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Japanese Dungeon: Learn J-Word

89%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
monetization, grinding
89% User Score Based on 1,940 reviews

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TabletAndroidPhoneMobile Platform
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Are you still trying hard to memorize Japanese words? Let's learn it in easy.

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Japanese Dungeon: Learn J-Word screenshot
Japanese Dungeon: Learn J-Word screenshot
Japanese Dungeon: Learn J-Word screenshot
Japanese Dungeon: Learn J-Word screenshot
Japanese Dungeon: Learn J-Word screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,940 reviews
gameplay20 positive mentions
monetization74 negative mentions
  • The game is a fun and engaging way to learn kana, making memorization enjoyable.
  • The retro graphics and RPG elements add charm and nostalgia to the learning experience.
  • It effectively reinforces language skills through repetitive gameplay and quick decision-making.
  • The energy system limits gameplay, making it frustrating for users who want to practice more frequently.
  • There are inaccuracies in the romanization of certain kana, which can mislead learners.
  • The game often requires payment or watching ads to unlock further content, which detracts from the learning experience.
  • monetization
    86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the frequency and intrusiveness of ads, which often obstruct gameplay and user interface. While some appreciate the option to pay to remove ads, others feel that the game heavily relies on ads for progression, making it feel like a cash grab. Overall, the balance between ads and gameplay experience is a significant concern, with many users suggesting that the monetization model detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “Good stuff, the microtransactions aren't predatory.”
    • “I paid for no ads.”
    • “The first thing I do with an app is see if there is a no ads purchase option.”
    • “It's basically extortion through ads.”
    • “The business model is horrible, with big banner ads covering the screen and forcing you to watch a video every now and then.”
    • “You have to either watch a bunch of ads or pay to unlock the next dungeon.”
  • gameplay
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally described as fun and engaging, with a simple design that effectively reinforces language learning, though it suffers from repetitiveness and monotony. Many users appreciate the educational aspect and the entertaining mechanics, but express frustration with the energy system and ads that disrupt the experience. Overall, while the game has a solid foundation for learning Japanese, it could benefit from more variety and clearer mechanics to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay and way to learn is awesome.”
    • “Fun RPG gameplay while learning Japanese.”
    • “Simple design and gameplay, and very effective reinforcement of language.”
    • “The extra coin mechanic could be designed for learning, but it's just mindless and stressful.”
    • “From a gameplay standpoint, it's very repetitive because the gameplay is always the same.”
    • “The game's mechanics go against learning, limiting your gameplay and forcing you to pay to play.”
  • music
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its nostalgic 8-bit style and engaging soundtrack, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. However, several users noted issues with volume levels, particularly that the victory music is excessively loud, often drowning out important audio cues like pronunciation. While many appreciate the fun and retro vibe of the music, some expressed a desire for more variety and better balance between music and other audio elements.

    • “The soundtrack is pretty cool and the concept wonderfully creative.”
    • “The music alone is worth the download.”
    • “Very fun, simple, great retro music, and solid reinforcement in learning Japanese!”
    • “The victory music is way louder than everything else, so it kind of hurts my ears even if I have my volume really low.”
    • “The other thing is that the music is much too loud, it almost entirely drowns out the Japanese pronunciation which limits the effectiveness of learning quite a bit.”
    • “I had to turn the music off even though I love it so that I can actually clearly hear what they're saying.”
  • graphics
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic 8-bit and retro JRPG aesthetic, appealing to fans of classic gaming from the 80s and 90s. While some users note that the graphics may not be technically impressive, they appreciate the charming pixel art and the overall fun and educational experience it provides. The combination of simple visuals and engaging sound design enhances the gameplay, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a vintage style.

    • “The graphics are in classic JRPG style with comfy textures, art, and fonts which rocks!”
    • “This game makes practice fun, and the music and graphics are nostalgic too.”
    • “Great retro graphics and a goofy concept that really appeals to me.”
    • “S'all right, the graphics suck but it relates to gamers from the 80's and 90's who know games like the original gold cartridge Zelda and original Super Mario Bros. Also, any gamer that can handle blocky bit games that I normally avoid.”
    • “The graphics aren't that good but I kinda like that old arcade feel with pixels.”
    • “Cute graphics but really not worth the time.”
  • humor
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its broken English and engaging storytelling, which many players find adds charm and entertainment value. While some users note that the humor may not be the most effective for learning, it is consistently described as hilarious and a fun way to engage with the language. Overall, the game's comedic elements enhance the learning experience, making it both enjoyable and educational.

