Announced during the Japanese Nintendo Direct on September 15 (it was not shown in the Western version), Shiren the Wanderer 6: Toguro Island Expedition Record is the sixth mainline entry in the series. For the last month, Spike Chunsoft has been quiet regarding a Western launch, but it has now announced that the English title will be Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island and that the game will launch about a month after the Japanese version.
Shiren the Wanderer is a series of roguelike RPG games that began in 1995 with Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer. In the series, players venture into a mystery dungeon that changes each time they enter (these are classic dungeon-crawling games). Run out of energy, and you’ll have to start again at the beginning without your gathered tools, money, and gear. Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is the first entry in the series to come West since Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and and Dice of Fate launched for PS Vita in 2016 (the game later came to Nintendo Switch; you can read Matt’s review here).
In the game, Shiren and Koppa make their way to Serpentcoil Island after receiving a vision of a girl held captive by a monster. The distant isle is rumoured to be the lost stronghold of treasure-hoarding pirates. Shiren and Koppa will have to traverse complex dungeons filled with hostile monsters, hidden traps, and useful items. As always, if Shiren collapses all the gear and experience accumulated will be lost. Rescue the mysterious girl and uncover the mysteries of Serpentcoil Island.
The Mystery Dungeon system offers endless replayability thanks to procedurally generated maps, enemies, and loot. Every time he enters a dungeon, Shiren starts at level one. He’ll need to grow by defeating enemies, gathering items, and building strength. Battles are turn-based, allowing the player to plan each move carefully and thoughtfully. There are some new elements in Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, including Shiren taking on new transformations and giant Behemoth monsters that hunt him through the dungeon.
The game will be released both digitally and physically, with European physical editions being published by Reef Entertainment. First-run editions will include a bonus sticker featuring Shiren in the game’s traditional art style. Pre-orders are open now.
Developed and published by Spike Chunsoft, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island will be released for Nintendo Switch worldwide on February 27, 2024. The Japanese version, Shiren the Wanderer 6: Toguro Island Expedition Record, will be released on January 25, 2024.
