Shujinkou News

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• Fix typos and add one missing helper dialogue to the quest: Gymprovements
• Add one missing helper dialogue to the quest: Jail Time, Bail Time
• Fix disgusting bug where, under very specific certain conditions, the game could lock and infinitely loop when in a town. Caught by players playing through Tatiana's third Kizuna quest and one of Hina's Kizuna quests.
  
• Fix bug regarding item removal logic in one of the exchange shops in the second half of the game.
  
• Fix bug where sometimes using a battle item with "Any Ally" scope could cause it to be used on an ally you didn't select. Bad!
  
• Fixed a bug relating to the Nen'oshi trophy (achievement).
  

[h2]Polish / Quality of Life[/h2]

• Sold Item Stock System: Now, when you sell items to shopkeepers like Daisuke and Kunihiko, they will keep the items in their shop, and can be used for valuable in-game features such as Forging and Cooking without the need to have the required items actively present in your Inventory or Storage. This should greatly reduce the risk or uncertainty present thinking about selling your hard-earned materials, resources, ingredients, and more.
  
• L3 / 1 - English-Only Functionality on All Menus: We've tested and confirmed that L3 / 1 can now be used on every menu in the game. This includes when in shops, in the Party Menu, Tutorials, and more. Please note that currently, the English-Only keybind gets temporarily disabled right after entering and leaving the Options Menu, and resets after leaving the Party Menu once.
  

[h2]Balancing[/h2]

• Increased max active Youkyuu from 5 to 12.
• Increase the chance of a target enemy for a Hunt youkyuu appearing by a fair amount.
  
• Jin's Nen'oshi now gives you a scaling monetary reward the more times you complete it.
  
• Hebi now has an increased encounter rate in Area 3 of Labyrinth 2.
  

[h2]Miscellaneous[/h2]

• Removed Slide 1 from the 3-slide Options Menu tutorial. It contained too much redundant material to warrant a slide.
  
• Added new tutorial for Sold Item Stock system.
  
• Added new tutorial image for Mokubukiya Tutorial (Slide 2).
  

[h2]Our Biggest Feature / Fix Priorities[/h2]

• PS5 Save Data Transfer from Demo to Full Game (optional for those who want to use it).
  
• We are still working on optimizing the PS4 version.
  
• There seems to be an issue with Steam Cloud for many users.
  
• Some of the grammar and word-based Kanban have long-enough sentences that it makes it hard to read on a smaller screen. We will be adjusting the UI for this.
  
• We are working on a fix to increase Storage capacities for certain items.
  
• We are working on a fix for playing on ultrawide monitors.
  
• Existing R3 / CTRL keybinds are to be changed to allow for display-changing across all four display types in any menu (like the Item Compendium menu).
  
• Investigating the Tsuri (Fishing) minigame input issue on some PCs.
  
• Loading Lore Menu in the Party Menu (Lexicon) is in development.
  
• Using To Protect on an enemy that uses a group-wide attack can cause stalling issues in-game.
  
• An enemy that attempts to heal an enemy that decides to escape that exact turn can cause stalling issues in-game.
  
• We want to add a "Fast-Forward" (by holding a certain key) to some minigames so that they can be played and progressed through more quickly.
  
• Lighting issues (areas are too bright) for a small subset of computers, specifically in labyrinths during Dusk and Night (sometimes Dawn), but also sometimes on the Nation Map.
  
• D-pad movement, especially with controller, as well as keyboard-only movement, can be slow and laggy, and not fun for dungeon-crawlers who are more accustomed to D-pad movement (instead of the L-stick, which currently is the smoothest working solution).
  

Thanks again for playing Shujinkou. We'll be pushing hard on fixes and quality of life updates in March, now that the Release phase has cooled down a little bit. Hoping to see you soon in the depths of Sanrin and other dungeons! 🌟
Julian Rice

Our fourth Metacritic-affiliated review is here! We got a review from Matt Sainsbury (Editor-in-Chief of Digitally Downloaded), scoring Shujinkou a maximum score of 5 stars—only the second one the publication has given this year!

[h2]Please give the full review a read here:[/h2]
https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2025/02/review-shujinkou-sony-playstation-5




[h2]Excerpts from the Review[/h2]

• "(...) Of all the many “language learning” games I’ve played, Shujinkou is the one that “gets it” the best. And that’s precisely because it eases you into Japanese using it in context."
  
  
• "Because the game is there to teach, it actually has more of a narrative than most dungeon crawlers. Oh, and it’ll take you 70 or so hours to play through. This thing has substance, is the point."
  
