Danchi Days is a cozy slice-of-life game described as a “Summer Neighborvania Adventure”, in which you play as Hoshino, a 12-year-old girl who moves into a Japanese danchi (housing complex). Her goal is to revive its dormant summer festival by inviting 100 residents. Inspired by GBA-era games like Hamtaro and EarthBound, it combines pixel-art exploration, mini-games, and a Y2K-inspired internet system. Danchi Days delves into themes of community, nostalgia, and aging, including a touching narrative about dementia.
If you’re not a fan of slow-paced games, Danchi Days might test your patience. However, it’s a smaller, less overwhelming experience. It remains simple, focusing on exploration, interactions, and meeting many people in one city. Perhaps the biggest highlight is the Sensing ability and the NeighborNet (a retro internet system) to help you meet residents’ and uncover their problems. Its charming visuals will likely draw you in, but the real question is, will it hold your attention?
The demo provides plenty of content to explore and try out
The demo was surprisingly well-crafted, guiding you through the game with a tutorial and a full day where you meet the first 10 neighbors. Puzzles aren’t too difficult; they usually involve information you gather from interactions or searching the in-game internet. For example, you might learn how to create a puddle or use a “muddle ball” to stop wasps. The game presents solutions subtly, so you’ll rarely get stuck, as the answer is always within reach.
Danchi Days features two key mechanics for Hoshino’s exploration. The “looking” mechanic allows her to observe everyday details, objects, and living things like puddles, buildings, items, and people. On the other hand, the “sensing” ability lets you interact with designated objects to collect five stars, which then starts a mini-game. These mini-games are crucial for progression. There are many to discover, for example, one involves collecting water droplets by shaking baskets. You’ll need to manage your stamina and reach 100% focus to complete the game successfully.
The story in Danchi Days is a mix of linear and non-linear. You get to choose which residents to invite first, but the game’s hint system will occasionally guide you toward what’s important for the main story. While the demo didn’t offer a full map, progression will likely involve unlocking new zones or festival features. The computer mechanics were easy to use as well; you can check mail, search keywords, and store various items in your inventory. Most things you find on your journey can be used later, and every mechanic is connected with one another.
Packed with potential – a hidden gem?
Danchi Days is enjoyable, and I didn’t encounter major issues playing it. However, it’s not ideal for faster readers. If you try to skip dialogue, it instantly moves to the next line, meaning you can’t load an entire text box with one click; you have to wait for it to finish. The world does feel a bit empty, despite the game indicating the city is “dying”. I wished for more interactive objects beyond those focused solely on the story.
My favorite part is how unique each resident is, with distinct personalities and problems you can help them solve. For example, you can explore residents’ pasts to understand their stories, like with old grandpa Pete, who is a friend of your grandma. I also loved the occasional pixelated picture snippets that act as charming cut-scenes, like Hoshino with her grandma and her friend Rio. Additionally, everything in the game has its own voice, which truly adds to the overall experience.
It truly feels like you’re playing a GBA game, with its distinct square play area and background color. I’m excited to see its full potential. It’s cute, fun, and could easily become a hidden gem many players usually miss. Cozy gamers especially will find a lot to love in this title.
English (UK) 
Hrvatski