Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town

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.

86%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

94% User Score Based on 83 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 18 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $29.99

Buy NowGet on Steam$29.99

About

In "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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town screenshot

+17

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 103 reviews

story14 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

The game offers a cozy and relaxing experience, perfect for players looking to unwind and enjoy a simple, charming adventure.
Visually stunning with vibrant graphics and a wholesome storyline, it captures the essence of childhood nostalgia and the playful spirit of Shin-chan.
Gameplay is casual and engaging, allowing players to explore, collect items, and complete quests without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Some gameplay mechanics, like the trolley racing minigame, can be frustratingly difficult, hindering story progression.
The game lacks depth in its main missions, which can lead to a feeling of repetitiveness and simplicity over time.
There are complaints about the absence of an English dub and some technical issues, such as being locked at 30fps, which may detract from the overall experience.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The story of "Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town" is praised for its vibrant and wholesome narrative, featuring a mix of main and side quests that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the engaging and nostalgic elements that evoke memories of the original series, although some note that certain missions can lack clear direction and may be hindered by challenging minigames. Overall, the game offers a charming adventure filled with humor and unique design, making it enjoyable for both longtime fans and newcomers.
- “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.”
- “I honestly think Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town greatly benefits from its new location, adding a unique charm that sets it apart from its predecessors with a charming story that’s personal and melancholic.”
- “Main missions lack clear direction, with some story quests providing insufficient instructions, leaving players to figure things out on their own.”
- “Story progress at certain points can be halted due to difficult minigames to complete.”
- “When your missions require you to collect a large quantity of specific items, it becomes laborious.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
50%
12%
The gameplay is generally well-received, characterized by its charming, non-repetitive mechanics and engaging story that evokes nostalgia for fans of the Shin-chan series. While some players note issues with certain mechanics like trolley racing and elevator controls, the overall experience is described as delightful and immersive, making it accessible for both kids and adults. However, some critiques mention that the gameplay can be overly simplistic at times, suggesting a need for more complexity to enhance engagement.
- “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.”
- “It successfully captures the playful spirit of the popular anime while offering a relaxing gameplay experience perfect for kids and adults alike.”
- “The elevator mechanics are frustrating.”
- “The trolley race mechanics are poorly designed.”
- “It still has its issues with overly simplistic gameplay, which could use an extra bit of spice to keep it from dragging.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and cute aesthetic, effectively enhancing the wholesome storyline and evoking nostalgia. While some players have noted a limitation of 30fps, the overall visual quality is considered excellent, with many reviewers rating it 10/10 for its charming and engaging character designs.
- “I have noticed a lot of complaints about it being locked at 30fps, but honestly the visuals are so nice that I don't think anyone but finicky players would notice.”
- “10/10 visuals, brings back childhood memories.”
- “The game excels in its vibrant visuals and engaging character designs, which bring the world of Coal Town to life.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its cozy atmosphere and humor, featuring cute visuals and funny dialogues that evoke nostalgia. Players appreciate the lighthearted, goofy humor and enjoyable gameplay, making it accessible and relaxing. Overall, the humor enhances the charming experience, contributing to its appeal as a cozy game.
- “Super cozy, pretty funny, and very cute game!”
- “It is cozy, funny, and brings me nostalgia!”
- “The cute, simple gameplay and funny exchanges make the game easy to pick up and enjoy without feeling rushed.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some appreciate the pacing and find it enjoyable without excessive grind, others criticize the resource farming and currency earning as overly grindy and frustrating, particularly due to limited farming options and reliance on RNG. This suggests that while the game may appeal to fans of the series, it may not satisfy those looking for a more relaxed farming experience.
- “Farming resources and earning in-game currency to upgrade trolley parts is excessively grindy and expensive.”
- “Completing logs or farming for specific resources can be frustrating due to RNG.”
- “For example, farming crops serves a specific purpose, but once that purpose is fully achieved, your crops become essentially useless.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has received high praise, with many users highlighting its captivating and immersive quality that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack beautifully complements the game's nostalgic themes and scenic settings, making it a standout feature that evokes strong emotional connections. Overall, the music is described as fantastic and integral to the game's charm.
- “The scenery, music, and quests are all extremely enjoyable.”
- “Everything about this game, from the soundtrack to the objectives, is fantastic.”
- “It was as if you were looking out a window into a summer in rural Japan; the sound was so beautiful and immersive.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its vibrant graphics and wholesome storyline, offering a heartfelt experience that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. It effectively captures the essence of joy and discovery, making it a heartwarming escape that resonates emotionally with players.
- “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.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in Coal Town is lively and dynamic, characterized by ongoing construction and a variety of amenities including restaurants, shops, a bathhouse, a children's park, residential apartments, and a trolley raceway, creating a bustling community environment.
- “Coal Town features a vibrant atmosphere with ongoing construction, restaurants, shops, a bathhouse, a kid’s park, residential apartments, and a trolley raceway.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game lacks replayability once players achieve 100% completion, as there are no additional incentives or content to encourage further play.
- “The game doesn’t offer any replayability after 100% completion.”
- “Once you finish the main story, there’s really no incentive to play again.”
- “The lack of different endings or choices makes replaying feel pointless.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features vibrant visuals and engaging character designs that effectively enhance the immersive experience of the coal town setting, contributing positively to character development.