Shujinkou News

We got a review from Joe Morgan (GeeksUnderGrace), scoring Shujinkou at an 8.5/10! The reviewer put around 20-25 hours of play into the story, unlocked Jin, and progressed to the ending point of the third labyrinth (there are 10 story labyrinths total), if not a little bit further.

[h2]Please give the full review a read here:[/h2]
https://www.geeksundergrace.com/gaming/review-shujinkou/




[h2]Excerpts from the Review[/h2]

• "Driven by passion, (indie games) have the potential to develop unique games big studios would never greenlight. Enter Shujinkou, a dungeon-crawling JRPG with Japanese language learning as a major part of its core focus. There’s something you’ll never see Sony or Nintendo do, and the industry will be better for the effort.
  
  
• "I like the story well enough to dig my heels in, and the characters are well-written and fleshed out on top of that. The game does a great job of making the cast likable while being multifaceted. I appreciated the way all their attitudes and motivations could really show through, no matter the situation."
  
  
• "You may mistake Shujinkou‘s battle system for the same turn-based mechanics you’ve seen for years. While it derives from the familiar, it cleverly utilizes language mechanics to great effect. (...) It’s genuinely turned into a combat system I thoroughly enjoy."
  
  
• "On top of the dungeons, there are towns you can explore. You can chat with different folks, buy food and gear, interact with your friends, and pick up side quests from the mission board in town. These can range from taking out a group of enemies to bringing certain items from your dungeon dives. The breadth of content here is impressive."
  
  
• "The game also features a banger soundtrack that never felt out of place."

[h2]Review Conclusion[/h2]
"Shujinkou and games like it are why I love the indie scene so much. (...) This went from being something I’d never heard of to one of my favorite conceptual experiences in years. I’ve both grown to enjoy the dungeon-crawling format and picked up a TON of Japanese in my time with the game. If you’re interested in indie games, RPGs, or learning Japanese, I recommend considering this gem. It has its flaws but I think it’s been well worth my time."

Bottom Line: "While Shujinkou isn't perfect, the fusion of Japanese language learning and turn-based combat provides a wonderful title that both educates and satisfies the gamer patient enough to learn and engage with its systems."

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for purchasing Shujinkou. The team and I are ecstatic to see you make your way through Genya and Sabaku, experiencing thousands of fun, terrifying, and emotional moments as you embark on this great journey. Please feel free to share your favorite moments as Screenshots, Artwork, or Videos in the Shujinkou Community Hub!



If you purchased the Shujinkou Deluxe or Super Deluxe Edition, you can access the Digital Artbook and Select Soundtrack by doing the following:

1. Head to Shujinkou in the Library
   
2. Find the Settings and click Properties
   
3. Go to "Installed Files"
   
4. Click "Browse"
   
5. There should be a Mac and Windows folder. Please click into the one that matches your OS and feel free to open the two special executables.
   
7. If it isn't refreshing, try going to "Installed Files" and clicking the "Verify integrity of game files" button
   

Please note that there is support for downloading the Digital Artbook as a PDF and the Select Soundtrack as a zip of either WAV files or MP3 files (support for both types is available).

Please also note that there are some spoilers in the Digital Artbook. Specifically, the Environments, Enemies, and Story Illustrations sections! Beware!

Finally, we have some QOL patches planned for the next month, specifically geared at PC gamers. Please look forward to an upcoming news announcement for that soon. If you run into issues or have feedback, feel free to post in our Community Hub. However, the fastest way to reach us is through the official Shujinkou Discord server, which you can join here: Join the Shujinkou Discord Server

Warm regards,
Julian Rice
Director, Producer of Shujinkou

*Art by Catthy Trinh (atelierailuros)

Hey everyone! We're ecstatic and very honored to announce that RPGFan has reviewed Shujinkou and given it their Editor's Choice distinction and an extraordinary 95/100, placing it among some of the most celebrated RPGs of ALL TIME (around the 97th percentile of their reviewed games)!!

[h2]Please give the full review a read below:[/h2]
https://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/shujinkou



Shujinkou is not an educational game, nor is it "edutainment." As mentioned in the review above, Shujinkou is, first and foremost, a full JRPG that can be enjoyed without any aspect of learning. However, for those who do want to learn Japanese while they play, the systems are in place to facilitate that.

[h2]Shujinkou's Core 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 male and female speakers.
  
• 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.
  

While this is only one review from one publication, it was reviewed by someone who played through Shujinkou's entire story campaign, something that reviewers at other publications are aiming to progress through right now! We will keep you posted on other reviews that come out at major publications! ❤️

You can pre-order or order Shujinkou and play today (Deluxe/Super Deluxe) on PS5:
Sony PlayStation 5 Store

We look forward to seeing you in Genya and Sabaku!
Team @ Rice Games

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