Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town Review

Initial release date: October 23, 2024

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows

Developer: h.a.n.d.

Genres: Adventure game, Simulation video game, Casual game, Adventure

Publishers: Neos Corporation, Limited Run Games

Series: Neos’ Shin-chan

Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a delightfully charming and soothing game that flawlessly combines Shin chan’s attractiveness with an addictive yet laid-back gameplay loop. Some may find it slow, but if you need something to relax with, this is the game for you.

Crayon Shin chan is a great program to watch if you want some silly laughs with no effort. It makes sense to combine this franchise with the relaxing gameplay of Boku no Natsuyasumi, in which you spend your vacation catching bugs and fish and basically hanging around. After enthusiastically enjoyed the previous title, Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation, I was eager to review the new game, which is just as good as the first.

The majority of Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is separated among the main rural area and the titular Coal Town. While in the main area surrounding your house, you can produce vegetables, explore the mountains, catch fish, beetles, and crawfish, and fulfill missions for the eccentric residents. Time passes and days pass as you do this, but there are no strict time constraints or anything to stress you out, making it a very soothing experience.

Meanwhile, the primary plot takes place in Coal Town, which is under threat by the powerful leader of the Discardson family. As Shinnosuke, you spend a lot of time there working with a scientist to rebuild the town, gathering ingredients to help a struggling diner owner create new dishes, and competing in trolley races on the coal mine tracks. It feels like a completely different world than the rural area (as hinted in the game by how you get there and back home), making the transition between the two areas exciting and interesting.

There are several plants, bugs, fish, crabs, and crawfish to forage and discover, which will fill up a notebook and give a fun element of collecting to everything you do. You can befriend the local kids and do chores for them, such as catching specific fish or locating specific flora, which will reward you with gold, trinkets, and more.

Everything you do seems productive but not stressful because there is no need to complete tasks faster than the time allotted to each day. If you approach Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town with a goal-oriented perspective, you may find it slow, but if you simply sit back and enjoy the pace, you will have a great time.

Of course, I couldn’t write about how entertaining Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is without mentioning the Shin chan component. As someone who considers the program to be really lovely and enjoyable to watch, it’s fantastic to see the characters translated so effectively. Shinnosuke is entertaining and continuously making foolish remarks, while the other characters, such as his parents and the townspeople, respond to him in a variety of ways, resulting in some fantastic comic situations. Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town demonstrates how well the series fits this type of game.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 85%

Controls: 88%

Aesthetics: 92%

Content: 82%

Accessibility: 86%

Value: 84%

Overall: 87%

GREAT!

Summary:

“Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town” is a pleasant voyage into the whimsical world of Shin-chan, providing a soothing and charming adventure that embodies the essence of the popular anime series. The game’s colorful visuals and accessible gameplay make it ideal for both fans of the show and casual players. While it lacks sophisticated physics and a long playtime, it compensates with lighthearted humor and unique mini-games. For those looking for a pleasant, low-pressure experience, this is an excellent way to spend a few hours immersed in a whimsical universe.