Kana Quest
- March 11, 2020
- Not Dead Design
Get on Steam"Kana Quest" is a charming match-em-up game that teaches players how to read Hiragana and Katakana, two Japanese alphabets. By connecting Kana with shared sounds, players complete over 300 puzzle levels. With its beautiful pixel art and engaging gameplay, it's both an excellent learning tool for beginners and a fun challenge for those already familiar with Japanese.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Kana Quest features beautiful pixel art and a relaxing soundtrack, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
- The game effectively combines puzzle mechanics with kana memorization, helping players learn Hiragana and Katakana in a fun way.
- It offers a user-friendly experience with helpful resources, such as a cheat sheet and sound cues, making it accessible for beginners.
- The game is primarily a puzzle game rather than an effective teaching tool for learning kana, which may lead to frustration for those seeking a dedicated educational experience.
- Some puzzles can be overly challenging, making it difficult to achieve gold ratings, which may deter players from progressing.
- There are issues with game mechanics, such as the inability to undo moves and the presence of visible English letters on tiles, which can hinder the learning process.
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the music in the game is praised for being relaxing, pleasant, and fitting well with the visuals, contributing to a calming and enjoyable experience. However, some users noted that the music can become repetitive during long sessions. The combination of engaging soundtracks and appealing artwork enhances the overall aesthetic and enjoyment of the game.
“Kana Quest is visually gorgeous, and the music never gets old. I knew I was actually learning something the moment I started copying down each puzzle and labeling kana in order to solve them.”
“I like the soundtrack as well; the background music is relaxing and fits in well.”
“I love the music and the artwork; it's very calming and chill to play.”
“Frustrating because you have to guess the exact combination to earn a gold rating, and some mechanics are just a pain (especially the glass tiles) and the music gets a bit repetitive after long sessions.”
“The backgrounds are a visual experience, and the music is also incredibly.”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Kana Quest focuses primarily on gameplay mechanics rather than a traditional narrative, lacking a story mode. While it excels in visual presentation and music, the absence of a customized level mode may leave some players wanting more in terms of narrative depth. Overall, it serves as an engaging and effective tool for learning kana through puzzles rather than storytelling.
“Kana Quest is visually gorgeous, and the music never gets old, but I knew I was actually learning something the moment I started copying down each puzzle and labeling kana in order to solve them.”
“Kana Quest has some of the most beautiful pixel art I've ever seen in a game, and I honestly can't believe it was all done by a single developer.”
“If you like puzzles and want to improve your kana recognition (or learn kana), then Kana Quest is an enjoyable alternative to flashcards and rote learning.”
“Maybe it lacks a customized level mode, and there is no story mode.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a phonetic rhyming match mechanic combined with slide-puzzle controls, which can be frustrating due to the need for precise combinations to achieve gold ratings. Players have noted that certain mechanics, like the glass tiles, can be cumbersome, and the music tends to become repetitive during extended play sessions.
“The game features a phonetic rhyming match mechanic combined with slide-puzzle controls, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay challenges players to guess the exact combination to earn a gold rating, adding an extra layer of difficulty and excitement.”
“Frustrating because you have to guess the exact combination to earn a gold rating, and some mechanics are just a pain (especially the glass tiles). The music gets a bit repetitive after long sessions.”
“The game uses a phonetic rhyming match mechanic with slide-puzzle controls.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their calming and charming aesthetic, featuring kawaii artwork that complements a pleasant soundtrack, creating an overall soothing gaming experience.
“I love the music and the artwork; it's very calming and chill to play.”
“The artwork is very kawaii, and the soundtrack is pleasant.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as sweet and fun, with unexpected moments that add a surprising comedic element to the overall experience.
“Sweet, fun, and also surprisingly funny.”
