Shujinkou News

Rice Games Inc is ecstatic to start 2025 with a huge announcement—Pre-orders for Shujinkou, a brand new JRPG IP and the first title in the Shujinkou Trilogy, start today on the PlayStation® Store (PS5) 13:00 PST / 16:00 EST / 21:00 UTC. Shujinkou comes in three different editions:

• Base Edition - $59.99 (Americas) / €59.99 (Europe)
  
• Deluxe Edition - $69.99 (Americas / €69.99 (Europe)
  
• Super Deluxe Edition - $79.99 (Americas) / €79.99 (Europe)
  

[h2]Pre-Order Launch Trailer[/h2]
[previewyoutube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kFYUyVRKRY[/previewyoutube]

The new launch trailer, which was released on PlayStation's official YouTube channel, introduces Shujinkou's three main characters (Shu, Jin, and Kou) and the game's core mechanics—the first half covers collecting Kanakae Orbs for usage in the turn-based combat system, enemy negotiations (Koushou), equipment forging, skills in battle (Arawasu), Kakusei, and general labyrinth exploration. Afterwards, an introduction to the 200 side-quests (Youkyuu), the six partners of the Fuu Lobby, and the Akagi Decoration functionality is featured. The last portion of the trailer covers exclusive content pre-ordering customers will be able to receive, as well as a brief introduction to the extra products included in the Shujinkou Deluxe Edition and Shujinkou Super Deluxe Edition.

• Important: Near the end of the trailer, an
• is applied to the line: "Become the main protagonist, and learn* one of the hardest languages in the world (Japanese) while you're at it":
• Learning functionalities are implemented through a series of optional gameplay mechanics and systems. Shujinkou™ is not specifically a language-learning tool, and can be fully enjoyed as a traditional JRPG.
  
• Shujinkou (主人公) means "main protagonist" or "hero" in Japanese.
  

[h2]Release Date Announced[/h2]
Rice Games Inc is also excited to announce that Shujinkou is digitally releasing on PS5, PS4, and PC (Steam) on February 13th, 2025. All three editions are being released on all three platforms.
A port for Nintendo Switch is currently in development and more news is expected later in 2025.
Physical copies are under consideration and more news regarding that is expected later in 2025.

Brief summary of each of the products included in Shujinkou's different editions
Shujinkou ($59.99 / €59.99): This is the base game. Experience the first title in the Shujinkou Trilogy—an 80-hour story campaign with over 150 hours of gameplay content, featuring dozens of new friends and foes in the brand new IP.

• Shujinkou Digital Artbook: 35 wide-pages filled with hundreds of sketches and designs featuring characters, enemies, UI, typography, labyrinth maps, and more.
  
• Shujinkou Select Soundtrack: 22 selected songs (75 minutes) from the 158-track Shujinkou Original Soundtrack consolidated into its own unique music player.
  
• Akuma Quests DLC (standalone: $8.99 / €8.99): Six brand new demon-inspired costumes and storylines with the Fuu Lobby partners! Enjoy new scenarios, enemies, illustrations, decorations, trophies, and more for 10-15 hours of gameplay. NOTE: Purchasing the Super Deluxe Edition allows you to obtain this DLC for 44% off.
  
• Swimsuit Quests DLC (standalone: $8.99 / €8.99): Six brand new swimsuits and storylines with the Fuu Lobby partners! Enjoy new scenarios, enemies, illustrations, decorations, trophies, and more for 10-15 hours of gameplay. NOTE: Purchasing the Super Deluxe Edition allows you to obtain this DLC for 44% off.
  

Select Soundtrack - 11 minute preview trailer on YouTube
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


[h2]Shujinkou's Key Features[/h2]

• Experience an 80-hour story—the campaign is primarily split into two major arcs.
  
• Explore 16 handcrafted labyrinths, each filled with dozens of challenges.
  
• Learn all hiragana, katakana, and hundreds of kanji through the Kanakae system.
  
• Learn over 100 types of grammar corresponding from JLPT's N5 to N3 standards and listen to over 700 vocal lines each from native Japanese
  
• Fight over 300 enemies with unique names using hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
  
• Learn over 180 Arawasu skills for usage in battle, the field, and as bonuses.
  
