Video Game Mini-Review: Easy Japanesey

Developer & Publisher: Thalamus Digital

Genre: Education

Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch

I’ve studied Japanese on and off for nearly 10 years, and while I haven’t been consistent in my studies since the pandemic, I do like to find applications and resources that can help keep my brain tuned. It’s fairly easy to recognize something that works, even if it doesn’t work for everyone. Easy Japanesey is something that likely won’t work for anyone.

This might sound like hyperbole, but there is very little here regarding teaching. If a total beginner picks up Easy Japanesey, they will be completely in the dark. There are no lessons, no explanations, nothing. It’s essentially flashcards that can be selected based on the JLPT level or the game’s default libraries. This game is only playable by people who are somewhat well along on the path of Japanese mastery, but even if that kind of person has made it that far, they already have something that works much better than Easy Japanesey.

You won’t learn about Hiragana or Katakana. You won’t learn grammar. You won’t learn kanj. It’s just repetitive cards and tiles and annoying music. There aren’t even any nice animations. A phone app can do this better.

I don’t like being negative in reviews, but there is zero reason to try Easy Japanesey. Just about anything else is more effective. Even reading a textbook is more entertaining than this.