Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid

About

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a single player simulation game with a kids theme. It was developed by TOYBOX Inc. and was released on June 26, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid" , experience a nostalgic, open-world summer in a rural Japanese town during the 1900s. Join a circus troupe, enjoy various activities, and explore the picturesque environment. As the protagonist, you have unique abilities, like surviving high falls and catching bugs with an Acorn Shooter, ensuring a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid screenshot

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 108 reviews

story5 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Natsu-Mon offers a beautifully crafted, nostalgic experience that captures the essence of childhood summers, allowing players to explore a vibrant world filled with charming characters and activities.
The game provides a stress-free, open-ended gameplay style where players can engage in various activities like bug catching, fishing, and interacting with townsfolk, creating a personalized adventure.
With its delightful art style, relaxing atmosphere, and engaging exploration mechanics reminiscent of games like Animal Crossing and Breath of the Wild, Natsu-Mon is a perfect escape for those seeking a cozy gaming experience.

Some players find the game can become repetitive, especially in the latter half, as the number of engaging activities and character interactions dwindles, leading to a sense of emptiness.
The time limit mechanic, while intended to enhance the experience, can create pressure for players who prefer a more leisurely pace, potentially detracting from the overall enjoyment.
Technical issues such as pop-in graphics and inconsistent character models can detract from the otherwise charming visual experience, leaving some players wanting more polish.

