Language Learning JRPG "Shujinkou" Demo Releasing on Steam Today!

Rice Games :

TOKYO (NOVEMBER 2ND, 2024) – Today, Rice Games Inc is releasing the Demo for their ambitious language learning JRPG, Shujinkou, on Steam. The demo includes roughly 15 hours of gameplay and a thorough introduction to the many mechanics and systems that facilitate comprehensive Japanese language learning for gamers.

WHAT IS SHUJINKOU™?
Shujinkou is a dungeon-crawling JRPG that offers a unique opportunity to learn Japanese as you play. It features thousands of Japanese words, phrases, kana, kanji, and grammar elements that players can master through focus, diligence, and consistency. The language content spans from JLPT N5 to N1 standards, accommodating learners at any stage.

However, learning Japanese is entirely optional. For those more interested in the adventure, Shujinkou delivers a rich JRPG experience. Players can immerse themselves in hundreds of skills, items, deep forging, cooking, fishing, quests, achievements, records to break, and minigames.

Explore a vast world, engage with a riveting story, meet multifaceted characters, enjoy stunning artwork, and lose yourself in hours of dynamic music. All these elements are woven together with a complex set of RPG mechanics to create a truly comprehensive experience.

KEY FEATURES (Full Game)

No Generative AI was used in the process of creating Shujinkou.

STORY
A retired samurai (主) is entrusted with saving his home from intelligent, language-devouring "Akuma" alongside an eccentric fox (人) freed from a cursed abode and an astute princess (公) with her own ambitions.

This title explores two of the six nations in the world of Shujinkou™, each with their own 30-40 hour story campaign. The first arc revolves around the Japanese language being stolen by a mysterious demonic force, inspired by Edo-period ukiyo-e art, and how a retired samurai, Shu, needs to leave his hometown and investigate the cause. Shu and his friends must figure out what started the invasion and what needs to be done to stop it.

Because his family, friends, and former colleagues' lives are now at stake, deep character development across the board (especially Shu) takes place during this arc. The second arc takes place shortly after the first arc's conclusion, and explores Jin and Kou's personality and past in greater detail. There are many surprises in store for the player here.

QUOTES FROM CLOSED BETA TESTERS
"I really love how much Japanese integration there is while still retaining a full game scenario—an ultimate success in gamified learning!" - Player who knew hiragana and basic vocabulary before playing.

"My favorite part was that I'm learning a skill I can use with time, so it's not even that guilty of a pastime like most other games." - Player who had no knowledge of Japanese before playing.

"I basically played it every day I was able to, and found myself genuinely learning things to the point that I, without any help, read what someone wrote (in Japanese) on a Discord server the other day." - Player who has wanted to, but struggled to learn Japanese for over a decade.

"Shujinkou has been great for getting me to reengage with learning Japanese and I basically enjoyed all of the characters that I met from minor NPCs to the playable cast, which isn't a small feat." - Player who actively studied Japanese in the past.

"The Art team did a very good job in the character designs and the monsters, both in the open world and while fighting—the huge art of the Yajuu was bada**. Oh, and good lord did the Music team nail it. I just cannot express to you how well they came off to me as music is a very big part of my overall enjoyment and experience in a game." - Player who has looked for a legitimate game to properly teach them Japanese.