LangLandia: Language Game

I downloaded this as a way to stop doomscrolling / hopefully learn something while playing on my phone. I have other language learning apps I’m using to actually learn, but this is a fun way to keep my brain thinking in Spanish, and help memorize more vocab. Am I going to get fluent just from this app? No. But it’s great combined with my other apps or lessons! As far as the app itself, it’s super well made. Tons of different features and games. There’s PvP battles, stories, a town, a map to explore, and so much more I haven’t even unlocked yet. The different beasts you can unlock and level up make it fun to keep playing. The app loads quickly, and you can jump right into playing. Download this app, I wish I had found out about it sooner!

At first I absolutely love this game, but then I realize there was one critical issue. One of the daily quests requires that you explore a new area and in order to explore a new area you have to advance your vocabulary (add new words/challenges). This is perfectly fine if you’re someone who already knows Spanish or possibly someone who is trying to refresh their skills but if you’re someone like me that has no knowledge of the language then this gamification is going to either have you not making progress and therefore feeling like are failing your daily requirements or you are going to push yourself too far too quickly (like I did) and end up overwhelmed with a ton of vocabulary that you don’t know. I messaged support about this and suggested they remove that one daily requirement but it’s been months and it’s still there. Also, if you have something happen in life that takes you away from the game and you lose a bit of your skills/knowledge there’s no way to drop yourself down and work on previous lessons so once again you’re trying to learn a LOT of vocabulary at once. I was enjoying this game and was going to purchase the $60 annual membership but since they can’t fix this one major issue I can’t recommend this game, which is sad because this has a LOT of potential. Gamification is suppose to be motivational but instead it’s forcing you to progress at a pace that might not fit you.

Having tried several apps in my Spanish learning adventure, I feel confident in saying this IS the best. It actually is a game. You get immersed in strengthening your beasts, building your bestiary, winning battles, clan wars, beating other players, teachers and the instruction, collecting and mindfully spending coins, potions and treasure chests. In order to strengthen your character and beasts, you answer Spanish questions. The goal becomes the prize, and you forget you are being exposed over and over to the repetition of Spanish necessary in learning a language. Good mix of words, phrases, numbers, sentences and idioms. Reading, speaking, multiple choice allow you to hit all the different components of language learning. No, you do not have to start at “Hola” if you have some Spanish under your belt: you test to see where you can be placed to be challenged but enough review to get in to the game. Actually, give it 30 minutes and you will be into it. HINT: Choose a good, strong, clever and fun name for yourself before you start!