Natsu-mon: 20th Century Summer Kid

Developer: Millennium Kitchen
Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
Platforms: Switch, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $39.99 – Available Here

Overview

Sometimes, a beloved developer will sneak up a release on ya, and for the better in this case. Years ago, I got to give Attack of the Friday Monsters a spin, which was lovely and full of imagination and warmth. Today, Millennium Kitchen is back with another slice-of-life adventure in Natsu-mon:20th Century Summer Kid on the Nintendo Switch. Can this one hit those same vibes as the first, or is this a vacation worth passing on? Let’s find out.

Story

Even though there is plenty to do, the narrative here is where the heart of the game lies mostly. Players take the role of a young lad named Satoru, who lives with his parents in a travelling circus. Due to a stop in Yomogi Town, he gets to stretch his legs a little bit and stay for a month with other kids in an ideal environment to make an unforgettable summer. Every day has different, simplistic adventures to get into, which is what this gem is all about. There is something special about adolescence, it’s the same reason we value our nostalgia for that period until our last days, and Natsu-mon is about making those very memories in the best way possible. Sure, you won’t see a ton of action, but the heart is here and present throughout this little gentle adventure.

Gameplay

I should start here by stating Natsu-mon:20th Century Summer Kid is absolutely built like an open-world game, as you get to fully explore the town at your will. In some ways, it borrows a lot of gameplay trinkets from some of the Switch Zelda titles, like a cape to hover over gaps, a stamina system, and so on, yet still manages to feel like its own experience as you explore and interact with townspeople. The stamina system here has no health deductions, but instead puts a timer on Satoru’s energy, meaning the more you do, the quicker the day will get away from you. It’s a bit interesting, but can make it hard to explore as you always focus on the day’s ending. Sure, I would love to see the sights, but time always seems to be ticking and energy puts a bit more urgency to get as much done as possible.

The activities themselves are a lot of fun but don’t always feel as engaging. Players can fish, collect stickers, catch bugs, and so on, which kind of has some air of a lovely “cozy” adventure. There is also a bit of a story to latch onto, with characters holding events that you can participate in, so the freedom here is to utilize your time however you see fit, but to soak in this summer as much as you can. There is certainly a lot to do at any given moment, but I don’t know how engaging or important some of these tasks compare to each other in terms of entertainment. 

That said, there is something nice about a game that has this type of focus. If you want a collect-a-thon, there is plenty here to scratch that itch. You want to feel like you’re part of this town and fall in love with some jovial souls? That’s here too. It may not seem like a lot in retrospect, but Satoru’s journey here is all about escapism, and the player simply gets to experience it through his eyes. Those wanting more action may not be too impressed, but I found my days here filled with wonder and some charming interactions.

Audio

This may be Natsu-mon‘s strongest element. From the soundtrack that holds some stunning tunes to some of the most atmospheric effects I have heard in an adventure, the audio is wonderful here. There is something special about the way the cicadas chirp or the breeze hits the trees here that makes it hard not to take it all in. There is a lot of spirit brought by the sound team to the adventure, and most beats are hard not to appreciate as you trek along for the summer.

Visuals

I like the art style here mostly. The environments are lovely and everything animates well enough, but I did notice a couple of issues from time to time. When the world gets busy, the game has some moments of stutter. Nothing crippling or game-breaking, just kind of noticeable, in the same way Princess Peach: Showtime had a while back when it was released. The colors however are very pleasing, and the child-like drawings found in the menus really do connect the summertime experience very well to the narrative at hand.

Overall

We all need a summer getaway sometimes. Natsu-mon:20th Century Summer Kid is just that but through the eyes of our past. It’s about reliving those minor memories that felt special before anxiety, doubt, and adulthood kicked in. While it may kind of cap itself into a very kid-friendly adventure, it never falls short of heart or charm. It’s great to see a little title find life late into the Switch lifespan, and those looking for their next great getaway are sure to find a very pleasing time with Sotoru here. 

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