The Japanese Calligraphy Steam Charts & Stats

[h1]A Beautiful Attempt That Falls Short of Its Potential[/h1] [b]TL;DR[/b] [b]While the game’s respect for Japanese calligraphy is admirable, its tedious mechanics, lack of features, and absence of audio ambiance make it frustrating rather than meditative. It’s an affordable, passion-driven effort but feels unfinished and unenjoyable. Traditional tools or more polished alternatives would likely offer a better experience.[/b] [hr] [H2]Introduction: A Flawed Tribute to Art[/H2] The idea of translating the mindful, meditative process of Japanese calligraphy into a game is fascinating. The developers clearly respect the craft, and their effort to make it accessible is commendable. Unfortunately, the execution falls flat, leaving a game that is more frustrating than calming and more tedious than inspiring. [hr] [H2]Main Hiragana/Katakana Mode: A Tedious Grind[/H2] In the main mode, you’re presented with a massive table of characters to practice. While this setup is ambitious, it’s hindered by poorly thought-out design choices: - [b]Awkward Camera Controls:[/b] Constantly adjusting sliders to pan and zoom around the table interrupts the flow of practice. - [b]Cumbersome Brush Mechanics:[/b] You need to manually recoat brushes with ink frequently, which, while realistic, feels unnecessary and tedious. - [b]Slow Erasing Process:[/b] The eraser is fixed to one size, making corrections slow and meticulous. This can be particularly frustrating when trying to fix small mistakes on a crowded table of characters. The combination of these factors makes what should be a meditative activity feel like an exhausting chore. [hr] [H2]Single-Character Modes: Stress Over Serenity[/H2] The single-character practice modes offer a simpler layout with one sheet of paper per character. However, this mode has its own problems: - [b]Punishing Errors:[/b] If you make a mistake, you have to scrap the entire sheet and wait for a new one. This is time-consuming and discouraging, especially for beginners. - [b]No Forgiveness:[/b] A simple undo function or a more forgiving system for small errors would alleviate much of the frustration. Instead of encouraging practice and improvement, this mode amplifies the stress of getting everything perfect on the first try. [hr] [H2]Audio: A Jarring Silence[/H2] One of the most glaring omissions in the game is the lack of music or soothing sounds to set the mood. Calligraphy is meant to be calming, and gentle background music or nature sounds could greatly enhance the atmosphere. Instead: - [b]Annoying Eraser Sound:[/b] The only sound is the abrasive, grating noise of the eraser, which quickly becomes jarring and unpleasant. - [b]A Missed Opportunity:[/b] The absence of relaxing audio makes the experience feel lifeless and stark, detracting from any sense of immersion. The game feels eerily quiet in a way that doesn’t evoke calm but rather highlights its unfinished state. [hr] [H2]What It Gets Right[/H2] Despite its flaws, the game has a few positive qualities: - [b]Affordable:[/b] Its low price makes it accessible to a wide audience. - [b]Respect for Calligraphy:[/b] The developers clearly have a passion for Japanese calligraphy, and their respect for the art form is evident. - [b]Unique Concept:[/b] Few games explore such a niche topic, which makes it stand out despite its shortcomings. [hr] [H2]What It Needs to Improve[/H2] For the game to live up to its potential, several changes are necessary: - [b]Better Camera Controls:[/b] Streamline navigation in the table mode to avoid constant interruptions. - [b]Flexible Erasing Options:[/b] Allow players to resize the eraser or undo small mistakes for faster corrections. - [b]Audio Enhancements:[/b] Add relaxing background music and sound effects to create a calming atmosphere. - [b]Undo Functionality:[/b] Introduce a simple undo feature to reduce the frustration of restarting. - [b]Customization and Accessibility:[/b] Include options for brush sensitivity, fullscreen mode, and other quality-of-life improvements. [hr] [H2]Pros and Cons[/H2] [b]Pros:[/b] - Very low price. - A unique and creative concept. - Passionate homage to the art of Japanese calligraphy. [b]Cons:[/b] - Cumbersome mechanics for navigation, brushwork, and erasing. - Overly punishing design, especially in single-character modes. - Lack of audio ambiance, with only an annoying eraser sound. - Missing essential features like undo, sensitivity settings, and accessibility options. [hr] [H2]Conclusion: Passion Isn’t Enough[/H2] This game is a heartfelt attempt to bring Japanese calligraphy into the digital realm, but its lack of polish, tedious mechanics, and jarring audio make it difficult to recommend. While I respect the developers’ vision and dedication, the game feels unfinished and more frustrating than relaxing. For those with boundless patience and a passion for calligraphy, there may be some value here. However, for most players, traditional tools or a more polished digital alternative will provide a far better experience. I’m glad this project exists, but it needs significant improvement to truly capture the beauty and mindfulness of Japanese calligraphy.

Very calming and therapeutic. Good feel with the ink. Absolute recommend! Would be nice with an option to have more detailed instructions for which order to draw and which direction.