MandarinMastermind

Playing a Game, Mastering a Language!

This is a voice-based puzzle adventure game where you play as an amnesiac girl trapped in the Ethereal World. By continuously learning Mandarin words, you will solve puzzles, activate magic, and defeat enemies. The Ethereal World is a multi-layered space constructed by consciousness. To recover lost memories, players must traverse various realms in search of a way back home. Can you overcome the challenges of using Mandarin?

Some say Mandarin is one of the most difficult languages to learn, but as a native speaker, I don’t feel that way at all. Learning English, on the other hand, gives me quite a headache. It makes me reflect on the challenges of learning a non-native language and what I went through when I was learning to speak.

Observing how my own child learned to speak, I noticed that before starting elementary school, children barely recognize any written characters, yet they can already communicate fluently with adults. They usually start by memorizing the most basic words, gradually learn to connect them, and eventually form complete sentences. This process typically takes several years, and when children express themselves correctly, they receive enough positive reinforcement to make the memories more lasting.

Perhaps I could make this language-learning process more engaging by turning it into an adventure. That’s how this game came to be.

In the game, you can practice listening and speaking, using the words you’ve learned to complete challenges.

• Progressive practice of core Mandarin vocabulary, from easy to difficult

• Exercises on combining and applying basic vocabulary

• Practicing common phrases through voice interactions with NPCs