While the Crayon Shin-chan manga and anime series rely on goofy, childish humor, Shin-Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation and the upcoming Shiro and the Coal Town games are quieter reflections on lazy summer days and everyday life as a child. After getting to spend a few in-game days with it, this sequel again feels like an opportunity to take your time and enjoy small-town life. However, at the same time, I can already see how it builds the sense of wonder a small child may experience.
As in Shin-Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation, Shiro and the Coal Town brings Shinnosuke and his family to a whole new area. This time, he and his family are in Akita. Since his dad is working and mother is preoccupied with caring for his sister Himawari, there’s the same degree of freedom given to him (and by extension us) to explore the countryside.
As a result, there’s this carefree element established. It’s summer. Time passes slowly as we wander, talk to people living in the area, and engage in activities. Unlike the other Crayon Shin-chan game, Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town sort of begins with us expecting to know what we’re getting up to. At the same time, it’s still gradually easing us into this new life. Since we’re in Akita, his grandparents Ginnosuke and Tsuru are around all the time as well, adding to the ambiance and experience.
This means that the first days don’t even feel like a tutorial. They’re more like spending time with family. Ginnosuke arrives first thing to take Shinnosuke out. On the first day, we head up to where a bus station is and past a train to learn to catch bugs with what was originally Shinnosuke’s father’s net. We discover a key mechanic of catching or finding flora and fauna and reporting it to a young woman putting together a book. We learn how catching specific bugs or fish, say a masu salmon, and bringing it to a certain character can mean rewards, friendship, and access to a new area.
It really feels like the first few days in Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town are about getting comfortable and settling in, which makes sense both for the story and the game in general. After all, this is a Boku no Natsuyasumi experience. The goal is to take life slowly and enjoy things as they happen. Appreciate the wider vistas and views. It’s definitely something that comes up here, even early on. Akita is a beautiful, small town and the first few areas we gain access to embrace the countryside appeal. At at time period, the world around Shinnosuke changes and possibilities do as well.
It once again feels like Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town could turn out to be one of those incredibly soothing games. The daily life approach is sound. It takes its time in a way that doesn’t feel tedious in its initial days. Plus, the extra incorporation of known Crayon Shin-chan characters and fast introduction and involvement of newcomers feels like it is setting up a sense of community.
Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town will come to the Nintendo Switch and PC on October 24, 2024.
Published: Oct 3, 2024 03:00 pm