• Bond with six passionate partners and experience 42 story quests & 120 short events.
  
• View over 80 special 4K illustrations throughout the main story and partner content.
  
• Play six minigames that review various aspects of Japanese—there's fishing too!
  
• Enjoy a seven-hour, 158-track soundtrack featuring over a dozen musical genres.
  

[h2]Game Review Keys for Shujinkou[/h2]
Rice Games Inc is looking into sending game review copies later this month in time for Shujinkou's full release on February 13th 2025. If you would like to directly receive a review copy (we will be providing copies of the Super Deluxe Edition), please send an email to Rice Games Inc with the topic "Shujinkou Review Key Request for " where is set as PS5, PS4, or PC (Steam) to [email protected] - and a code will be supplied.

[h2]Shujinkou Demo is Currently Available[/h2]
A demo is also currently available on Steam and PlayStation 5, featuring 15-20 hours of gameplay. Save data can be transfered to the full game only on the Steam version.

[h2]Age Ratings[/h2]

• ESRB Teen: Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
  
• PEGI 18: Use of Alcohol/Tobacco
  
• USK 16: Alkohol, Drogen, Fantasy-Gewalt, Schreckmomente, Sexuelle Andeutungen
  
• ACB M: Drug References, Mature Themes, Nudity, Sexual References, Violence
  

[h2]Links[/h2]

• Shujinkou on PlayStation: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10003429
  
• Shujinkou on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1386630
  
• Shujinkou (Wikipedia)
  

Heya! We've got a new patch released for the demo. A couple more important bugs have been addressed and squashed, and a few QOL additions have made their way into the Demo.


[h2]QOL / Balancing[/h2]

• New Feature: Sprint by Default - False by default, but you can now go to the Options Menu to change movement so that players can SPRINT by default rather than walk.
  
• Select "End tutorial button" on Back press - If you are using a controller and end up deselecting the button for ending a tutorial, you can now press "Back" (Circle button, B on Xbox) to go back.
  
• Controller's R Stick now moves more smoothly when selecting kanakae orbs in battle. It used to default to a set position on the screen, but now the cursor can move in a circular direction. Some added buffers also prevent the cursor from auto-selecting an orb without the player's intention.
  
• Size of the Uma enemy (Horse) has been increased.
  
• Minor balancing for some bosses in Genya and enemies in Sanrin.
  
• Adjust Tsuri (Fishing) algorithm so that the grade of the Bait that you select has a greater impact on how easy (or difficult) it is to fish up any kind of fish.
  
• Remove the unnecessary and slightly too-wordy "Storage" tutorial.
  
• Polish all textual data for example words used in all Hiragana and Katakana Kanban so that the font doesn't become too small and so that it's legible even on smaller screens (like the Steam Deck).
  

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• Forge sometimes doesn't work when first pressing the "Forge" button. Fixed!
  
• Fix Battle Speed setting sometimes lasting beyond the end of battle.
  
• Prevent menu scroll null exception error that would rarely take place if a player spammed inputs when leaving the game and returning to the main menu.
  
• Fix issue with Tsuri (Fishing) minigame's input not working properly on certain devices if a controller is connected and the D-pad is used as an input, and when Hold to Mash is turned off.
  
• Fix issue with Jin's Nen'oshi being rounded up to a whole number only for display, when the value should be rounded down.
  
• Fix a formula issue with Ontological Weaknesses not increasing the damage multiplier as much as it really should (now you'll deal EVEN MORE damage!)
  

Thank you for taking the time to read our patch notes!
Julian

Hello! We've got a new patch released for the demo. A couple important bugs have been addressed and squashed, and a few QOL additions have made their way into the Demo.


[h3]QOL[/h3]

• Hero status change preview preserves its state in Mokubukiya now, so you can scroll through items and it'll show the preview with how their attributes would change when comparing their currently equipped weapon or armor with the currently selected weapon or armor.
  
• Labyrinth control indicators (Strafe, Dash, Chizu) appear if the player idles for 5 seconds.
  

[h3]Bug Fixes[/h3]

• Four enemies had incorrect positioning for their Move Order icon and Enemy View menu fixed.
  
