Wii sequel to its North America release schedule.

So, until monkeys fly out our butt someone announces a localization deal for Shiren 3, the only way you'll play this revamp of the revered roguelike is an expensive import -- provided that it's compatible with Freeloader. If you're shelling out the big bucks, why not grab the Koppa Wii remote stand, too? NCSX has the stands available to gamers who put down their $65 (plus shipping and handling) for an early preorder. Though Shiren 3 isn't due until June 5th, the import shop has a limited amount of stands, so reserve soon!

Those of you who've played the DS remake of the SNES game -- all four of you -- and aren't sure if Shiren 3's additions are enough to warrant a purchase, make sure you check out the new boss characters in the Famitsu link below!

Read - Preorder Furai no Shiren 3 at NCSX
Read - New Furai no Shiren 3 screenshots

JoystiqNew screenshots, Koppa stand preorders for Shiren 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftkoppancsxpreorderroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer 3's Japanese release date, adorable bonus revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/shiren-the-wanderer-3s-japanese-release-date-adorable-bonus-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/shiren-the-wanderer-3s-japanese-release-date-adorable-bonus-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/shiren-the-wanderer-3s-japanese-release-date-adorable-bonus-re/#commentsFiled under: ,


Back in January, Sega announced a delay for the Japanese version of Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3, bumping the title back from February into June. Today, Sega announced the official release date, confirming that it (probably) won't be bumped further: June 5th.

We're inclined to think that Sega delayed Shiren until production of the limited preorder bonus was finished, but Chunsoft was probably working on the game or something. The two events do happen to coincide, however: along with the release date announcement, Sega sent out a real picture of the Koppa Wii remote stand, which we want almost enough to import the game.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer 3's Japanese release date, adorable bonus revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftkoppapreorderroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererFri, 04 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[DS releases for the week of March 17th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-march-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-march-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-march-17th/#commentsFiled under:

This week, there are a lot of DS games headed out all around the globe, but it's particularly a great week for those of you who keep your eyes peeled for interesting Japanese releases. Not the import type? That's okay -- there's a lot of other games to consider, and some that aren't even quite games, per se.
  • Diary Girl
  • Fantasy Aquarium by DS
  • GoPets: Vacation Island
  • Lost in Blue 3
  • Sega Superstars Tennis

Continue reading DS releases for the week of March 17th

JoystiqDS releases for the week of March 17th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bangai-odiary-girldiarygirlfantasy-aquarium-by-dsffcclost-in-blue-3ninja-gaidenring-of-fatesrosario-to-vampiresegasega-superstars-tennisshiren-the-wanderertime-hollowysMon, 17 Mar 2008 15:00:00 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[Shiren the Wallpapers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/07/shiren-the-wallpapers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/07/shiren-the-wallpapers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/07/shiren-the-wallpapers/#commentsFiled under:



Despite the endless praise Shiren the Wanderer's fans have for the new DS remake, you need only look to the nearest gaming forum to find examples of curious gamers immediately turned off by Shiren's US/EU boxart. Of all the marvelous concept art Sega of America had at its disposal, this is what the publisher decided on?

In a post at Jeremy Parish's (of 1UP fame) blog holding roguelikes up as "the quintessential desert-island-game genre," commenter Emilio shared a link to wallpapers fashioned from that official artwork, and, as you can see in the cropped shot above, they are divine.

You can grab 1024x768 and 1280x1024 versions by loading up the official Japanese site and selecting the fourth option in the top-right menu scroll. Or you can just page through the wallpapers in our gallery! Make sure to view them in "Hi Res" for maximum effect.


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

[Via Toastyfrog]

JoystiqShiren the Wallpapers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxartchunsoftroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererwallpaperFri, 07 Mar 2008 12:45:00 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[DS releases for the week of March 3rd]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-march-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-march-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-march-3rd/#commentsFiled under:

Look sharp, DS owners -- there are a couple of solid choices competing for your funds this week. Our own beloved Shiren is wandering onto shelves alongside the Eco Creatures, and that's not all that's hitting stores. For gamers still wrapped up in other great recent releases, there may be some tough choices ahead. Time to start that stack of games that you'll still be working through by December!

