Progress in Shiren is a bit different than the average game. Think of it as sort of like a abstracted version of an 8-bit sidescroller. It's all about knowing the enemy and your abilities. After a few deaths you'll get a feel for the first set floors, so you can anticipate certain situations, like “this enemy turns me into a riceball if I get close, so I should shoot him with arrows from a distance.” Fey's Puzzles (in the starting town) teach you the basics for effective play and also give you a free item, so it's good to spend some time there. It's important to remember that the game never puts you in a situation that's impossible, but the best way to deal with some of those situations is not to encounter them at all. There's no shame in running for the exit.

Also, when you do certain things there are changes to the game world that persist even when you die. You meet people and open up new areas that'll be a big help. Finding good items and keeping them in your warehouse is important for good dungeon runs… there's a blacksmith by the second warehouse, so you can keep a weapon in there and upgrade it every time you come through without fear of losing it.

Shiren is sort of like learning an instrument. At first you have no idea what you're doing and it seems pointless. But the more time you spend with it the easier it gets, and you begin to learn integral tricks and techniques… the whole 'language' becomes clear to you. At some point something in my mind clicked, to the tune of “Woa, how have I never played a game like this before?” For the first month of play I couldn't get past floor eight, then I tilted my head a bit and realized I was approaching it wrong… after that, it was bliss.

So, in a nutshell…
1. Pay attention to the enemies and study their behavior. Ever monster has a unique quality, and understanding that is the key to owning them.
2. Use your items intelligently. A lightning staff may seem useless when you pick it up, but it may also save your ass three floors later.
3. Abuse your warehouses. There are storehouse jars that can transport any item back to your original warehouse. Also, if you have an identified item in a warehouse, that item will always be identified when you find it in the field.
4. Don't be afraid to try stupid stuff, and don't horde your items. There's no super-secret +7 Mystic Spear that you can only get once. Everything is randomized, and you can find every item again if you need to. If you think you're about to get fucked, try something crazy. A learn through doing type of thing.
5. Have fun. That's a given, right? It's not a long game, so when you die you lose maybe a couple hours of play. Think of it like Contra rather than Final Fantasy. Don't let it get frustrating.

If you ever get really stuck, there's a very in depth wiki that can help: shiren.wetpaint.com
They have a beginner's guide as well. Good luck!

How is it that you get better at this game? I mean, the constant threat of progress-annihilating death is kind of interesting but that shit is just ruthless. The game is so damned novel to me at this point that I'm liking it anyways. Not for the masses.