Customer Reviews (100)

Zachary Kirchhoffer • 2025-03-23T18:36:49.250Z

Best Mahjong Client thus far. I've been trying out a few, and the two main ones are... okay? If you just want mahjong, any one will do, but if you want to play mahjong in public, you might want the one without risque anime waifus. By which I mean this one. This one does not have the aforementioned anime waifus.

Montana Zent • 2025-01-26T06:35:18.318Z

This game is how I learned mahjong and I love it. Very well done and the developer is a great guy. My only issue with it EVER was an issue causing it to black screen on my specific phone. The issue is gone now and I'm glad to have this back on my phone.

Jacob French • 2024-12-27T04:54:01.691Z

I love the design and the tutor, though the game constantly crashes on my device and is unplayable

Summary of Key Insights

  • Kemono Mahjong is generally well-received, particularly as a learning tool for Riichi Mahjong and for its offline playability. The absence of ads is also a significant positive.
  • The app's strengths lie in its helpful tutorials, user-friendly interface, varied AI opponents, and the fact that it offers a full implementation of Japanese Mahjong, unlike many tile-matching solitaire games.
  • The major weaknesses are consistent crashing issues, especially on newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro, battery drain, and some concerns about the AI being too difficult or seemingly "cheating." Some users also find the art style unappealing.
  • Overall sentiment is positive, reflected in the high percentage of 5-star reviews (67%). However, the crashing issues are a significant concern that needs to be addressed.
  • Score Distribution: 1-star: 4%, 2-star: 5%, 3-star: 7%, 4-star: 17%, 5-star: 67%.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the review dates, the reviews span at least a couple of years.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral comments), keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned issues and features), and thematic analysis (grouping similar comments together).

Key User Pain Points

  • Crashing Issues: This is the most significant issue, particularly on newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro. Several users report the game being unplayable due to constant crashes and freezes. This severely impacts the user experience.
  • Battery Drain: Multiple users mention the app draining the battery quickly, making it unsuitable for extended play sessions.
  • AI Difficulty/Behavior: Some users find the AI too difficult, especially for new players. Others suspect the AI of "cheating" or knowing what's in the player's hand, leading to frustration.
  • Lack of Landscape Mode: A few users specifically requested a landscape mode for better readability and gameplay.
  • Samsung Phone Issues: Some reviewers mention the game no longer working on Samsung phones, even though it is listed as supported.
  • Sound Options: The inability to mute only the BGM while keeping SFX is a pain point for some.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Landscape Mode: Several users requested a landscape mode for improved usability.
  • Learner Difficulty: A difficulty level geared towards beginners was suggested.
  • More Detailed Explanations/Tips: Some users, particularly beginners, would like more in-game explanations, especially regarding furiten.
  • Customizable Tile Back Colors: Some users would like more customization options.
  • Undo Button: A user suggested an undo button.
  • Show Tile Waitings: Some users want the app to show them what tiles they need to win when they are in tenpai.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Excellent Learning Tool: Many users praise the app as a great way to learn Riichi Mahjong, especially due to the helpful tutorials and yaku cheat sheet.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The UI is generally considered simple, clean, and easy to use, especially on mobile devices.
  • Offline Playability: The ability to play offline against AI opponents is a major advantage.
  • No Ads: The absence of ads is highly appreciated.
  • Varied AI Opponents: Users appreciate the different AI personalities and strategies.
  • Good Implementation of Riichi Mahjong: The app provides a full implementation of Japanese Mahjong, unlike many other "mahjong" games that are actually tile-matching solitaire.
  • Helpful Tutorials and In-Game Help: The tutorials and in-game help are considered ideal for new players.
  • Character Designs: Some users enjoy the character designs.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Crashing Issues: This is the most critical issue. Investigate and resolve the crashing problems, especially on newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro. Address compatibility issues with Samsung devices.
  • Optimize Battery Usage: Reduce battery drain to allow for longer play sessions. Profile the application to find the sources of excessive power consumption.

Medium Priority:

  • AI Balancing: Review and adjust the AI difficulty to be more balanced and less frustrating, especially for beginners. Ensure the AI doesn't appear to "cheat."
  • Implement Landscape Mode: Add a landscape mode to improve usability on mobile devices.
  • Improve Sound Options: Allow users to mute the BGM separately from the SFX.

Low Priority:

  • Add Learner Difficulty: Create a separate difficulty level for beginners with more guidance and assistance.
  • Customizable Tile Back Colors: Allow users to customize the colors of the backs of the tiles.
  • Add Undo Button: Consider adding an undo button.
  • More Detailed Explanations/Tips: Provide additional in-game explanations, especially for complex rules like furiten.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Mahjong Tutorial/Learning Platform: Expand on the existing tutorial features to create a comprehensive platform for learning Riichi Mahjong, potentially with interactive lessons, quizzes, and progress tracking.
  • AI Opponent Customization: Allow players to customize the AI opponents' play styles and difficulty levels, creating a more personalized and engaging experience.
  • Cross-Platform Mahjong Community: Develop a platform that connects players across different devices (mobile, PC, etc.) for online play, fostering a community around Riichi Mahjong.

Trends and Observations

  • Device-Specific Issues: Crashing issues are disproportionately reported on newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro, suggesting a potential compatibility problem.
  • Positive Sentiment Despite Issues: Despite the significant crashing problems, many users still rate the app highly, indicating its strong core appeal.
  • Beginner Focus: A significant portion of the positive reviews emphasize the app's suitability for beginners, highlighting its strength as a learning tool.

Conclusion

Kemono Mahjong is a well-regarded app with a strong foundation, particularly for learning and playing Riichi Mahjong offline. However, the persistent crashing issues are a major impediment to its success and must be addressed immediately. By resolving these technical issues and incorporating user-requested features, the app can solidify its position as the best Riichi Mahjong app on the market. The app should prioritize fixing the crashing issues and optimizing battery usage. Addressing these issues will significantly improve the user experience and further enhance the app's positive reputation.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kemonomahjong.app