Cult Japanese director who practically invented the 'cozy' genre 20 years ago with Boku no Natsuyasymi is back with an open-world game coming worldwide this year

GamesOpen WorldCult Japanese director who practically invented the ‘cozy’ genre 20 years ago with Boku no Natsuyasymi is back with an open-world game coming worldwide this yearWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesOpen WorldCult Japanese director who practically invented the ‘cozy’ genre 20 years ago with Boku no Natsuyasymi is back with an open-world game coming worldwide this yearWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Spike Chunsoft) Over 20 years ago, director Kaz Ayabe and his game development studio Millennium Kitchen debuted the Boko no Natsuyasumi (translates to My Summer Vacation) series about nostalgic, day-in-the-life romps through rural Japan. Alongside Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, the series practically kickstarted the ‘cozy’ boom we see today, and while the series never saw official global localizations, the team’s next game is getting a proper release abroad. Publisher Spike Chunsoft and developer Millennium Kitchen just yesterday announced that Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid, which came out last year in Japanese, is getting an English translation on August 9, coming to both the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. A free Nintendo Switch demo is also incoming on July 30, otherwise you can check out theJapanese PC releasenow. Should you already own the game’s Japanese release on Steam, then a free update will simply patch in an English option come August 9. Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid might not be properly a part of the My Summer Vacation series that everyone’s been begging to see ported over, but it still carries much of the same DNA and is basically a My Summer Vacation game in all but its name. The upcoming game is still filled with chirping cicadas, open-ended exploration, fishing and bug-catching mini-games, and a sunny town that serves as both a nostalgic escape and a reminder of lost childhood. Plus, Kaz Ayabe is still in the director’s chair. Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Announcement Trailer | Nintendo Switch & Steam - YouTubeWatch On Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Announcement Trailer | Nintendo Switch & Steam - YouTube Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Announcement Trailer | Nintendo Switch & Steam - YouTube While none of the Boko no Natsuyasumi games ever saw an official English release, you might have played the team’s somewhat similar follow-ups with the 3DS' incredible Attack of the Friday Monsters and the Switch’s Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation. For more, check outthe Steam Next Fest ‘cozy’ darling about doodling castles which amassed over 1 million wishlists. 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has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a 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Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”