This game is your classic ‘Roguelike’ – a real-time combat-focussed RPG that focuses on melee anti-monster combat in randomised dungeons. Classics of the genre include Nethack, Ancient Domains of Mystery, and of course Diablo. Mystery Dungeon is not a classic, but it’s a solidly constructed adventure that can lull you into a lower, zen-like state of consciousness all the same.

The hero is Shiren, a wandering samurai in search of El Dorado. His costume is a weird fusion of traditional Japanese garments and Final Fantasy excess – oversized boots, flared collar, short pants, etc. ‘Mish mash’ goes some way towards describing it, but doesn’t quite do the outfit justice.

That thing on his shoulder is a talking ferret.

Fortunately, you don’t see too much of that get-up (or the ferret), as the top-down view conceals most of it beneath his oversized straw hat. During play, everything is represented as an exaggerated caricature of itself – even inanimate objects. Combined with abstract environments built of bright primary colours, the overall effect is reminiscent of Wonder Boy. It’s a clean look, slick and functional – and a step up from the ASCII characters of Rogue.

The randomised level layouts are nonsensical, but induce compulsive exploration and collection regardless. Combat is simple and turn-based, with arrows for ranged attacks. There’s also the opportunity to temporarily take the form of monsters by eating their flesh. Since the game is linear and predictable, the biggest challenge is inventory management – keeping enough food on hand to survive.

Control shortcuts abound. There are handy arrows in the centre of each edge of the touch screen; if you’re facing an exit, a simple tap will send you towards it almost instantly. Long corridors can be crossed in a jiffy. This is great for backtracking – and there is a lot of backtracking, thanks to the randomised dungeons. There’s just no getting away from it.

The only detraction here is that at the back of your mind you know that it’s all unplanned, unscripted. That’s it isn’t, well, real. This isn’t like Zelda, where every cranny and nook has been hand-sculpted for your enjoyment, and every obstacle is there for a reason. It’s sort of… pointless. A therapeutic kind of pointless, but pointless all the same.

In short, Mystery Dungeon is a game for people who like grinding. Do you like grinding? Then Mystery Dungeon is for you.