Kemono Mahjong

About

Kemono Mahjong is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by Cyberdog Software and was released on January 11, 2021. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Kemono Mahjong" is a full implementation of Japanese Mahjong with real 4-player action, following European Mahjong Association rules. It features easy-to-read tiles, a colorful cast of characters, and beautiful music. Ideal for new players, the game includes tutorials and in-game help, as well as multiple languages. Play against CPU opponents or go online with friends.

Genres & Tags

Casual

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 101 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers an excellent tutorial that effectively teaches the rules and strategies of Riichi Mahjong, making it accessible for beginners.
AI opponents have varied playstyles, providing a more engaging experience that simulates playing against real players.
The game is available on multiple platforms and features a clean UI, making it easy to pick up and play at leisure.

Some players feel that the AI can be overly challenging and may seem to have an unfair advantage, making it difficult to win.
The user interface has been criticized for being basic and not as intuitive as other Mahjong games, making it hard to gather information quickly.
There are reports of bugs and issues with the tutorial, which can hinder the learning experience for new players.

graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's graphics feature a unique art style that, while not conventional, is well-executed and appealing, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the pleasant visuals and music, which contribute to the enjoyment of quick matches. Overall, the graphics serve as a strong introduction to riichi mahjong.
- “The art style is definitely not typically what I would seek out, but I can easily say as an introduction to riichi mahjong, this game is fantastic.”
- “Good art style with solid execution and some voiceover.”
- “The visuals are nice and the music is very pleasant.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay of the riichi mahjong experience is praised for its engaging mechanics that require players to make impactful decisions each turn while maintaining a balanced flow of personal and public information. Despite the presence of distracting themes in some titles, the core gameplay remains strong and enjoyable, highlighting the enduring appeal of mahjong.
- “It seems like most of what Steam has for riichi is either anime porn or softcore anime porn, and the latter camp tends to have incorrectly implemented mechanics.”
- “The characters are lovable and don't detract from the gameplay!”
- “The raw mechanics of mahjong are the reason it has been so popular for so long--it demands players make small but meaningful choices every turn, keeps personal and public information well-balanced, makes every player care about what other people are doing on their turns, and never overloads with too much information or choice.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game is consistently praised for being relaxing and pleasant, enhancing the overall experience alongside the simple yet appealing visuals and engaging characters. Players appreciate how the music complements the gameplay, contributing to a soothing atmosphere.
- “This game is cheap, it has a very simple but nice drawing style of the furry characters (whom you are unlocking by playing the game) and very relaxing music.”
- “The music and characters are great, and the tutorial teaches you the basics.”
- “The visuals are nice and the music is very pleasant.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to the requirement of exploring six different locations, which complicates an otherwise straightforward task.
- “This game manages to split the grinding into six different areas you have to focus on, which makes this simple process somehow tedious.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding in this game quickly becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- “I found myself spending hours on grinding with little to no reward, making it feel like a pointless endeavor.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development in this mahjong game is praised for its appealing designs, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, the depth of character growth and narrative progression appears to be less emphasized.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
- “The backstories and growth of each character add layers to the gameplay, making every decision feel meaningful.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that Kemono Mahjong, while previously the only viable Japanese mahjong option on Steam, suffers from significant stability issues, including bugs and a primitive user interface. Overall, the game's stability is considered poor and detracts from the experience.
- “Kemono Mahjong was apparently the only decent option for Japanese mahjong on Steam for a long time, but it's buggy and the UI is primitive.”
- “Buggy and nasty.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever attention to detail, particularly in naming conventions, which contrasts with the often confusing translations found in other riichi games. Players find amusement in the quirks of AI behavior, such as their tendency to achieve early riichi, adding a lighthearted element to the gameplay experience.
- “And funny enough, AIs do seem to have unexplained advantages - they sensei riichi (that is, early riichi) a lot, and their hands often turn out to be pretty nice.”
- “It needs to be said: the attention to detail here regarding naming conventions is excellent, which is uncommon; some other riichi games, both on Steam and not, try to use approximate translations and the results range from confusing to outright funny.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is highly praised, allowing players to make adjustments mid-match without experiencing any crashes or stuttering.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a straightforward and enjoyable way to learn and play mahjong with friends, notably without any microtransactions, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The best way to learn mahjong and a great and easy way to play with friends, no microtransactions here!”