Sakura Day Mahjong is a mahjong game that uses a Japanese theme as its main selling point. Although this game is available on steam and other gaming websites. This game is actually a port of a ‘free to play’ ipad game. However some versions do have extras with them in particular the steam version. Which is also the version I am basing my review upon. The removal of micro transactions is the only distinction among the two versions. However from what I have gathered it is the same game other than the aforementioned change.
I also think that it is a lazy port. I found this noticeable as the game features in game achievements. But the game doesn’t have any steam achievements. Sadly this game not having the in game achievements is a lazy. Furthermore it would have helped the game look less of a copy/paste port.
The game itself is simple and very easy to get into playing. Especially if you know what you are doing as it essentially matching 2 of the same picture style. However, the game is done in a mahjong format. The tutorial, in my opinion, may be viewed as overly guiding the gamer. As anyone who has played a mahjong game or other likeminded games will find it irritating. Since the tutorial will let you do only what the game tells you to do. You have to make the same moves as the tutorial. Thankfully this game will let you skip it. I like this as I can get straight into the gameplay.
But as simple as it is get into the game itself. This game isn’t as straight forward as the concept on paper seems. To many people they would think that the objective of this game is to clear the board. But instead your objective is to match all of the golden tiles on the board in as little moves possible. This game does increase its difficulty the further you go in the game. Particularly on the multilayered levels as it is possible to get the pieces you don’t need.
To add to this the game expects you to earn 3 stars in each level. Stars are earned by meeting quotas on each level. You earn one star meeting each quota in 3 different fields. These being making a limited number of moves, obtaining all of the golden tiles and by earning enough gold coins in each level. Each level has a different requirement.
But this game is a luck based game in a sense. This is because you are dependent on the game providing you with suitable tiles so you can make moves. If you have a set that provides you with no moves you must use the reshuffle button. I found saving this ability for the said instance as it particularly useful in getting you out of the scenario of having unsuitable tiles. This is frustrating as the game makes you use it so much in order to achieve level requirements. On some levels it may possibly take multiple attempts to complete. This is because of the randomised tiles and if it is in your favour or not. I also think that it makes the idea of trying achieving 3 stars on every level become particularly challenging.
The game itself I think is ok for the content provided. On a technical level the game works well (shoving the randomised tile issues) as well as visual/audio content of the game. But I did notice that on some occasions the level previews that display what the level looks like are wrong. On one level it was the same preview as an earlier level. However the level itself was set out like a boat rather than as suggested. I particularly like the traditional art style. Since it fits the game well and is drawn to a good standard.
One thing I dislike about the game is the repetition of the music in game. Even though the tracks provided in the game are calm and relaxing to listen to. I feel that because there are only 2 music tracks and sound effects in the game. Eventually it does get annoying after so long and then you end up turning off the sound.
Overall though I will admit that it is an ok game to play on. However I don’t recommend paying any amount of money for this game. Primarily because paying any amount of cash is too much. As this game is a direct port of a free to play ipad game. This game lacks content that should be on the steam version of the game, namely steam achievements/trading cards.