For our friends in Europe -- we sure hope you happen to be Dora the Explorer fans ....
  • Anno 1701
  • Bubble Bobble: Double Shot
  • Chicken Hunter
  • Eco-Creatures: Save the Forest
  • Homie Rollerz
  • Imagine: Figure Skater
  • Let's Ride! Friends Forever
  • Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer
  • Ninja Reflex
  • Petz: Bunnyz

Continue reading DS releases for the week of March 3rd

JoystiqDS releases for the week of March 3rd originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-1701anno1701bubble-bobbleeco-creaturesecorishomie-rollerzMarchninja-reflexpetzreleasesshiren-the-wandererMon, 03 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren picks up some companions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/shiren-picks-up-some-companions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/shiren-picks-up-some-companions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/shiren-picks-up-some-companions/#commentsFiled under:


We've spent a lot of time talking about Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer and the incredible depth of the game (and our love for it). Not sure you believe us? Still on the fence? There's a new trailer available that shows off some of the game's quirks -- and interesting characters -- to their best advantage. Unfortunately, Butafooter is not included, but there is a little lost girl ready to tug at your heartstrings. Surely you can't resist her.

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

JoystiqShiren picks up some companions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererThu, 28 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega Asks: Shiren the Wanderer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/sega-asks-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/sega-asks-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/sega-asks-shiren-the-wanderer/#commentsFiled under:



Promoting next week's release of Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, Sega has sent out a transcript from a roundtable discussion with the roguelike's development team at Chunsoft. The group goes into detail on specific changes from the original Super Famicom game, differences in difficulty with other games in the Mystery Dungeon series, and Shiren the Wanderer's new Wi-Fi rescue mode.

Though it's a very informative conversation on the production and peculiarities of the game, it's also a very lengthy session, so make sure to grab a snack before you jump past the post break for the interview.

Continue reading Sega Asks: Shiren the Wanderer

JoystiqSega Asks: Shiren the Wanderer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererTue, 26 Feb 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererside-questFri, 22 Feb 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren 3 packed with online features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/shiren-3-packed-with-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/shiren-3-packed-with-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/shiren-3-packed-with-online-features/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chunsoft is adding a suite of online features to the newest entry of its revered roguelike series, further distinguishing Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3 as more than just "a 3D remake of the original SNES game." Topping the list of online additions is a new versus mode in which you can take a break from having monsters, traps, and other common dungeon hazards kill you -- instead, you can die at the hands of other wandering Shirens.

Like the rescue feature introduced in Shiren the Wanderer DS, you can resurrect your friends who've died during their dungeon travels (they can resurrect you, too!) in Shiren 3. Also, online leaderboards and a pot-trading system will be implemented in the Wii version, putting that Nintendo WiFi connection to good use. All that's left to ask for is a US release from Sega!

JoystiqShiren 3 packed with online features originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftleaderboardmysterious-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererTue, 12 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2008's Biggest Blips: Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/2008s-biggest-blips-mystery-dungeon-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/2008s-biggest-blips-mystery-dungeon-shiren-the-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/2008s-biggest-blips-mystery-dungeon-shiren-the-wanderer/#commentsFiled under:



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[We will make you love Shiren]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/we-will-make-you-love-shiren/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/we-will-make-you-love-shiren/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/we-will-make-you-love-shiren/#commentsFiled under:


Sega really wants to make sure you notice Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, and we're firmly on their bandwagon. But we're crazy, sprite-loving masochists around here; we frequently whip ourselves with strips of leather wrapped around old River City Ransom, Ninja Gaiden, and Castlevania carts. We relish the pain. Come March, we'll be fashioning a cat o' nine tails from all the copies of Shiren we'll find lying forgotten on shelves. While we practice a little flagellation, wander into our gallery and check out the latest array of screens from the forthcoming roguelike wonder.

JoystiqWe will make you love Shiren originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmysterydungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererThu, 31 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Bestiary of the Mystery Dungeon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/a-bestiary-of-the-mystery-dungeon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/a-bestiary-of-the-mystery-dungeon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/a-bestiary-of-the-mystery-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: ,

Knowing, perhaps, that we're all about the Mystery Dungeon (or, alternately, that we write about DS games), Sega just sent along a partial list of monster descriptions and tactics for dealing with them. This is, of course, welcome; we've talked about Shiren's difficulty a lot, but we haven't mentioned as much that there are many monster types to be found in this game, all with unique properties. So you'll die in an interesting variety of ways.

Along with the tips, we got a bunch of new screenshots, which we invite you to enjoy in our gallery. We've posted the list of tips after the break!



