Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale Image
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77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

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  • Summary: Millennium Kitchen's Kaz Ayabe is known for mesmerizing many Japanese fans with his heartwarming stories in the Boku no Natsuyasumi (Summer Holidays 20th Century) series. In ATTACK OF THE FRIDAY MONSTERS! A TOKYO TALE, he introduces for the first time, a Tokyo-life simulation game whereMillennium Kitchen's Kaz Ayabe is known for mesmerizing many Japanese fans with his heartwarming stories in the Boku no Natsuyasumi (Summer Holidays 20th Century) series. In ATTACK OF THE FRIDAY MONSTERS! A TOKYO TALE, he introduces for the first time, a Tokyo-life simulation game where players will take the role of a young boy named Sohta who lives where the giant monsters from the TV shows of Japan's 1970s come to life every Friday. In this rustic town of tranquil days and idyllic scenery, there lies a nostalgic tale sure to warm your heart. ATTACK OF THE FRIDAY MONSTERS! A TOKYO TALE will be the first of Kaz Ayabe's games to be released outside of Japan. Expand

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Aug 14, 2013
    90
    The beautiful graphics, evocative soundtrack, selective but effective use of voice acting, excellent story, and occasional fart joke make Attack of the Friday Monsters worth keeping in your permanent collection.
  2. Games Master UK
    Sep 18, 2013
    85
    Short and sweet, its ability to capture a sense of time of place should be cherished. [Nov 2013, p.73]
  3. Jul 22, 2013
    80
    Level-5’s latest is a truly unique offering on the 3DS — it’s mostly nonviolent, heavily rooted in Japanese culture and nostalgia and has terrific production values. It’s not recommended for adrenaline junkies, and the Friday Monsters aren’t exactly the Kaiju from Pacific Rim, but for anyone looking to spend a few hours watching an excellent story unfold, Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale won’t disappoint.
  4. Jul 25, 2013
    80
    A hugely effective interactive story that shows that video games don’t need big budgets or extreme violence to tell an emotional tale.
  5. Aug 21, 2013
    80
    Relish the art and the experience it across several sittings; Sohta’s journey is brief, but very uplifting.
  6. Aug 19, 2013
    70
    It might be less interactive, more linear and less challenging compared to other games, but few - very few - offer a vision so nostalgic and penetrating of the seventies suburbs of Tokyo and Kaiju monsters that threatened skyscrapers, all from a mysterious perspective and a restless mind of a ten year old infant.
  7. Sep 5, 2013
    50
    Play it for the laid back narrative and faithful recreation of 1970s rural Japan, not for a deep monster-battling system or a well-told story.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. Sep 20, 2014
    10
    This is one of those unique modern games that can't easily be described by referencing older games, because there is very little like it. TheThis is one of those unique modern games that can't easily be described by referencing older games, because there is very little like it. The game plays like a JRPG, but there is no combat. The progression works like an Adventure game, but there are no puzzles. The game is about playing out the story and collecting cards in the card-battle mini game. The main story lasts 2-3 hours and it won't take more than 6-7 hours to 100% the game. Still, it deserves 10/10. So why is it so good? Play it and find out. Expand
  2. Dec 20, 2013
    10
    This game was fantastic in every way. Destructoids review was pretty spot on. The game is extremely nostalgic and really captures the magic ofThis game was fantastic in every way. Destructoids review was pretty spot on. The game is extremely nostalgic and really captures the magic of childhood. I found it involving me on an emotional level. It charmed me to death. The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic. When you consider all of this for the $5 price tag (I got it on sale) this buy is a no-brainer. Absolutely one of the best eShop titles I have purchased. Expand
  3. Mar 10, 2014
    10
    Attack of the Friday Monsters! Was brief but felt personal. I finished it in two hours but everything about it was stunning. Set in 70s JapanAttack of the Friday Monsters! Was brief but felt personal. I finished it in two hours but everything about it was stunning. Set in 70s Japan before the era in which neon dominated the cities and theres was a gadget in everyone's hands. In it you play as Sohta, a ten-year old kid who just moved to Fuij no hana in Setagaya ward. He learns that monsters come out every Friday and fights each other near the place. It is very charming and although all your do is talk to people and collect things theres something about that is very touching and makes you smile.

