Shiren The Wanderer (Wii)
common sense media says
An engrossing RPG that's not quite different enough.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Shiren The Wanderer is generally a sweet role-playing game in which you are out to do good, not evil. There are some moral choices to be made, as when you choose whether or not help out the hungry. As cute as the anime characters are, they do spew some foul language. And there's some drinking involved, too, although it's not especially integral to gameplay or to the story.
Educational value:
As you go through this adventure, you learn a bit about Japanese mythology. It's a real treat to hear about the culture and fables of the Far East. You'll also have to read a lot of text.
Positive role models:
The Sensei is kind of cranky and he drinks too much. However, he is generally trying to do good. More moral is Shiren, the Wanderer, who, as a wanderer, has rules to live by, which are presented early in the game. For instance, wanderers are always supposed to help those who are weak. Shiren's ferret, while not that integral, is always ready to help, too. And so are many of the townspeople, who are freaked out by the goings on in the local castle.
Ease of play:
You can play this game fairly easily with either the Wii remote and Nunchuk or the old school controller attachment. RPGs are generally the most complex of the games to learn. That's because you have to choose the weapons with which you want to arm yourself, and the food you want to eat, and the herbs to help you heal, and the magic you want to wield. It's best to learn the controls before you proceed in the game. Look at the booklet which details the many controls.
Violence:
In Shiren, the violence is never presented with blood. Rather, most of the turn-based swordplay is against not-so-scary monsters and smaller, annoying beasts, like mice. Killing is presented more in a flash of color, often yellow, than anything else. In death, there's no moaning, just the disappearing of the character.
Sex:
There are suggestive themes and big-breasted anime characters. Sometimes, the cut scenes, full motion videos without gameplay, will focus in on covered parts of the female anatomy, like the butt or breasts. Some of the townspeople seem to want to marry you to their daughters.
Language:
Within the few minutes of play, you'll hear a thug yell "bastard" and "ass." You'll also read "damn" in the dialogue. These are rarely presented as audio: mostly as text you have to read.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Many RPG's have references to boozing, and Shiren is no exception. In the first minute of play, your master, the Sensei, goes off to have a drink in a bar. Within the first 15 minutes, you're in that bar, too, and small fight breaks out when Sensei is interrupted from his drinking. Sake is the drink of choice in the game. There are no references to smoking or to drugs.
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