Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town
- October 23, 2024
- h.a.n.d., Inc.
Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a stunningly beautiful game balanced by its fair share of weird humour. While not mechanically complex, it’s a charming slice-of-life game that will likely delight any fans of the Crayon Shin-Chan series.
Get on SteamIn "Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town," the Nohara family visits Akita Prefecture for Hiroshi's job assignment. They rent a farmhouse and enjoy country life, with Shinnosuke learning about bug-catching and fishing from his grandfather. However, when Shiro appears covered in soot, Shinnosuke follows him and discovers a mysterious phenomenon in a nearby abandoned coal town. The game offers a heartwarming family story while incorporating elements of mystery and adventure.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game is cozy, relaxing, and visually appealing, providing a delightful experience reminiscent of childhood.
- It offers a simple and enjoyable gameplay experience with no pressure or difficult puzzles, making it easy to hop in and out.
- Great for learning Japanese, with helpful furigana and a good balance of casual and formal conversation.
- Some players have reported issues with the game being locked at 30fps, which may affect performance for some.
- The trolley racing minigame is considered too difficult by some, causing frustration and hindering story progression.
- There is a desire for more language options in voice lines, as many players would prefer to experience the game in their native language.
- story13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story in "Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town" is praised for its vibrant and wholesome narrative, featuring a blend of main and side quests that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the overarching storyline that maintains engagement while allowing for exploration and collection, alongside a unique sense of humor and enjoyable characters. Overall, the game offers a satisfying and fun adventure that keeps players invested.
“I loved this game since minute 1, such a lovely, pretty and fun game where you can spend your time collecting all the stuff available in the game, doing principal missions without a time limit while preserving Shin Chan's essence.”
“There is an overarching story that guides you along the way to keep the flow moving forward.”
“It's a satisfying little adventure story with a ton of very odd humor and a really unique design.”
“Compared to summer vacation, this one isn't quite as linear but also has a numerous amount more side quests (substories).”
“[b]Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town[/b] is basically based on that concept, but with added some of their own, such as it has a proper story, main and side quests, etc.”
“Trolley racing minigame is too hard and I'm stuck on it and can't progress through the story.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for being enjoyable and visually stunning, with a unique artistic style that enhances the experience. Players find it engaging and fun without feeling repetitive or grindy, contributing to an overall positive impression.
“You may not recognize any of the characters or fully understand their peculiar personalities, but that doesn't in any way detract from the gameplay.”
“The story is pretty good (I'm not far into it yet but I'm enjoying it so far) and the gameplay is fun without being too repetitive.”
“Looks like a painting in every scene and as far as gameplay goes, it doesn't feel grinding at all.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their vibrant and charming aesthetic, contributing to a wholesome storyline. While some users note issues like being locked at 30fps, the overall visual quality is considered excellent, evoking nostalgia and enhancing the gaming experience.
“Cute graphics are nice and vibrant, contributing to a wholesome storyline.”
“While I think summer vacation is more charming, this one has multiple improvements, especially in graphics.”
“10/10 visuals, brings back childhood memories.”
“While I think summer vacation is more charming, this one has multiple improvements (graphics related, no more stamina!!).”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for being light-hearted and charming, contributing to its cozy atmosphere. Players appreciate the funny conversations and nostalgic elements, making it an enjoyable experience overall.
“Super cozy, pretty funny, and very cute game!”
“Cozy game with funny conversations!”
“It is cozy, funny, and brings me nostalgia!”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally appreciate the game's pacing, noting that it maintains a smooth flow without becoming overly grindy, even towards the end. The visuals enhance the experience, contributing to a gameplay feel that avoids the monotony often associated with grinding.
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with users rating it a perfect 10/10, highlighting its enjoyable integration with the scenery and quests, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“10/10 music”
“The scenery, music, and quests are all extremely enjoyable.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features cute and vibrant graphics that complement its wholesome storyline, creating an emotionally uplifting experience for players.
“The graphics are cute and vibrant, perfectly complementing the wholesome storyline.”
“This game made me feel a deep connection with the characters, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys.”
“The storyline is not just engaging; it evokes a range of emotions that linger long after playing.”
Critic Reviews
Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town
Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a love letter to the essence of rural life, blending whimsy, nostalgia, and the endearing chaos of Shin-chan’s world in a single, delightful package. With its clever mix of everyday tasks, memorable characters, and the quirky mysteries of Coal Town, this game provides a surprisingly deep and satisfying journey that bridges generations. It’s a beautiful nod to the Crayon Shin-chan legacy, with fresh layers of storytelling and heartfelt interactions that make it accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers. Whether you’re catching fish in the calm rivers of Akita, racing trolleys with newfound friends, or helping create culinary delights, every moment spent in Shin-chan’s world feels like a joyful celebration of imagination and community. This is a game that welcomes everyone to experience the simple joys of discovery and laughter, making it a must-play for anyone seeking a heartwarming, immersive escape into the world of Crayon Shin-chan.
85%Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Review
Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a stunningly beautiful game balanced by its fair share of weird humour. While not mechanically complex, it’s a charming slice-of-life game that will likely delight any fans of the Crayon Shin-Chan series.
80%Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Shares a Summer Fantasy
A game based on the popular manga and anime series Shin chan, where Shinnosuke travels between a village in Akita and a town in Coal Town. Explore, fish, catch bugs, grow vegetables, invent, race trollies and more in this adventure game. Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a slow life simulation game paired with an engaging adventure involving the mysterious Coal Town.
80%
