Video games are the perfect tool for taking your Japanese to the next level. If you’re like me, you’ve been told your attention span is as long as a grain of koshihikari rice. You’ll see definitions, in-context usage examples and helpful illustrations. The timeless Ghibli style lends to its current appeal; you won’t have the slightest feeling you’re playing a game that’s four years old. Menu メニュー menyu We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. While a lot of it is about monster and weapon attributes, there are also legitimate lore sections worked into the “Magic Master” that develop and enrich the gorgeous world you’ll be exploring. I’m here to finish it (at least for Japanese learners). Video games like The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon have interactive dialogues, where the player can choose when to go on with the conversation. Traveler 旅人 tabibito While you’ll pick up more cultural cues and tidbits from an originally Japanese game, there’s also something to be gained from knowing how professional translators approached the characters you’re already familiar with. Chances are, if you’re learning Japanese, you’ve played some Japanese video games. Speaking of adults, most of us (don’t laugh) will learn the ins-and-outs of speaking to children. JRPG series. After spending as much time with this game as I know you will, it’ll seem like it should most definitely be the first Japanese book to put on your shelf. After you’re done with 4, there are at least three other, newer games that you can dive into immediately (might I recommend the newest “Kiwami”). Save セーブ sebu © 2020 Valve Corporation. And it’s pretty damn cool—even for an adult. You can find video games for all levels and types, but if you are a beginner I suggest you to start with these titles: Even if you can’t get a Japanese copy of the game (or in case your console is region locked), all the aforementioned games allow you to set Japanese audio and subtitles, thus allowing you to improve your listening and comprehension skills. Nihon. Settings 設定 settei Enemy 敵 teki What city are you interested in studying in? Yes, the dialogue leans heavily toward typically-male Japanese, but there are at least three female characters who have plenty of talk time from which you can cull your own style. Go! If you click on them and make a purchase, we will receive commission at no extra cost to you. War 戦争 sensou That’s not exactly the case. FluentU is another awesome way to learn Japanese with subtitles (and other great features!) The broadcast visibility is not public. can take anywhere. Assuming you don’t already have one, personally, I would pick up the 3 first; you’ll get more content for lower prices, and the games are still very relevant. By the end of this game you’ll have most certainly moved from beginner to intermediate, and some will have the reading experience points to make the jump to advanced. When Victor wrestles himself away from Final Fantasy XV, he writes a blog focused on the humorous and dabbling in the ridiculous. Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. As you might know, the building blocks of the Japanese language and writing system are two syllabic alphabets, hiragana and katakana. Health 体力 tairyoku It has the charm and emotional impact of “Castle in the Sky” with the satisfying RPG elements of “Dark Cloud 2,” all mixed with a bit of “Pokemon.” That all combines for 100+ hours of excellent Japanese exposure. Don’t be scared of this game. If you’re new to the series like I was, jumping in at the fourth installment may seem like you’d have to spend an uncomfortable amount of time scouring the backstory on Wikipedia—until you find out that you can watch every cutscene from all three previous games right from the main menu. It’s like a video game Netflix, and you can count on being up to speed before you hit the start button. . VAT included in all prices where applicable. Japanese text is available and can be shown at the same time as English text. Or perhaps light-hearted and quick-witted Prompt is more your style? Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you It’s no coincidence that two of the three games on the list below are exclusively for the PlayStation 3. To be able to study (and memorize) Japanese grammar and words, you will have to know these alphabets. There aren’t any furigana for the Japanese subtitles, and this can be a complex story to grasp the first time around. Be warned, this game is violent and earns its Mature rating. But during any of the transportation methods and throughout any of your activities, your team of four bros will entertain you with situationally-appropriate banter and consistently sharp humor. You can switch between English and Japanese text on the fly using Settings. How’s that for positive reading reinforcement? Click here to get a copy. City 町 machi Simply tap “add” to send interesting vocabulary words to your personal vocab list for later review. Please choose what it says in your passport. Video games are one of the best ways to study Japanese. Noctis, Gladio, Ignis and Prompt (that ending “o” is stupid in English, so I’m changing it) each have distinct personalities evinced through their actions and language, making this the ideal opportunity for you to decipher their idiosyncrasies and infuse your Japanese with the one you like the best. Strength 力 chikara Nihon selected textbooks. I’m not here to start a console flame war. Study Japanese with Go! And hey, if you want to bend those rules by speaking like Gladio and looking like Iris, I’m completely on your side. Easy 簡単 kantan Oliver, the main character, speaks to many children throughout the course of this game, and many adults speak to Oliver, amounting to twice the opportunity to pick up on the subtleties of spoken language. The game also features a replay button for voice lines. It naturally and gradually eases you into learning Japanese language and culture. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Your language, your choice. In fact, it’s amazing. Thanks for subscribing! Just take a look at the wide variety of authentic video content available in the program. Fairy 妖精 yousei Words and expressions used in video games vary considerably, depending on the genre of the game itself. What is the highest level of education you have graduated from? Different immigration rules apply to different countries. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. Weapon 武器 buki Think of it as a bedtime story for your grownup self, where instead of sleeping you play video games all night and rightfully call it studying. You can do that by going to “Settings,” then “Language” and then choosing “日本語” from the list (more information on PS4 language settings can be found here). Dragon 龍 ryuu Now, the meat of this game is open-world, so you can drive, ride a chocobo, fly or even walk to wherever you so please. The big question is, really, PS3 or PS4? 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