50/50 on Entrance Exam
In short, This game is a decent attempt at an educational title even if it is a bit quirky at times. This is the first time I've ever seen anyone use whack a mole to learn vocabulary! The content is there for basic japanese but the effort for a comprehensive learning tool is not - japanese coach 2? Its a good start for those who want to learn the basics/test what they already know without buying books or going to classes but it ain't no magic fairy fluent dust.
In long I've noticed a few annoyances.. probably due to the game being rushed or whatever. Amongst these is having to play minigames 4 maybe 5 times per each set of 10 words before being able to move on to the next lesson instead of a comprehension test or something to summarise every few lessons. In one of the minigames you have to pick the correct answer to a question (or translation) from 4 multiple choice options. so the word on the top screen might be "How are you?" and you would have to choose between
a) konnichiwa
b) onna no hito
c) demo
d) genki desu ka?
By tapping the correct answer on the bottom screen. Often the choices are completely random so the correct word might be blindingly obvious like asking for a translation of say Febuary and choice C being the only one of the four with a number in it.
Theres much worse cases such as the audio questions on kana.
Q: ひ
a) neko
b) genki desu
c) hi
d) onna no hito
This really annoys me cuz its not even a real question. its just like its testing if you heard her properly (hard to mistake C for D) or if your speakers work. pointless.
Theres also strange written questions like this:
Q：RI
a) KA
b) り
c) SE
d) A
And questions like this have popped up a few times..
Q：ＳＥ
a) SE
b) せ
ｃ） taberu
c) どもありがとう
So I thought "the answers got to be B right? the others are just stupid?" and tapped B but no Ｉ was wrong?! A was correct???? Sometimes its just a matter of luck..
The selection buttons are really close together and hyper sensitive (unless your trying to draw kana such as ウ where you have to get it spot on perfect or the game says your answer is incorrect) so be careful not to tap the wrong thing when your against the clock.
Miss Attitude-Problem doesn't introduce herself unless you start at lesson 1. This means if you get a enough answers correct on the entrance exam, you don't get told how the game works or how to use any of the learning material. Whatshername says some really uninspiring things during your lessons. "What?! Your leaving?! These words aren't going to master themselves!" amongst other things which are rude and demotivating..
Another thing is TOO MUCH ROMAJI! I'm on lesson 40+ and I still can't get rid of it. Before i bought this i was told that this game had enough content to get you through JLPT4.. which I'm doubting now..
I've got more to say on this but can't be bothered to write it now.. If you have any questions PM me or write them here..