After almost 2 years, I'm trying to relearn Japanese on my own (as you can see by this review's title). Thinking it would make a great supplemental tool, I snatched up My Japanese Coach without looking up the reviews in advance. Trust me when I say this will never happen again. Going through the first 29 lessons of this learning game, you get a clear picture of what to expect from the remaining 71.
With the help of a kimono-clad virtual host, you learn various Japanese words and phrases through sound, speech and writing while testing your knowledge in a growing number of minigames. Mastering words in the minigames unlock the next lesson, a real detriment for those with advanced knowledge of the language. Another problem with MJC is that it starts off teaching random words and doesn't even cover 'kana,' or Japanese characters, and writing them until Lesson 6, as though assuming the player has some grasp of Japanese. Speaking of writing, a little experimentation confirms that MJC has issues with the stroke order of kana. And MJC's point system makes it so you can grind with the minigames and unlock each lesson while you hardly learn anything. If that's not enough to dissuade you, the main game's so dependent on the romanization of the language that the player becomes dependent on it too.
I can honestly say from personal experience that one can learn more from the most boring, underfunded college language course than from MJC. Of course, no video game can truly supplement real-world learning. With a built-in dictionary and phrasebook included in the game, I still recommend it if only to build up your vocabulary.
This review will be revised with further testing of the product.
This game is rated E for Everyone.Get more detail about My Japanese Coach.
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