Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer

I just started playing this game and I think anyone that likes roguelikes will enjoy this game. I had gotten the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game a while back (don't really like pokemon much, but it was the only roguelike on the ds that I knew of then), but when this one came out I traded it, because this is much closer to playing a game like Nethack but with a nice interface, some helpful features (warehouses and jars) and other things to do like help NPCs and stuff. And the online features are great. Helping and getting help from other players is really something.

Now I see there's another Mystery Dungeon game coming for the Wii (one of the FF spinoffs). I haven't played any of those Chocobo games, but if it's anything like Shien, I'll get it for sure (if it comes to Europe...)

-Jorge

I burned myself out on roguelikes (nethack specifically) because although I love them, they are just too hard for me. You have to reach a certain level of memorization and skill to get past anything and I never could. I'd never leave the first, say 10 levels of the dungeon before I got killed, starved to death, etc.

Is this game a little more forgiving? I haven't picked up my DS in ages.

I'm not sure yet. It does seem a easier than Nethack. In my first play I reached level 10, and although it took me a few plays, I'm right now a bit deeper than that (after one rescue). The possibility of getting rescued by other players when you die and the warehouses and special jars that let you recover some of your best items, make it more forgiving. Also there are some towns in the dungeon, so that you can rest, buy stuff and power up your weapon/armor. Also, as you complete side quests, the towns offer new and better services (I haven't experienced any of this yet, so I'm not sure exactly how helpful it is). In that sense, I think it gives a better sense of accomplishment as you play the game.

You do start again at level 1 experience when you die, and at the beginning of the adventure, so in that regard it is like Nethack (and any other roguelike), and also, exactly like in Nethack, saving the game doesn't let you start from the saved point when you die.

-Jorge