Spike Chunsoft
If there ’s any video recording game writing style that ’s had as monolithic of an impact as the “ soulslike ” genre , it ’s theroguelike genre . The gameplay loop topology of combat through procedurally generated dungeons , perish , and then starting over has such an engaging organization that ’s hold up the mental test of time . In 2024 , there ’s been plenty of antic roguelike games such asHades 2,Balatro , andThe Rogue Prince of Persia . But there ’s one that stands out among the rest due to its inexorable difficulty : Shiren the Wanderer : The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island .
As far as technical terms go , popular games likeHades 2are considered “ roguelites ” because player can keep on some sort of progress after cash in one’s chips so that they jump off a little scrap strong next time . Shiren the Wanderer : The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Islanddoesn’t offer that same generosity . It ’s a double-dyed roguelike . If you pass away , you lose everything and start off at the bottom of Mount Jatou .
Spike Chunsoft
In a year full of tough games , Shirenmay just be the hard of 2024 — an telling accolade considering it launched in the same twelvemonth as Elden Ring ’s notoriously challengingShadow of the ErdtreeDLC . That made for one of 2024 ’s most niche triumph and one that pushed me to do something I had n’t done since I was a pre - teen with a Gameshark : cheat .
Unforgiving
Shiren the spider : The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Islandwas in reality the first plot in the series that I played . As the 6th game in the Shiren the Wanderer series , I get word from fans that this year ’s praised entry was worth trying out for roguelikes and donjon crawlers . As a fan of both literary genre , the game was on my microwave radar , but I quickly memorise that my expectations were out of line .
Having play games likeSlay the SpireandDead Cells , I guess thatShirenwould offer up a standardised experience . After the first few floors in a dungeon , that certainly seemed like the compositor’s case . I did n’t find them very difficult as I made my mode up Mount Jatou and made it to my first two rest stops , the Mountain Village after floor 4 and Small Harbor after floor 9 .
After going through floor 10 - 15 , the Underwater Passage , I wipe for the first prison term . When Shiren heat up at the bottom of Mount Jatou , I expected some sort of progression musical composition to unlock — a office - up , a accomplishment , anything ! But no , I had nothing , and I had to trek my way of life up the hatful again , gathering any weapons along the way . I managed to get as far as floor 20 by understanding the plot ’s mechanics well . For example , running away to recover HP or going straight for the stairs were better pick than trying to take on enemies . Still , I kept dying and struggled to even get preceding base 20 .
Then in one of my runs , I got fabulously golden early on and get a muscular shield with a +20 defense modifier gene that carried me for the integral time , as I was able to beef it up with upgrades as I went on . I did n’t require to risk losing my ravel , so I abused the Switch Online swarm save system to scum every time I die . I would just return to the level where I last save like it was an RPG .
Sure , like that oneSekiro : Shadows go bad Twicecopypasta meme , I may have cheated myself and the game , but after dying countless fourth dimension , I did n’t really handle anymore . Along with finding an invincibility herbaceous plant and economize it for the last gaffer , I at last carry off to clear my first running game on floor 31 .
Going forward
After beating it once , that ’s when the secret plan unfolds even more . New dungeons come along , letting Shiren search some new story content and experience some singular modifier that immix up the common gameplay . There are also some more cutoff and hidden passages that open that let you go off the beaten path . The amount of postgame material is staggering and drastically increase the biz ’s lifespan .
In a common sense , my first completed run was only just the tutorial . IfShiren the Wandererwere a roguelite instead of a roguelike , then these mechanics could ’ve been dolled out as small upgrade throughout the game . If I ’m being completely honest , after spend 30 60 minutes on just a single run , I did n’t have the energy and longanimity to do any more .
Shiren the rover : The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Islandis one of the hardest games in recent memory , and , because of that , I reckon it could become the most unnoted biz of 2024 . Many Western gamers concenter on and economic value progression systems these daylight , which is something thatShiren the Wandererdoesn’t put up much of . Other Japanese game , like theDark Souls series , are know for their intense difficulty , similar toShiren the Wanderer .
However , Soulslike games still have progression in the form of skill item when even out up , allowing players to for good become stronger in the face of more and more herculean threats . Even if you die in Dark Souls , your cumulate souls can still be gained back , whereasShiren the Wandererleaves you completely empty . That ’s why some players love “ roguelites ” more , as the progression rewards they allow us , no matter how small , after destruction makes it feel like our remainder goal is still ever more come-at-able .
But what makesShiren the Wandererspecial is the sense of satisfaction and skill without the need for the game to carry your hand . After complete my first run , I palpate like I could appropriate the man . Was the final Bos inShadow the Erdtreetoo easy for you ? MakeShiren the Wandereryour next challenge .
Shiren the spider : The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Islandis now usable on Nintendo Switch and PC .