Continue reading A Bestiary of the Mystery Dungeon

JoystiqA Bestiary of the Mystery Dungeon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 28 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IGN casually reveals U.S. plan for Shiren 3 release?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/ign-casually-reveals-u-s-plan-for-shiren-3-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/ign-casually-reveals-u-s-plan-for-shiren-3-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/ign-casually-reveals-u-s-plan-for-shiren-3-release/#commentsFiled under: ,


This could be a simple mixup with the DS version, or it could be something awesome. In IGN's writeup of the regrettable Shiren the Wanderer 3 delay, writer Anoop Gantayat made the following statement:

"... Shiren is set for US release under the name Shiren the Wanderer 3. As the U.S. version is currently with a TBA release date, expect the TBA to come post Summer."

This is actually the first we've heard of any North American release plans for the brand-new roguelike. With the DS Shiren 2 remake coming out in March, localization of further Shiren games seems like a definite possibility, but we haven't heard any announcements from Sega. We would be more than enthused about having a shot at the gorgeous new dungeon game. If we were to get Koppa here as well, even better.

JoystiqIGN casually reveals U.S. plan for Shiren 3 release? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftroguelikerumorsegashiren-the-wandererWed, 23 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren 3 not out of the development dungeon yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/shiren-3-not-out-of-the-development-dungeon-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/shiren-3-not-out-of-the-development-dungeon-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/shiren-3-not-out-of-the-development-dungeon-yet/#commentsFiled under: ,


Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3 was originally planned for a February 28 release in Japan. While we'd like for it to be released as soon as possible so Sega can go ahead and announce a U.S. date (please?), we're all going to have to wait a while. The game has been pushed back to June, for good reason: to add more content, as well as improving the general quality of the game.

We aren't sure if this was Chunsoft's decision or Sega's, but since the delay was announced concurrently with the delay of Red's Dramatic Dungeon: Sakura Taisen, we suspect that Sega is cracking down on their developers. If you were Sega, wouldn't you be concerned about the quality of your releases? Maybe as a result of the extra time, we'll get an improved game along with an improved Koppa Wiimote holder.

JoystiqShiren 3 not out of the development dungeon yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftdelayroguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wandererTue, 22 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[We summon our courage to look at some Shiren screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/we-summon-our-courage-to-look-at-some-shiren-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/we-summon-our-courage-to-look-at-some-shiren-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/we-summon-our-courage-to-look-at-some-shiren-screens/#commentsFiled under:

As Chunsoft's roguelike masterpiece, Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, approaches, we have found ourselves overstating our own abilities in our minds. We so want to enjoy this. We read other people's experiences with roguelikes and are utterly fascinated by the complexity and the freedom (in a manner of speaking) afforded by the genre. Maybe this will be the time that we get more than a few floors into a roguelike before becoming overwhelmed and putting it down forever!

We're just going to look intently at these new screens and imagine ourselves not failing. And when that gets too difficult, we can let our eyes drift up to the pretty, watercolor-esque map portion.

JoystiqWe summon our courage to look at some Shiren screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftroguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wandererTue, 22 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren trailer: Wondering why you're not into Wanderer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/shiren-trailer-wondering-why-youre-not-into-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/shiren-trailer-wondering-why-youre-not-into-wanderer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/shiren-trailer-wondering-why-youre-not-into-wanderer/#commentsFiled under:


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]

JoystiqShiren trailer: Wondering why you're not into Wanderer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmysterydungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererFri, 18 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Shiren screens wander into sight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/new-shiren-screens-wander-into-sight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/new-shiren-screens-wander-into-sight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/new-shiren-screens-wander-into-sight/#commentsFiled under:


A new set of screenshots, plus some lush artwork, popped up today, just in time to get you excited for Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer DS and its March release. Well, new may be a bit of an overstatement; after all, even the new screens look a lot like older titles, but that doesn't mean they don't make us happy. We'll be pleased as punch, in fact, right up until the moment Shiren wanders into the DS, at which point in time we'll start spitting and swearing arbitrarily over the game's difficulty. We do love the punishment factor of a good roguelike.

JoystiqNew Shiren screens wander into sight originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftroguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wandererMon, 14 Jan 2008 19:00:00 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsofteuropemystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wanderershirenthewandererMon, 14 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST