Only in Japan would a video game go viral for rewarding those who are more skilled at wielding the magic word than the magic sword. But that doesn’t explain why “Kūki Yomi” (a Japanese phrase that means “read the air” and is translated to “Consider It”* in English) is blowing up all over the world right now for Switch on Steam. Spoiler: It’s not because gamers are diligently brushing up on Miss Manners. In fact, just the opposite!
Kūki Yomi presents thirty situations in which the player has to choose how to react. Some situations are so universal it’s easy to maneuver your character into doing the obviously right thing before the next situation pops up
Screenshot from the YouTube video Consider It: The Co-op Mode
Some are obvious once you recognize what they represent, like people approaching the same subway ticket gate from opposite directions…
Some are utterly opaque unless you’re Japanese and have been stuck at the far end of the table while everyone else grabs the cold noodles you have to catch with your chopsticks as they float past
And some are hilariously hypothetical situations, like this “what could possibly go wrong?” scenario.
The way you win is to assess the situation…
and do the right thing
Once you’ve cleared the level, you’re scored on five essential abilities that predict your fitness for polite society…
If you think the game masters’ judgement was a bit harsh, you can click on a deeper dive to get dad-level detail on your improvement items
At this point, you’re somewhat irritated, totally disappointed and wondering why the internet agrees this is such a great game
Then you see that making it to the end unlocks all kinds of new goodies, including the best gameplay of all time…Inconsiderate Mode!
Because the real fun isn’t in getting it right,
it’s seeing just how wrong you can be!
The most fun mode is, of course, two-player, right down to the scathing score comments as you jointly offend your way through Japan.
Some rudeness consequences are gratifying and immediate, like if you try to bully your way onto the subway before other passengers get off and they just stampede over you…
or if you attempt to horn in on the maid of honor’s right to the bouquet, and get a short, sharp, shock for your trouble.
Some situations dole out particularily hilarious punishments, like when someone sitting near your strap on the crowded train gets up to offer an old lady their seat…
and your attempt to snag it yourself gets you a whack with the old lady’s cane
but raw ingenuity is rewarded if you fight back by doubling down and sitting on her lap
Inconsiderate Mode gives you big points for repeatedly blocking and kicking someone trying to squeeze past you in a narrow hall…
or agreeing to run a marathon with your out-of-shape bestie, then leaving her in the dust to dash triumphantly to the finish line
And big BIG points if you’re the boss and it’s Friday afternoon and for forty minutes you’ve been failing to GTFO.
Here’s a video so you can see what it’s like to play!
*The English title “Consider It” is of course a pun on “considerate” (because even Japanese developers enjoy a good dad joke)
•
Click here for more Why, Japan, Why? posts
•
Or get more amusing Japan stuff sent to your email every month when you subscribe!
•
•
Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Japanagram 