  
• "The induction (...from too many tutorials at once) is likely to be at least mildly confusing to most players until they have taken the time to immerse themselves within the game itself and mess around with the systems personally." - Oops! We'll see what we can do about that! - Julian
  
  
• "It’s a testament to the quality of the game that it holds up perfectly well if you don’t want to be educated by it at all, but if you do take it seriously, it’ll actually progress you pretty far down the path to proficiency all by itself."

[h2]Review Conclusion[/h2]
"Shujinkou is a genuinely worthwhile language tool wrapped up in a genuinely worthwhile indie Etrian Odyssey-style dungeon crawler. It’s an inspired, intelligent idea and I hope people give it a chance despite being as indie as they come. On sheer ambition and creative energy, I would be hard-pressed to point to anything I have ever played that’s more impressive than this."

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]

• Fixed issue with a hanging black screen in the quest: Diversion Needed
• Fixed issue with bugged progression in the quest: Farewell My Friends
• Fixed minor typo and data issues with the quest: Shitano's Secret
• Fixed wrong name being used for an instruction in the quest: Seeking Momo
• Fix bug with certain Buff moves used by enemies unintentionally buffing allies.
  
• Fix complex trigger bug with the Rage, Fear, and Curse ailments.
  
• Fixed many player-reported typos with Blue Texts and in-game dialogue.
  
• Fixed a quiet exception (error) taking place when quitting Sakana Sensou mid round.
  
• Fixed a quiet exception (error) related to stroke animation of words and kanji when when interacting with Kanban in the second half of the game.
  
• Fixed a few typos for the romaji and furigana equivalents for some keys (the items).
  
• Added missing explanations for a few copula and particles in Okkake no Osakenori.
  
• Fix a couple typos found relating to the Fuu Lobby and Minigame system.
  
• Added better error handling for a bizarre crash with dialogue that has a 1-3% chance of occurring specifically when Sanrin is unlocked in the Nation Map. So strange...
  
• Refine the position of the Youkyuu ! icon and some speech bubbles for many of the NPCs in Town 6.
  

[h2]Polish / Quality of Life[/h2]

• Implemented new Update System for keeping players updated in-game when new updates such as "Patch Notes" are released.
  
• New Option: Default to Keyboard Icons (off by default)
  
• New Option: Select between 3 Glyph Sets on Steam Deck and PC
  

[h2]Balancing[/h2]

• To Heal Health - Bumped Cost from 30 TR to 75 TR.
  
• To Heal Mana - Bumped Cost from 25 MR to 40 MR.
  
• To Gradually Heal - Bumped Cost from 40 MR to 60 MR.
  

[h2]Our Biggest Feature / Fix Priorities[/h2]

• PS5 Save Data Transfer from Demo to Full Game (optional for those who want to use it).
  
• We've noticed the PS4 version crashing more often than we'd like—This is due to the device's memory issues, and we are investigating a fix as soon as we can.
  
• We plan on bumping the maximum quests from 5 to 10, 12, or 15 soon.
  
• Some of the grammar and word-based Kanban have long-enough sentences that it makes it hard to read on a smaller screen. We will be adjusting the UI for this.
  
• We are currently working on a proper fix to increase Inventory and Storage capacities for Material and Resource items.
  
• We are working to ensure that L3 / 1 can be used in any menu.
  
• We are working so that existing R3 / CTRL keybinds are changed and the R3 / CTRL keybind allows for display-changing across all four display types in any menu (like the Item Compendium menu).
  
• We've heard reports that the Tsuri (Fishing) minigame may not work properly, or the inputs are not clear enough, for certain PC players. We are investigating this.
  
• We got a request to add a new menu to the Party Menu that allows for players to revisit some of the lengthier lore displayed in the Loading Screens. We're considering implementing this.
  
• Lighting issues (areas are too bright) for a small subset of computers, specifically in labyrinths during Dusk and Night (sometimes Dawn), but also sometimes on the Nation Map.
  
• D-pad movement, especially with controller, as well as keyboard-only movement, can be slow and laggy, and not fun for dungeon-crawlers who are more accustomed to D-pad movement (instead of the L-stick, which currently is the smoothest working solution).
  

Thank you so much for playing Shujinkou.

We will be focusing on refining the experience based on player feedback so that Shujinkou can become as refined of a JRPG as it can be.

Don't forget that you can join our Discord Community (with over 500 members!), where fans are able to quickly ask questions, get help, and get directly in touch with the team at Rice Games. Link: https://discord.gg/UdCdvSuwpk


Thanks again, and we'll see you in your next crawling session!
Julian Rice

Our third Metacritic-affiliated review is here! We got a review from Pyre Kavanagh (NoisyPixel), scoring Shujinkou at a must-play 9.5 out of 10, tying their score for Monster Hunter Wilds! The reviewer put over 50 hours into the game and cleared the first half (Genya Story Arc).

