Spike Chunsoft has released an English-language version of the press release detailing sumo status, behemoths, sacred items, the training dojo, and new characters in Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island.
You can find the new English language press release below, followed by our coverage of the Japanese press release from last week.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is set to release as a Nintendo Switch exclusive in Japan on January 25, 2024, followed by a western release on February 27, 2024.
Spike Chunsoft, Inc. has shared details on how players can prepare for the challenging adventures in its upcoming roguelike RPG, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island. This includes insights into the Sumo status power-up, and dealing with roaming Behemoths. The company has also introduced new characters who are making their first appearance in this latest installment of the series. Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island for Nintendo Switch™ comes to North America and Europe on February 27, 2024.
Power-up Shiren with Sumo Status
There are many status conditions and effects, but one of the most powerful is the Sumo status. Shiren gains this Sumo power when his Fullness exceeds 150 and loses it when his Fullness goes below 120. Since Shiren's Fullness can be increased or changed by eating Onigiri and certain items, you can control when you gain this mighty form. In this state, Shiren gains many advantages, such as increased Attack Power, boosted Max HP, and the ability to nullify Traps by crushing them underfoot. However, Shiren can't use items to move around.
Effects of the Sumo Status
Increased Max HP and Attack Power.
Walking over Traps destroys them without harming Shiren.
Shiren can dig through walls with normal attacks, regardless of the Weapon equipped.
Shiren is immune to effects or items that would normally force him to move.
Roaming Behemoths
There exist mysterious gates that are said to lead to another realm filled with giant, powerful monsters called Behemoths. Sometimes these Behemoth Gates open up inside the dungeon, so beware if you see one on the map. Behemoths are far more powerful than any normal monster. They wield extremely high Attack Power and are completely immune to attacks from the front or sides thanks to their defensive Behemoth Barrier. If you come across a Behemoth, the best option is to run.
Behemoth Features
Comes from Behemoth Gates and sporadically disappears after some time.
Extremely high Attack Power.
Slow movement speed due to their enormous size.
Immune to attacks from the front and sides.
Vulnerable to attacks from behind.
Gain the Advantage with Sacred Items
A new addition for this game is Sacred Items. A Sacred Item is a rare piece of equipment that carries random enhanced abilities. There are two types of increasingly rare and powerful Sacred items: Blue and Golden. Golden items are more rare, but their effect varies each time, so a Blue item may have a more powerful effect than a Golden item. In addition, there are rare categories of Runes called "Natural Runes," found on some of the "Sacred" Weapons and Shields. These Natural Runes have unique effects that can't be obtained anywhere else.
Sacred Item Features
Often has a higher Base Value than regular equipment.
Sometimes has a Rune not normally found on the regular version of that equipment.
Sometimes has a powerful Natural Rune attached to it.
Train in the Monster Dojo
The Monster Dojo is a special facility where you can simulate dungeon encounters and practice to your heart's content, allowing you to learn and train to face the real thing. Inside the Monster Dojo, you can freely place monsters, items, and Traps that you've previously encountered in dungeons. Learn all the tricks monsters have at their disposal and experiment to develop a winning strategy that will carry you to victory.
Characters
Hibiki
The young Quartermaster of the Red Orca Pirates. She loathes greedy people and follow the Red Orca motto of only taking what's needed. Hibiki travels to Serpentcoil Island in search of a particular lost treasure.
Sokusen
The loyal Boatswain of the Red Orca Pirates, and Hibiki's right-hand man. He accompanies and aids Hibiki on her expedition to Serpentcoil Island.
Tugai
The bombastic Captain of the Black Shark Pirates. He's brought his crew to Serpentcoil Island with the intention of claiming every last bit of treasure for himself.
Seki
The leader of a group of ninja living covertly on Serpentcoil Island. Despite her exceptional skills as a ninja, she is best known for her kindness. She is beloved by her fellow ninja, who fondly refer to her as their Princess.
Original (November 13)
Spike Chunsoft has updated the Japanese official site for Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island with a page detailing the gameplay systems. One of the new features shown on the page highlights the ability to turn both the player character and some enemies into literal giants.
The protagonist Shiren can grow bigger when his stomach fullness exceeds 150 by eating lots of food. In this form, he will have a higher attack stat and maximum HP. Any of his attacks can dig through walls, and he can also easily destroy traps by simply stepping on them. However, this form will also negate any movement-related bonuses. If Shiren's fullness stat goes below 120, he will revert back to normal size.
The game will also feature Giant Monsters that spawn from a specific warp hole. They obviously deal massive damage, and they are also covered by flame shields that negate any damage from five directions. However, being gigantic also makes them move slowly, and Shiren may be able to land some hits on their unprotected sides if he can move quickly enough. If the player does not want to fight these giants, they will eventually leave on their own after some time has passed.
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Shiren the Wanderer 6 - Giant protagonist and enemies
The page also shows that equipment like weapons and shields will have upgrade values, slots for Seals that give various buffs, and Synergy effects that activate when Shiren equips a specific set. The player can also combine equipment items to upgrade them by using a Combination Jar or throwing them into a frog monster's mouth.
Furthermore, some items will have a Blue or Gold Divine Instrument aura that makes them have better stats than ordinary ones. Most of the aura-imbued items will come with more Seal slots and upgraded stats, but a few of them will also have some Natural Seals pre-installed.
Shiren the Wanderer 6 - weapon drops
The page also introduced a Training Dojo stage where the player can freely place enemies, items, and traps that have been encountered before. This facility will be very useful since it lets the player experiment with item combinations and difficult enemies without having to risk losses from in-dungeon deaths. It also confirms that there will be a Record Book that collects information on monsters, items, and seals as well as statistics like the number of dungeon entries and the record highest floor reached.
Shiren the Wanderer 6 dojo
Spike Chunsoft has also shared more screenshots and character artworks for Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which you can find right below. The series' sixth mainline entry will be available for Nintendo Switch in Japan and East Asia on January 25, 2024, and in North America and Europe on February 27.