    • “Oh wait, this is a language learning app... hilarious and engaging story, great way to review, get it!”
    • “It's so funny, so creative”
    • “The English grammar is pretty funny, but I think that adds charm.”
  • story
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is generally described as fun and engaging, providing a humorous backdrop that motivates players to progress. However, some users find the English translation to be poor, which detracts from the overall experience, and there are calls for a more in-depth storyline and better integration of daily quests. While the narrative is enjoyable, the pacing and mechanics related to unlocking levels can be frustrating for players.

    • “Its got a fun little story that gives you a reason to keep progressing.”
    • “Oh wait, this is a language learning app... hilarious and engaging story, great way to review, get it!”
    • “Amazing app with fun story.”
    • “However, the English translation of the story is a bit choppy and lessens the experience.”
    • “The story is stupid.”
    • “A couple of minor issues are that the English in the opening scene is poor, and the energy system prevents you from completing your daily quests in one sitting, or even from just binging the stages on a memorization spree.”
  • grinding
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed sentiment towards grinding in the game, with many players finding it tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly due to the high requirements for progressing through levels and acquiring gems. While some appreciate the RPG elements that make learning enjoyable, others feel that the excessive grinding detracts from the overall experience, turning what could be a fun learning process into a chore.

    • “Pretty good, but way too many ads makes it too annoying and the amount of grinding required to get forward is too high.”
    • “For example, even if you master 3 stars on all of a dungeon, you can't continue to the next one until you keep grinding, doing the daily quests, and getting more and more gems until you've reached 50 gems (it's a damn decent amount of grind).”
    • “The dungeons are great, but with only 4, you will find yourself finished with the game and spending time just grinding away instead of learning and developing your skills continually.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report that the game's optimization is generally good, with some minor performance hiccups noted on specific devices like the Samsung S22 Ultra compared to the S10. The performance tracking feature is appreciated, as it helps tailor the learning experience by focusing on consistently missed symbols.

    • “By giving stars based on performance in a dungeon, it turns my gameplay into a more rewarding experience.”
    • “The performance tracking feature is incredibly helpful; if I consistently get a particular symbol wrong, it tracks this and repeats it more often to help me learn.”
    • “Samsung S22 Ultra vs S10 performance has a few hiccups, but all in all, it's excellent.”
    • “By giving stars based on performance in a dungeon, it turns my experience into a frustrating grind.”
    • “The optimization feels lacking, as the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate during intense moments.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits notable stability issues, with users reporting bugs and shaky English that detracts from the experience. While it offers a simple and engaging way to study Japanese characters, the presence of errors in the introductory dialogue and other elements has led to lower ratings.

    • “The English is shaky and things seem a bit buggy, but it is a simple gamified way to study Japanese characters.”
    • “Buggy; should be proofread.”
    • “Would've given it five stars, but the intro dialogue is atrocious, and the final screen of the intro dialogue box is buggy.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its engaging music and RPG elements, which effectively alleviate mental fatigue and maintain player interest, despite the core gameplay being centered around flashcard practice.

    • “While the gameplay is essentially just flashcard practice, the music and RPG atmosphere help to mitigate mental fatigue and keep me engaged in the process.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers praise the character development in the game, noting that it is well-executed and contributes significantly to the overall sense of progression and engagement. Players appreciate the inclusion of achievements and stronger foes, which enhance the depth of character growth throughout the gameplay experience.

    • “Everything I could think of to make the game better, I discovered had already been added — achievements, character development, stronger foes, and a sense of progression through a stage... it's all there!”
    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me wanting more depth and complexity.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices in character development; it felt like my decisions didn't really matter.”
    • “The characters lack growth throughout the game, making it hard to feel invested in their journeys.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express frustration with the emotional impact of the game due to the randomization of cards, which can lead to repetitive experiences with certain characters or terms while neglecting others, diminishing the overall emotional engagement.

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