    +Lovely art style
    +Brings a smile to your face
    +Very immersive
    +Catchy music and lovely opening music
    +Feels personal
    +Characters are charming
    +A tribute to some of the most famous monsters and heroes from Japanese TV

    -Not to everyones taste sadly.
    Expand
  4. Jan 9, 2014
    7
    Part of Level 5's Guild series, in which the Japanese publisher releases smaller experimental games, Attack of the Friday Monsters is quitePart of Level 5's Guild series, in which the Japanese publisher releases smaller experimental games, Attack of the Friday Monsters is quite the intriguing little adventure. More interactive anime than actual game, it offers practically no challenge, but there's still enough here to give players a pleasant experience during its short length.

    The game is a homage to old Japanese monster shows like Ultraman and Godzilla, and takes place in a rural Tokyo suburb of the 1970's. You play as Sohta, a kid who just arrived in town, where he learns that, every friday, big monsters battle it out just outside the city. It's a finely crafted little story about childish imagination that has the potential to be quite memorable. It does get a bit crazy sometimes, but that's to be expected given the source material.

    The gameplay is so simple it seems almost an afterthought, and consists in two activities: you either wander around talking to people and collecting "glims" (shiny objects which turn into monster cards) or play monster cards with your friends. The wandering part is quite a joy, immersing you in the game's idyllic scenery as you discover the town and its people through Sohta's eyes. The card game is based on rock-paper-scissors, but with a bit of strategy added so that it isn't too luck-based. Like I said, challenge isn't really the name of the game here; the gameplay is mostly a laid-back and relaxing exercise to get you through the story.

    Attack of the Friday Monsters succeeds in what it sets to do: offer a simple emotional childhood tale disguised as an adventure game. During its three hours or so, it will be easy to lose yourself into its world, and it's quite possible you'll get nostalgic for your own childhood. My main qualm was the realization that this could have been so much more; the premise is attractive, the title is the right kind of quirky, the setting is quite inviting. The game is enjoyable as it is, but it could be downright memorable had it been developed as a full-fledged retail release.

    Rating: 7.5
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  5. Feb 16, 2017
    6
    What the hell was that I just played?! The whole time I was thinking, when am I going to do something of significance? When am I going to seeWhat the hell was that I just played?! The whole time I was thinking, when am I going to do something of significance? When am I going to see and fight monsters? Then suddenly it was over and I had only played the cards game 3 times and had collected nearly every token and card, and for what exactly?! All I did was watch the game unfold as I walked around town talking to a few people. It's not a boring game. I was actually interested the whole time for what ever reason, but I think it is more suited for younger people. It's a short game. Thank goodness I got it on sale! Expand
  6. Apr 5, 2021
    5
    €7, Digital.
    I think I kind-of finished Attack of the Friday monsters ?! I don't remember the ending. There were no friday monsters IIRC, but
    €7, Digital.
    I think I kind-of finished Attack of the Friday monsters ?! I don't remember the ending. There were no friday monsters IIRC, but you get to know the part of town and its inhabitants well, and the experience is nice, but the plot doesn't seem to go anywhere.
    It's far less quality than Weapon Shop De Omasse.

    So, if you haven't played De Omasse, you'll like this one. If you have, you won't.
    Expand
  7. Dec 25, 2014
    2
    This game was recommended by many, and I saw it on sale at the eshop, and so I thought, "What the heck? It must be good since it's so wellThis game was recommended by many, and I saw it on sale at the eshop, and so I thought, "What the heck? It must be good since it's so well liked." Boy was I wrong. I went in expecting a game, and came out wondering where my game was and wanting a refund, because I felt robbed.
    Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale, is what it states it is, a "tale", not a game, but a "tale". This tale, however, failed to entertain me. It fails as a game and a tale, because the story makes absolutely no sense it all. Without spoiling too much, there's monsters, aliens, kids, and cards. This all adds up to become a simmering pot of disaster. With this, the game actually takes itself seriously. There's a few jokes here and there, but for the most part, the game is supposed to be serious. NOTHING made sense and I was left with $3 gone to waste.
    If you're looking for a game, then don't buy this. If you're looking for a story, then don't buy this either. If you're researching horrible overrated games or if you feel like burning money, then this is just the "game" for you.
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See all 12 User Reviews