Shujinkou - Review @ RPGFan

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RPGFan reviewed Shujinkou:

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Shujinkou Review

In an interview with Game*Spark News, Shujinkou director Julian Rice expressed his desire to create a first-person dungeon crawler (DRPG) in the vein of Etrian Odyssey. With so few games like this in the current landscape, I was eager to try it before release.

From the outset, Shujinkou wears its Etrian Odyssey inspiration proudly. After a brief ten-minute introduction, the game throws you into the first dungeon - a forest reminiscent of the classic First Stratums from that series. Even early on, it's clear that the genre's best elements are completely intact in this game. Shortcuts feel just as rewarding as ever, and the incredibly dangerous FOEs (an EO acronym for powerful mini-bosses), called Yajuu here, are omnipresent. In fact, the game introduces you to them as early as the second floor. Throughout my playthrough, I found it deeply impressive how enjoyable each labyrinth is to explore. The dungeon design is a true masterclass, and if you're craving that addictive DRPG experience, Shujinkou delivers with flying colors.

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Suffice it to say, Shujinkou is one of the most ambitious indie games I've ever played. It not only satisfies the DRPG craving, but also rivals the industry and genre giants in delivering a complete experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or just curious to try something new, this is the one.

Score: 95/100