So to Speak for Mac

So to Speak drops you into the middle of Japan’s cities and countryside as an adventurer, where signs and overheard phrases function as clues. You won’t be handed translations. Instead, you’ll be asked to observe, deduce, and match written and spoken Japanese to the environmental context. 

Solve language puzzles in So to Speak by dragging words onto objects or translations. With over 650 words and phrases embedded in natural settings, this game lets you determine meaning through subtle, context-driven ways. No prior Japanese knowledge is required; you’re expected to learn by noticing, linking, and testing your understanding in everyday scenes.

Drag, match, learn Japanese

So to Speak features a gameplay mechanic where you match words to their meanings by dragging Japanese characters onto corresponding visuals or English phrases within the game environment, rather than memorizing flashcards or filling out quizzes. It's repeated throughout the game, presenting each vocabulary item as a puzzle. Words become accessible only after you demonstrate understanding through context. This format maintains a focus on language interpretation without incorporating mini-game elements. 

Each area presents a text-rich scene, though no pronunciation or grammar teaching is included. You explore convenience stores, rural streets, temples, and gardens where clues are present in signs and spoken dialogue. The connections between language and meaning can be visual, auditory, or linked to previous information. The game progresses through a series of micro-environments with themes based on real-world situations like transportation, family, or directions.

The game does not include a score, combat, crafting system, or performance tracker. You are given language and context and must build connections without timers or rewards. This design prioritizes language learning without these elements. The game’s settings unfold in a fixed order, but you can backtrack and revisit puzzles at any time. Each word is presented as an individual task, and vocabulary is not repeated or reworded for reinforcement.

No tests, just context

So to Speak utilizes a structure similar to a walking simulator, focusing solely on Japanese language recognition. The game provides no explicit feedback on progress, requiring you to make connections based on visual and auditory information. Formal language tests are absent, and the learning process relies entirely on contextual understanding. The game focuses on context-only puzzle-solving through natural language exposure in static, fixed environments, without instruction in pronunciation or grammar.

• Fixed a potential crash on Level 3-7
• Made the books a little more obvious in Level 12-2
• Fixed a translation error with curry rice in Level 13-13