GAME REVIEW | "Coal Town" Brings Humor & Mystery to Shin-chan
Since 1992, Crayon Shin-chan has been a staple on Japanese televisions, movie screens, and even video game consoles. Although an attempt has been made numerous times to popularize Shin and his family in the West, nothing yet has been successful. (Funimation’s dub, a staple of [adult swim]’s early years, is still considered one of the best and funniest attempts.) But you know, that boy who likes to bare his behind and act dumb has got some gumption, as his latest video game Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town has made its way across the Pacific. And even if you’ve never seen an episode of the anime or read the original manga, it’s absolutely worth experiencing!
The story takes place in the countryside of Akita, where Shin and his family are on a work vacation. Things are pretty normal and peaceful at first, with Shin catching bugs, chatting with local kids, and even growing vegetables. But one day, his dog Shiro brings him to a mysterious train, transporting him to a town on the brink of collapse. With the aid of the locals, a cute inventor, and his trusted pup, Shin-chan will do what he can to save Coal Town, even if it means missing his precious cartoons.
Developed by Neos Corporation, the game looks and feels like the classic Crayon Shin-chan anime, down to even the wackiest of facial expressions. Akita looks absolutely tranquil, with the colorful sunny days bringing forth beautiful flowers, puffy clouds, and delicious foods. At night, the sky is dark and gorgeous, with the occasional firefly buzzing about to add an extra dose of wonder. Although Coal Town has a slightly darker tone compared to Akita, it’s still got a warmth that only a relic of a lost era could deliver.
There’s a real slice-of-life vibe to Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town. Before Coal Town even comes into the picture, you will task Shin-chan with planting crops, fishing, and assisting the local town geek with finding every bug and mineral this area can deliver. Talking with the local kids will have you doing fetch quests, with each one bringing you closer to unlocking every aspect of Akita. You take your time, explore, and discover the wonders that Akita has to offer.
Once Coal Town comes into the picture, you’ll be tasked to do more to help the people. Creating recipes, fixing the local bathhouse, and — most importantly — crafting new inventions will aid in moving the story forward. The more Shin-chan learns, the more open Coal Town will become. (Although he can be a rascal on TV, Shin-chan can be quite the do-gooder when he puts his best effort in.)
As some quests will require you to get X number of items, you may find yourself having to grind through some areas. It can be a minor pain having to go through 3-4 game days without progress, as collecting the right items takes a lot of time. However, thanks to its comfy essence, Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town will find ways to still entertain you during those grinds. From catching bugs and talking to the locals to taking a dip in a bath, each activity in the game has a warm spirit running through its core.
Every quest both main and side is chock filled with the humor that fans of Crayon Shin-chan will be familiar with. Even when you run, Shin-chan will delight you with the sight of his butt zooming from Point A to Point B. However, as Crayon Shin-chan is geared towards kids, you can’t expect the R-rated humor that the English dub brought nearly two decades ago. With that being said, there are enough fart jokes and goofy one-liners that’ll make even the most serious adult chuckle.
Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town will take you roughly 11-12 hours to beat the main story. However, if you take on all the side quests and aim to complete the town glossary, you’ll more than likely add an addition 6 hours of game time. These side quests are certainly worth experiencing, as they offer more of the trademark Crayon Shin-chan comedy that’s made it an iconic part of Japanese culture.
PROS:
- Lots of quests and side quests
- Very funny dialogue
- Looks and feels like the anime
CONS:
- Some grinding can cause progression slowdown
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The boy from Kasukabe delivers a delightful and enjoyable adventure for all ages to enjoy. Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is fun, funny, and endearing in many ways. Even if you have never experienced Crayon Shin-chan, you’ll find yourself in wonder by the charm (and sometimes lack of charm) of Japan’s most famous five-year old.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by JF Games Agency. Reviewed on the PC via Steam.
