Expertly Crafted – Mandarin Journey Review

This app is perfect for Mandarin students of all levels who are looking for an entertaining way to supplement their learning. Although only the first chapter is currently available, the story of this graphic novel/game is well-written, the artwork is gorgeous, and the music (original, I believe) sets the tone nicely. Beginners will enjoy stumbling through Chinese conversations alongside Ken, while more advanced Mandarin speakers will appreciate the authentic dialog. (In one of my favorite scenes, Ken wakes up a sleeping taxi driver, who dazedly responds, "怎么了?") Having been to China, I appreciate the phenomenal attention to artistic detail, which makes settings like an antique shop and the Pearl Tower in Shanghai feel alive and real. There are also several small Easter eggs for players to discover, like the shadowy trench-coat man who appears in the background of several scenes (I'm guessing he's one of the mysterious "bad guys" hinted at in the story). In an App Store full of clunky Chinese flash card apps and Mandarin-learning games directed at young children, Mandarin Journey stands apart as a nuanced, engaging adventure. While it is not a replacement for more rigorous language study, MJ has enormous potential as an educational introduction to Chinese language and culture. I can't wait until the developers release the next chapter!
Review by gabethegrand on Mandarin Journey.