Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid

“Natsu-Mon might not be the best game of the year, but it's destined to be one of the most memorable and affecting. Its emergent storytelling helps you feel like the author of your own adventure. Its seamless open world provides an exciting sense of discovery. And its many quests and quest-givers will keep you engaged for over two dozen hours.”

“Natsu-mon is a lovely summer getaway, with a ton of adventure packed that is sure to get you nostalgic as you catch bugs, fish, and take a break from your own reality.”

“Natsu-Mon! 20th Century Summer Kid is an open-world life simulator I had a lot of fun with. Live summer to the fullest as you explore Yomogi Town. Go climbing, fishing, bug catching, and even treasure hunting to collect everything. Talk to the town and make friends, even solve mysteries and play with spirits. A world of limitless possibilities await you in this nostalgic adventure.”

“Natsu-mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a heartwarming and magical ode to the long-lost summers of our childhood. It captures the essence of carefree exploration, the simple joys of rural life, and the power of making memories in a place that feels both timeless and alive. Whether you’re solving mysteries with friends, enjoying a quiet moment by the sea, or orchestrating a dazzling circus performance, Natsu-mon transports you to a world where the wonders of the Japanese countryside are yours to discover.”

“Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid provides a gaming adventure as cozy as its name. Its stakes may be low, but it packs in plenty to accomplish and will have players feeling nostalgic for a time they may have never even experienced.”

“Natsu-Mon! 20th Century Summer Kid transports players to a nostalgic summer vacation in Yomogi Town, where they join Satoru in his carefree adventures. From bug catching to heartfelt interactions with town residents, this cozy game offers a charming escape from reality.”

“Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid offers a nostalgic slice of rural Japanese life. The game creates a relaxing atmosphere for players to enjoy a carefree summer vacation. However, repetitive gameplay and technical issues, such as blurry visuals and performance drops on the Nintendo Switch, detract from the experience.”

“While light on visuals and variety, Natsu-Mon's comforting world makes it a delightful summer escape.”

“Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a quirky game where every second counts and doesn't at the same time. It's a game about the pure wonder of being a child and the conundrums you may find yourself in just exploring around and getting into stuff. Just like real summer, even though you are having fun, time is still going by so eventually you'll have to take up your responsibilities and tackle important duties. The game is an unwinding and gratifying experience filled with summertime jollification.”

“Even though I haven't experienced all that Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid has to offer, I've seen enough to know that it should well serve a niche looking for a laid-back, Animal Crossing-like experience. The game follows a one-month summer countdown, so it's unlikely that you'll see everything on offer during a single playthrough. Almost every single in-game day brings something new, though, and if you have patience enough to buy into the premise, you'll be rewarded with your own chill summer break. It has some rough edges, but it's hard not to jive with the small town vibes of Satoru’s summer home.”

“Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a cozy delight, a joyful reminiscence of childhood. It’s easy to pick up and can be played day by day. All this with little pressure and many easy-going hours of play.”

“It’s impossible to experience everything that Natsu-Mon has to offer in a single play-through – much like how it’s impossible to get everything done that you want to over a summer. They’re always over too quickly. But then the very best way to play is to put Natsu-Mon down for quite some time afterward and let that one run through the game be your memory of it. This is something to be experienced, not played, and as far as emergent narratives are concerned, this is the best example of that I’ve seen in many, many years.”

“We're delighted that this game has made it to the West. And although performance and graphics aren't up to scratch, and the translation is a bit wonky in places, Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid still is very much a playable and enjoyable experience. The game teaches some genuinely valuable lessons and makes you think about life and how we must live it to its fullest. It's a game that shouldn't be rushed through, and the 25-45 minutes it takes to get through each day lends itself perfectly to the Switch. This game isn't for everyone - it's slow in many places and may test your patience - but if what you're looking for is a relaxing experience with lots of freedom and activities at your disposal, then we're sure you'll have a great summer with this one.”

“Natsu-Mon is, without a doubt, a special game in Millennium Kitchen's catalog. The feeling of nostalgia, discovery and adventure that the studio has mastered so well is more refined than ever, maintaining its essence and without falling into a cycle of repetitive and recycled games. In this way, it can be said that Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a highly recommended game not only for fans of cozy games, but also for anyone who was once a child.”

“It’s the summer that never was in a town I’ve never been for a childhood that was never my own. Yet, in spite of all these nevers, it caught my attention and helped the old feel young again by capturing the beautiful notion of an exciting, unpredictable summer.”

“Natsu-mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a charming rural romp full of bug catching and recycling, perfect for a stress free evening.”

“Natsu-Mon! 20th Century Summer Kid is excellent despite its terrible frame rate. The West is very likely never going to get an official release of Boku’s games, but the truth is that Satoru has the better summer break.”

“Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a game that delivers what it promises, bringing an experience that seeks to transport the player, banking on nostalgia above all else. However, its tactics don't go down so well here in the West when compared to Japan, so unless you want to use this game as a method of learning the language and culture, it might not go down well with the general public. Personally, I loved its constant references to Japanese culture, but for me, they are both a blessing and a curse. Personally, I thought the game was pretty cool at times, but I confess that Natsu-Mon is one of those games that doesn't innovate much in its gameplay, especially when compared to other games in its category.”