The second of the Tiny Teams games I’m looking at, and the last with a delivery theme, is Tanuki: Pon’s Summer. Developer Denkiworks have created a great visual style depicting this Japanese-inspired island, full of warm, bright colours to ride through on the BMX. It’s overall a very charming, anime-like aesthetic. The demo of this one provides tutorial and first day of delivering during this summer month.
In terms of bike riding, things are very simple. Use the stick to guide the bike, utilising a boost to get around faster and a jump to hop over obstacles or gain height for tricks. And there are plenty of tricks. It feels very Tony Hawk’s inspired, which makes it easy to get stuck in to what’s on offer. The other Tony Hawk’s inspired thing is the checklist of objectives given each day.
The people of this island want to see what this Tanuki can do while on the BMX, so challenges such as collecting letters, gaining a high combo score, and performing a certain trick in a certain area will be provided from the post office alongside that day’s deliveries. They don’t have to be done, but will get me more money for the second half of what Tanuki: Pon’s Summer offers.
For the deliveries, I was first tasked with heading over to the sumo ring to make an ASAP delivery. To sumo wrestler Tetsuo, who is very enthusiastic about his sport. To the point he wants to train Pon as a student. This introduces just one of the activities on offer while doing the delivery rounds. Of which there are three in total during this demo. Naturally, the photography activity is going to be my favourite.
This activity nets a camera that can be used for taking photos. Not as photo modes usually are, but as if Pon is using the camera. Whether that be for photos of the landscape, people around the town, or a few selfies. The camera also has a tripod, allowing it to be placed in the world, to then take Pon off on his BMX, riding around, performing a trick, and perhaps getting a great action shot.
Once all deliveries have been made, it’s time to return to the shrine for the decorating half of Tanuki: Pon’s Summer. Pon’s job at the post office is to earn money to fix up the shrine ready for the Tanuki Festival, which is just one month away. The grounds are currently empty of any decorations, meaning how this place gets decorated is completely up to me.
When it comes to decorations, the demo has given a taste of what to expect. Various statues, benches, plants, and walls are available for purchase, along with lamps, structures, and other things such as vending machines. The build mode is very easy to use, with a grid-based system for placing objects. With what was on offer in the demo, I had a good time designing the starting areas.
There is a lot to love about Tanuki: Pon’s Summer. The presentation is one such thing. I’ve already mentioned the lovely visuals, bursting with colour as they are. But there’s also the music. While off the BMX, there’s a gentle melody that plays. On it, the energetic rock starts up. Which manages to include flourishes of Japanese inspired music among it. Can’t help but smile when such appears.
The world is very much built with action sports on a BMX in mind. The rooftops are makeshift ramps, though there’s plenty of those around the town anyway. Rails for grinds are everywhere. Even the power lines! Such means that it’s easy getting sidetracked from delivering just messing around on the BMX. Finding potential shortcuts, too. And even off the BMX, there’s a lot to explore with the town.
First impressions are very great for Tanuki: Pon’s Summer, then. Easily controlled with a lovely presentation. Characters who are very expressive. Some great activities away from bike riding. It’s a good enough demo to sell me on the full game. I want to experience all 30 days of this summer and celebrate the Tanuki Festival with some no doubt weird creations. One I’ll eagerly be awaiting a date for.
Images Taken From:
Tanuki: Pon’s Summer | PC
