With the game’s 27 February 2024 release date merely a month and a half away, Spike Chunsoft has shared new details about the online functionality being incorporated into Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island – namely incorporating ‘mystery dungeon’ style rescue mechanics into the experience.
One of the key features introduced is the Rescue option, which enhances the gaming experience by allowing players to either save others or be saved in the game’s dungeons. This feature is crucial for players who have collapsed during their dungeon explorations. Successful rescues enable players to continue their adventure without the loss of their belongings or Gitan, the in-game currency. A unique aspect of this feature is that players can issue up to three rescue requests per dungeon challenge. However, it is important to note that the location of a successful rescue transforms into a monster house, significantly increasing the difficulty with the sudden appearance of numerous monsters.
The Rescue feature also includes a reward system involving Aid Points. These points are earned at the end of a successful rescue and can be used to set up Rescue Aids, providing various advantages for future rescue attempts. For instance, a Level 10 Aid allows rescuers to begin at level 10, while a Health Aid boosts the rescuer’s HP and Fullness by 30. Aid Points are awarded not only for successful rescues but also in cases of failed attempts, calculated based on the items and Gitan collected and the depth reached in the dungeon. So even if you are left for dead as a rescuer, taking the initiative to save someone has its rewards.
For players without internet access, the game offers a Rescue Self option. Although this mode does not grant Aid Points, it is an alternative for those who prefer to tackle challenges independently or are playing offline.
Another newly introduced feature is ‘Parallel Play’, which allows players to share their saved data at any point during a dungeon adventure. This data, known as parallel data, can be uploaded to the server, enabling other players to continue the challenge under identical conditions through the sharing of a Parallel ID. The downside? items and Gitan obtained in parallel play cannot be retained after clearing the dungeon.
In addition to the online functionality, information on new characters you will encounter and enemies you will face have been shared, with information on each below:
Katenbo
Leader of the Recluse Monks that reside on Serpentcoil Island. He claims that the island will be destroyed if Jakaku, a monster said to dwell deep within the island, is defeated. He is hostile towards those who come seeking the rumored treasure.
Death Reaper
A creepy-looking monster with a huge scythe. It moves at double speed and is challenging to shake off since it floats through the air and over water. Because it is a Ghost-type monster, players can damage it by throwing Herbs and other items that restore HP at it.
Ghost Radish
A monster that throws Grass causing status ailments. Level 1 Ghost Radishes throw Poison Grass, which lowers Shiren’s strength and slows him down, while higher-level versions throw Grass such as Confusion Grass and Sedating Grass.
Hat Urchin
A mischievous monster that takes Shiren’s belongings and throws them around. The Hat Urchin targets only Shiren’s Stave, but the level 2 Hat Prankster targets both Staves and Grass. As the level increases, the types of items targeted become more varied.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island will be available on the Nintendo Switch starting 27 February 2024 – developed and published by Spike Chunsoft.
