Sashingo: Learn Japanese With Photography is exactly what its name implies. You step into a miniature recreation of Shibuya, Tokyo, with a camera slung around your neck. The beauty of this game lies in its simplicity. As you stroll through the bustling, scaled-down streets, your trusty polaroid is your only companion. When you snap a picture, the camera latches onto a specific item within the frame, translating it into Japanese, with the Hiragana or Katakana scripts. There’s no pressure of objectives, though you’re gently nudged to uncover every word scatted throughout the map and assemble them in your photo album.
This laid-back approach in Sashingo offers a delightful and innovative way to introduce basic Japanese vocabulary to players. At your discretion, you can tackle small quizzes where you must locate and photograph a given item. It’s a clever fusion of exploration with language learning, and the game executes this concept commendably. Words are enunciated clearly, backed by a comprehensive manual that delves into practical phrases for basic Japanese communication. Compared to Duolingo, Sashingo feels more immersive. While Duolingo serves as an effective educational resource, it doesn’t quite hit the mark in the fun department. Sashingo, conversely, makes word acquisition feel more like play rather than work, granting greater autonomy in selecting the vocabulary you want to explore.
Despite my fascination with Japan and my numerous visits, the language barrier is a persistent challenge. I’ve dabbled with Duolingo, and my partner has enrolled in several Japanese courses. Yet, the crux of mastering any language lies in consistent practice and the necessity to speak it. Without these, progress stalls. Sashingo, while educational, might not be the ideal place to start for language newcomers. Its techniques are sound but fall short in offering the foundational interactions crucial for real-world use of Japanese. Additional depth is provided through the manual, but it relies heavily on listening to recorded phrases, which can be hard to retain without in-game reinforcement.
To my delight, my partner enjoyed watching me play, contributing her rudimentary Japanese from her courses. Easily identifying common items like bottles and traffic lights, she appreciated learning more obscure terms like construction site and cardboard box. It’s this space where Sashingo excels, serving both as a vocabulary expander and an engaging practice resource. Yet, the gaming element could use a little more substance. Although various filters are available upon passing tests, options for creative expression in photography are limited. There’s impressive zoom and focus control, but no ability to tilt the camera or snap selfies, which might leave photography enthusiasts wanting more.
For those already engaged in learning Japanese, Sashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography serves as an excellent supplemental tool. Its charming art style and Shrunk-down Shibuya offer a delightful learning environment, crammed with Japanese terms waiting to be discovered. However, it falls short as a comprehensive learning solution or a full-fledged photography game. Nonetheless, it’s a charming way to pick up some phrases en route to Japan, ready to be put into practice during the journey.