[h2]Please give the full review a read here:[/h2]
https://noisypixel.net/shujinkou-review-jrpg-learn-japanese/




[h2]Excerpts from the Review[/h2]

• "We’ve got a script and game that loves all sorts of details, from extremely easy-to-miss Drakengard references to dungeon monsters that are closer to Mary Skelter than Etrian Odyssey, showing a wide focus, plus jokes about video game translation (I lost it during the Advent Children translation gag)."
  
  
• "One detail that is a real treat is the shopkeepers. It’s normal practice for an RPG to have item descriptions, sometimes with flavor text, but this title goes the extra step and offers flavor text directly from the merchants themselves. It goes a long way to fleshing out these minor cast members and making regular preparations more enjoyable."
  
  
• "I got blown away at so many points in this game. Sure, at first, it was a nifty dungeon crawler with a fun Japanese teaching gimmick, but it continued to up the stakes."
  
  
• "The dungeon crawling is very challenging, and while you can play on an easy mode to experience the fantastic story and characters fast, the incremental pacing of this genre really works well with the vastness of what the game is also teaching."
  
  
• "The level of integration this game has with its Japanese teaching content, script, and world makes it feel shockingly normal. It’s an incredible JRPG that also just happens to be an extremely enjoyable learning tool."
  
  
• "Shujinkou is a phenomenal game, easily making its way to the ranks of my favorite JRPGs. It has interesting characters, an in-depth and strategic combat system, and a learning gimmick that is flawlessly integrated."

[h2]Review Conclusion[/h2]
"Shujinkou is a masterfully crafted JRPG that seamlessly blends dungeon crawling, turn-based combat, and an innovative Japanese language learning system. With deep gameplay mechanics, rich world-building, and a clever integration of language education, it’s a unique experience for both RPG lovers and language enthusiasts. Though some mechanics, like ailments and demon negotiation, feel underutilized, the game’s engaging story, stylish UI, and immersive soundtrack make it a must-play."

[h3]Bug Fixes[/h3]

• Fix bug relating to storage and retrieval of weapons and armor if done in a certain way, and prevent storage of more than one of the same equipment at once at in the Confirm UI.
  
• Fix a couple of typos on some Kanban in the mid-game.
  
• Fix ぬ not being an ontological strike on the ヌー enemy. There has always been support for Hiragana and Katakana to both work on all enemies that have non-kanji names.
  
• Fix a soft-crash that can occur with under 3% chance when receiving a gifted item from an akuma after a successful negotiation.
  
• Fix other reported typos found in some Youkyuu
  
• Fix screen tearing on the PS5
  

[h3]Polish / Quality of Life[/h3]

• Added even better special effects for a big boss battle in Labyrinth 7.
  

[h3]Our Biggest Feature / Fix Priorities[/h3]

• PS5 Save Data Transfer from Demo to Full Game (optional for those who want to use it).
  
• A fix for Inventory and Storage to make it a little bit more forgiving / reasonable and allow for more items to be held at once (specifically: Resources and Materials).
  
• Allowing L3 / 1's "English Mode" to be usable on any and all menus in the game.
  
• Remapping a few instances of R3 / CTRL to other keybinds, and implementing QOL such that R3 / CTRL can be used to forcibly change every text to a certain display type (English, Japanese, Furigana, Romaji) to be usable on any and all menus in the game.
  
• New option to select the set of glyphs to use for PC and Steam Deck users (Microsoft set, PlayStation set, etc).
  
• New option to default to Keyboard glyphs EVEN if a controller is connected (rare case, but a desire for this was voiced by a gamer).
  
• Fix display issues and allow the game to run properly on all ultrawide monitors.
  
• Fix potential issue with soft-locking movement in Labyrinth 5 (have yet to reproduce this).
  
• Adjust Kanban that teach Grammar / Words so that the sentences on the top take the whole width, as this will reduce instances of "small font" present in some signboards.
  
• Lighting issues (areas are too bright) for a small subset of computers, specifically in labyrinths during Dusk and Night (sometimes Dawn), but also sometimes on the Nation Map.
  
• D-pad movement, especially with controller, as well as keyboard-only movement, can be slow and laggy, and not fun for dungeon-crawlers who are more accustomed to D-pad movement (instead of the L-stick, which currently is the smoothest working solution).
  
• Under certain circumstances, the Curse ailment does not always trigger in battle.
  
• Crash reports due to running out of memory on the PS4 (base console, not the PS4 Pro).
  

Thank you for playing Shujinkou. The team and I are excited to see more and more players progress through the game. Some of our players have finally cleared the first major story arc, and the feedback has been amazing and extremely reassuring. The team and I are excited to see what our players think of the second major story arc!

Thanks again, and happy dungeon-crawling!
Julian Rice