Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Be the first to review!

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: A circus troupe comes to the the countryside. The protagonist is the ringmaster's only son. Enjoy a special summer vacation filled with nostalgic spectacles like thunderous clouds, evening sunsets, and the sounds of cicadas. After eating breakfast with everyone, do radio calisthenics inA circus troupe comes to the the countryside. The protagonist is the ringmaster's only son. Enjoy a special summer vacation filled with nostalgic spectacles like thunderous clouds, evening sunsets, and the sounds of cicadas. After eating breakfast with everyone, do radio calisthenics in front of the shrine. Then, go fish in the ocean or river, catch rare insects in the hills and fields, and record everything in your picture diary.

    During your vacation, you can help out the circus, or enjoy the summer festival to your heart's content. Enjoy fireworks and Bon Festival dances at night, or take the train over to the next town over. As you experience various things, the more you will be able to do.
    Whether you climb to the top of the mountain, swim in the ocean, or stroll around downtown, you will be able to make plenty of summer memories.
    Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Sep 10, 2024
    90
    Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid offers distilled Summer Break happiness in video game form, with its vast open world, boundless activities, and magnetic rural charm. I’ve played a lot of video games in my life, but I don’t know that I’ve ever quite played one like this. I can say one thing for sure, though—I’m already looking forward to my next summer adventure.
  2. 90
    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.
  3. Aug 14, 2024
    90
    Those who are looking for a ton of gameplay hours for their buck might find Natsu-Mon a little lighter than they’re after. It’s really the only caution I have to offer here. Otherwise, this is an excellent example of the kind of game it’s trying to be. If you want to transport back to a childhood you never had, there’s no better way to do it this summer. It really grabs on to you and carries you along at its pace, despite the whole game being structured around you doing things at your own speed. I really love this game, and I hope we keep seeing more of these in the future.
  4. Aug 5, 2024
    80
    Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid launched at a time when I really needed it, and that made me appreciate this cozy life sim even more. The older we get, the rarer it is to enjoy weeks of freedom, discovery, and joy. I get so caught up in work, especially around summer events when there are events back-to-back. Millennium Kitchen and Toybox really captured the magic of a peaceful summer where you can live at your own pace. Everything is new and an adventure. It’s refreshing and rejuvenating.
  5. 80
    I truly recommend this game for fans of explorative adventures like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing, or those just looking to reminisce on the good old days, both real and imagined.
  6. Aug 8, 2024
    80
    Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid makes most commercial games feel like thankless labor. Set against backdrops of azure skies and verdant hillsides, the game lets you loose in a rural town. You can tackle kid-size goals if you’d like, or just spend your days capriciously, chasing butterflies and seeing where footpaths lead. This is the kind of open-world experience we need more of.
  7. Aug 7, 2024
    70
    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.

See all 15 Critic Reviews