• Rarely, a Hitokoto can cause an exception in loading screen. Hitokoto are the spoken barks on the bottom left of the screen, often seen when in the labyrinths and nation map.
  
• Dialogue not being clickable with mouse after a Hunt quest's Hunt requirement has been cleared and Hunt kaiwa exists for said specific quest.
  
• Camera jumps abruptly when an akuma is defeated—this was not the intended behavior and has been fixed for a MUCH smoother experience.
  
• At least half of the issues with UI clipping mysterious black textures covering various UI elements have been resolved. There are still a few more instances to investigate and fix.
  
• Update Momoko's Sadou illustration's thumbnail in the Gallery Menu to reflect the adjusted wooden ladle position.
  
• Fixed rare game-breaking bug where you couldn't get back into the game if you save while having the "Heal TR Gradually" Arawasu skill active.
  
• Volume for the track "Happy Days" was a bit too quiet so it's been amped up.
  
• Kanakae Orb duplication bug reported here has been fixed.
  
• Fix very rare crash in the loading screen that could happen when leaving Himamura and heading to the Nation.
  

Thanks again for taking the time to read our patch notes!
Julian

Hello! We've got a new patch released for the demo. Because we didn't post an announcement for the initial two patches, which took place on Day 1 and 2 respectively when the demo was released, the notes for those patches will be included here too.



Add "Reminder to Save" toggle option in Options Menu.

• If enabled, the game will remind you after a few consecutive random encounters (if you have not saved) to save. If you say yes, the game will save immediately—this streamlines gameplay and grinding a bit and reduces the need to have to always go to the Party Menu to save.
  
• If disabled, the game will not remind you to save.
  
• When this appears in-game, you have the option to Snooze. Snoozing will automatically turn the toggle option OFF/disabled. You can adjust these settings again in the Options menu.
  
• IMPORTANT: This setting is set to OFF/disabled if you already have existing save data.
  

Add "Visible in Background" toggle option in Options Menu.

• If enabled, the game remains active when changing tabs/screens/monitors/apps.
  
• If disabled, the game's app/music stops and/or disappears when changing tabs/screens/monitors/apps.
  

Implement up/down paging for the Kemono Kiroku (Bestiary)

• Usually you can skip through (10 entries at a time) by pressing Left/Right, but now you can also press Down when on the last active button, and press Up when on the first active button, and that will automatically take you to the next page of enemies/akuma to view.
  

Miscellaneous

• Pause main menu music during the Dedication screen and wait until the player clicks to continue before resuming the music
  
• Fix exception when spamming inputs right after leaving the game to return to the main menu.
  
• Fix exception when saving and loading the game after using an Arawasu skill that acts similarly to a Field item.
  
• Fix exception when quickly mashing inputs in Mokubukiya and other shops to buy or sell items.
  
• Fix input soft-lock when quickly mashing enter/exit inputs in Omikuji
  
• Improve wooden ladle position in the first special Sadou illustration with Momoko.
  

• Implement "M Key" as another way to open/close the Chizu in labyrinths.
  
• Auto-detect if the current in-game resolution setting is too low, and auto-adjust from there.
  
• Fix exception when clicking Discord Community UI shortly after "Continue" is pressed.
  
• Fix exception relating to Mokubukiya when out in the labyrinth.
  
• Fix exception when spamming buttons/inputs right before a conversation is about to start.
  
• Fix exception when spamming buttons/inputs in any Healing Station.
  
• Fix some Himamura minor characters appearing visually funky in the town.
  
• Update some art assets with polished versions, specifically 5 normal Akuma / enemies.
  

• Add "click to continue" feature to Dedication screen at the start of the game.
  
• Fix edge case with certain text not being initialized properly in the loading screen.
  

Thanks for taking the time to read our patch notes!
Julian

[h3]Hey! We're live on the Playstation Store.[/h3]
The team plans on releasing the Shujinkou PS5 Demo on November 15th.

We just released the gameplay trailer on the PS5 Game Hub!

Please feel free to check out the store page and wishlist Shujinkou if you plan on playing it on the PS5!

[h2]Wishlist Shujinkou on the PS5 Here:[/h2]
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10003429



Thank you for all the feedback so far—we're working hard to make Shujinkou as good as it can be for launch next month!

Julian