Kemono Mahjong

About

"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

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 92 reviews

music3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features an excellent tutorial that effectively teaches the rules and strategies of Riichi Mahjong, making it a great entry point for beginners.
Kemono Mahjong offers a variety of AI opponents with different playstyles, allowing players to practice against diverse strategies without the pressure of online play.
The developer is responsive and actively works on updates and improvements, enhancing the overall experience for players.

The AI can feel overly automated and may not mimic the strategic nuances of human players, leading to a less engaging experience.
The user interface has been criticized for being basic and not as intuitive as other Mahjong games, making it difficult to access important information at a glance.
Some players have reported issues with the tutorial being unclear or broken, which can hinder the learning experience for newcomers.

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 character designs, the core gameplay remains strong and true to the essence of mahjong, ensuring that players remain invested in each other's actions.
- “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 charming visuals and character design. Players appreciate how the music complements the gameplay and contributes to a soothing atmosphere.
- “The music and characters are great, and the tutorial teaches you the basics.”
- “It includes a tutorial, good music, and an interesting cast of characters.”
- “The visuals are nice and the music is very pleasant.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are praised for their appealing art style and solid execution, complemented by enjoyable visuals and pleasant music. Overall, the aesthetic contributes positively to the gaming experience.
- “The visuals are nice and the music is very pleasant.”
- “Good art style with solid execution and some voiceover.”
- “Quick matches and fun artwork too.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Kemono Mahjong has been noted as a long-standing option for Japanese mahjong on Steam, but it suffers from significant bugs and a primitive user interface, leading to a generally unstable 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
150%
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. Overall, the strict adherence to rules enhances the comedic aspects, making for a more enjoyable and engaging atmosphere.
- “The attention to detail regarding naming conventions is excellent, which is uncommon; some other riichi games try to use approximate translations, resulting in everything from confusing to outright funny.”
- “The humor in the game is enhanced by the quirky character interactions and witty dialogue that keep players entertained.”
- “The game cleverly incorporates puns and jokes that resonate well with players, making each session not just competitive but also a good laugh.”
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!”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to the requirement to explore six different locations, which complicates what could be a straightforward task.
- “This game manages to split the grinding process into six different areas you have to focus on, which makes what should be a simple task feel incredibly tedious.”
- “The constant need to grind for resources feels more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the game.”
- “I find myself spending hours on repetitive tasks that offer little reward, making the grinding experience frustrating.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development in the game is praised for its strong designs, contributing positively to the overall experience, particularly in the context of its mahjong gameplay.
- “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 are well-crafted, adding layers to the gameplay experience.”