Learn Japanese: Yuke and the Book of Yokai

About

"Yuke and the Book of Yokai" is a roguelike deckbuilder language-learning game that teaches Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, and Japanese grammar. Players answer grammar, vocabulary, and kanji quizzes to gather energy to play cards and fight off evil yokai. The game allows players to learn at their own pace and immerse themselves in Japanese myth and culture. Repeat previous lessons from the main menu for reinforcement.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Learn Japanese: Yuke and the Book of Yokai screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

graphics1 positive mentions

The game offers a customizable learning experience, allowing players to focus on specific topics and practice at their own pace, making it an effective tool for studying Japanese.
It combines engaging roguelike deckbuilding mechanics with language learning, providing a fun way to memorize vocabulary and kanji while enjoying strategic gameplay.
Regular updates from the developer and the promise of future features, such as importing data from Anki and Excel, indicate a commitment to improving the game and expanding its educational potential.

The deck building aspect and overall gameplay can feel barebones and may require further balancing, particularly regarding the difficulty of certain boss battles and the power of some yokai.
As the game is in Early Access, players may encounter rough edges and limited content, which could affect the overall experience.
Some users may find the game frustrating due to the RNG elements and the challenge of defeating bosses, which can lead to a sense of helplessness despite correct answers.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The gameplay is characterized by a deep strategic and card-based mechanic that enhances the deckbuilding rogue-like experience, making it both addictive and educational for language learners. While the game is still in early access and has some rough edges, it effectively combines simple mechanics with layers of strategy and puzzle-solving, particularly in combat against yokai. Players have noted that managing selections can be challenging, but the overall gameplay loop is engaging and facilitates quick learning, especially for those unfamiliar with the Japanese language.
- “Great deckbuilding rogue-like game with deep strategic and card mechanics that is addictive while practicing/learning language.”
- “The gameplay may appear to be simple but there is a layer of strategy and puzzle-solving revolving around figuring out how to take down each yokai (what items, sequence of attack/defensive actions should be taken, etc).”
- “Having zero Japanese language experience, it's amazing how fast I was able to begin memorizing kana just through the base gameplay loop.”
- “I made the mistake of selecting too many options, which slowed my gameplay because I was forgetting what I selected.”
- “The game just released in early access, so everything is still a bit rough around the edges, but this does not hurt the gameplay in a major way.”
- “The gameplay may appear to be simple, but there is a layer of strategy and puzzle-solving revolving around figuring out how to take down each yokai (what items, sequence of attack/defensive actions should be taken, etc).”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The graphics of the game are enhanced by charming art styles, character designs, and visuals that aid in learning hiragana and katakana sounds. Regular updates from the creator contribute to the overall visual appeal and engagement of the game.
- “The music, art style, and character designs add to the charm.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story of the game, even in its early access phase, effectively combines a challenging roguelike deckbuilding experience with an engaging method for learning Japanese, making it both enjoyable and educational.
- “Despite being in early access, the core mission of this game really shines through - enjoying a tough-but-fun roguelike deckbuilding experience while tricking your brain into learning Japanese!”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is described as competitive and engaging, appealing particularly to fans of "Slay the Spire" while offering a unique experience. It also provides an opportunity for players to learn a bit of Japanese, enhancing the overall immersive quality.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight that the music, art style, and character designs significantly enhance the overall charm of the game, contributing positively to the character development experience.
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music, along with the art style and character designs, significantly enhances the game's charm, creating an engaging and immersive experience for players.
- “The music, art style, and character designs add to the charm.”