gameplay
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
82%
9%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of exploration and daily routines, reminiscent of titles like "Breath of the Wild" and "Animal Crossing," allowing players to engage in various activities such as climbing, fishing, and interacting with quirky characters. While the mechanics are generally well-received for their fluidity and charm, some players note a lack of complexity and a sense of emptiness in the latter stages of the game, which can detract from the overall experience. The game successfully modernizes its predecessors while maintaining a nostalgic feel, though it may not appeal to those seeking more action-oriented gameplay.
- “There's a good mix of scripted events and quests (and even new game mechanics) that open up over time.”
- “Gameplay-wise, there’s a real joy to the movement and the exploration.”
- “The game marries the gameplay mechanics of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with the gameplay loop of Animal Crossing, giving you a coastal valley within the Japanese countryside to explore while catching fish, bugs, and developing friendships with the locals as their lives unfold.”
- “Its slow pace, minimal traditional gameplay mechanics, and lack of overarching plot may not appeal to players looking for action, challenge, or progression.”
- “Despite having one of the best designed maps I've seen and a really affordable gameplay with room to be mastered, the whole experience is weighed down due to excessive length (yes, even at 'rapid' speed).”
- “While making a very strong initial impression and featuring solid gameplay mechanics to support exploration of Yomogi Town and the surrounding area, it also suffers from some rough presentation and lackluster content towards the latter half of the game.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
69%
12%
The game's story is characterized by a nostalgic and emotionally grounded experience, focusing on the coming-of-age journey of Satoru, a young boy spending his summer vacation in a vibrant port town. Players engage in a mix of scripted events and everyday encounters that build relationships, though some reviewers noted that the overall narrative and character development felt underwhelming and lacking in depth. While the game offers a charming exploration of summer adventures, its slow pacing and minimal overarching plot may not satisfy those seeking more traditional storytelling or action-driven gameplay.
- “I loved her storyline and learning more about her.”
- “The game explores a small coming-of-age story of Satoru, the son of a circus director, during his summer vacation.”
- “Whether you're looking for a relaxing escape filled with nostalgic vibes or a heartwarming story about cherishing the last days of summer, Natsu-mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a delightful experience you won't want to miss.”
- “A big issue with both characters and story events is mostly that there is too little of either of them.”
- “Overall, this makes the story a little disappointing, if still serviceable if players are fine with a greater focus on the adventure aspect of the game.”
- “Its slow pace, minimal traditional gameplay mechanics, and lack of overarching plot may not appeal to players looking for action, challenge, or progression.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
58%
13%
The game's graphics feature a charming, childlike crayon art style that is bright, colorful, and simple, effectively capturing a nostalgic atmosphere. While some adult character models may appear uncanny and the visuals lack the detailed backgrounds of previous titles, the overall aesthetic is endearing and complements the gameplay well, creating an immersive experience. The art direction, despite its inconsistencies, is praised for its vibrancy and ability to evoke a sense of summer, making it a visually appealing world to explore.
- “Graphically, the game leans into a painterly, hand-drawn style that suits its nostalgic tone perfectly.”
- “The game's beautiful crayon-like art style and vibrant colors create a visually stunning world that perfectly captures the essence of summer.”
- “The art style is excellent and perfectly melds with the writing and sound.”
- “Regrettably, the art style isn’t entirely consistent, and especially some adult character models can look downright uncanny.”
- “Yes, it doesn't have the painted picturesque backgrounds of the past, and the 3D graphics are on the simple side, but what you get in actual freedom of movement is so cool.”
- “The visuals are not as detailed as previous Natsuyasumi games, which had hand-drawn 2D backgrounds, but all the interactivity of the world and freedom of exploration easily makes up for it.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Natsu-mon: 20th Century Summer Kid" is characterized by its nostalgic and heartwarming storytelling, which evokes feelings of childhood innocence and joy. Players are drawn into a contemplative experience filled with gentle pacing, meaningful interactions, and a cozy atmosphere that celebrates the simplicity of summer days in a quaint Japanese town. The game effectively combines warmth, humor, and emotional resonance, making it a delightful escape for those seeking a wholesome and relaxing adventure.
- “Instead, it leans fully into a deeply nostalgic, emotionally grounded experience that draws you in through its gentle pacing, quiet storytelling, and an almost meditative open-world structure.”
- “The writing is understated but emotionally effective, with warmth and subtle humor.”
- “Natsu-mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a heartwarming slice-of-life gem that transports players back to a simpler time in the Japanese countryside.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is generally praised for its exceptional quality and engaging themes, particularly during key scenes, though some players noted issues with abrupt transitions and random fades in location-based tracks. The soundtrack evokes a nostalgic and casual atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience while allowing players to immerse themselves in the environment. Composed by Hideki Sakamoto and Ryo Shirasawa, the music complements the game's charming art style and engaging narrative, contributing to a delightful exploration experience.
- “Then there's the music which I absolutely loved, heavy summer vibes and songs I love to listen to in my spare time.”
- “I love how casual yet engaging this game is, especially how music only kicks in very occasionally while exploring, allowing you to fully absorb just the sounds of the environment; it really feels like you're just out playing without a care in the world.”
- “Real chill and fun music along with fitting tracks for certain scenes, the music also makes you enjoy the game more as well.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The optimization of "Boku natsu" is noted to be improved through more compressed maps, likely aimed at enhancing performance on the Nintendo Switch, which has been criticized for running poorly. However, players report a smooth experience with no significant performance issues during extended gameplay, indicating effective optimization overall.
- “Boku Natsu maps were more compressed and thus more optimized.”
- “Whether you’re catching bugs, fishing, helping townspeople with little favors, managing circus performances, or just wandering and discovering hidden spots, everything you do feels purposeful even when it's mundane.”
- “I'm assuming this was for Switch optimization purposes because the game runs pretty badly on the Switch.”
- “[h3]Technical issues and performance[/h3]”
- “Overall, I had no performance issues during my roughly twenty-hour playthrough.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive and charming qualities, with players appreciating the interconnectedness of the world and the engaging exploration mechanics reminiscent of "Breath of the Wild." The combination of endearing visuals and delightful writing creates a cozy and inviting environment, making it an enjoyable summer adventure experience.
- “For this recommendation, I’ve really focused on the atmosphere, aesthetics, and general vibes because that’s what hit for me the strongest.”
- “This is an amazing summer adventure game with a cozy atmosphere.”
- “You can walk, swim, climb, or even ride a train to distant corners of the map, and it all feels connected and real, not just in terms of space, but time and atmosphere as well.”
- “Between the charming writing and endearing visuals, the DNA of 'Boku no Natsuyatsumi' is undoubtedly here, and the decision to make the game a world with exploration mechanics akin to 'Breath of the Wild' brings the world and atmosphere into a place where most people can enjoy the gameplay alongside the aesthetics.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the vibrant and cartoony character designs, others feel that the overall character development is lacking and becomes unengaging as the game progresses. This has led to a sense of unpolished execution, particularly in the activities associated with the characters.
- “Awesome cartoony character designs, and a lush vibrant world that radiates warmth and love.”
- “Personally, I like the character designs.”
- “However, the game does ultimately feel a little unpolished by virtue of lackluster character development and undercooked activities that fizzle out alongside your ‘need’ to do them by the halfway point of the game.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its understated yet emotionally resonant writing, featuring warm and subtle comedic elements. Players appreciate the snappy interactions with quirky characters, which blend silliness with charm, avoiding any unsettling tones. Overall, the humor enhances the engaging storyline and exploration experience.
- “The writing is understated but emotionally effective, with warmth and subtle humor.”
- “It is everything I've wanted from a smaller exploration-based game with funny characters and an interesting storyline.”
- “The boy you play is a bit of a little brat, and all the villager interactions are following suit, very snappy, sometimes even funny (sometimes also just silly), but not in that slightly disturbing Shin-chan way.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly when trying to catch specific fish among large groups in limited areas, compounded by the lack of variety in lures and bait. While the game draws comparisons to titles like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, the repetitive nature of fishing can detract from the overall experience, making it feel more laborious than enjoyable.
- “With the exception of the rivers - where you'll only find very common fish - fish tend to congregate in huge numbers in a select few seaside areas, and there's only two types of lure and two types of bait. Some fish seem to go after anything, which makes trying to find one fish you don't have in an area with 20 fish potentially swimming around extremely tedious, even with a guide.”
- “Would make things a lot less tedious for 100% if it did.”
- “It's like Animal Crossing without the furniture and Harvest Moon without the farming, but in the best way possible.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players indicate that the game shows strong potential for replayability, even before completing their initial playthrough.
- “I haven't finished my first playthrough yet, but I can already tell it has great replayability.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes makes me want to dive back in for another run.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, with new experiences waiting to be discovered.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, running smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck without any reported bugs or glitches.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck as well.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”

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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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40h Median play time

40h Average play time

40-40h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a simulation game with kids theme.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 40 hours playing Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid was released on June 26, 2024.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid was developed by TOYBOX Inc..

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a single player game.

Similar games include A Short Hike, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, Toem, Lil Gator Game, Haven Park and others.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid

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