Gaming Four New Harvest Moon Games, Discussion and News

[KingdomBlade]

Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands is the sequel to the harshly reviewed (yes, harshly reviewed) Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness and that was released in Japan a year ago. After an impatient wait (from me anyways), it's finally going to come to the US in August. Want to see what's new? Then look here:

<img src="http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/0/943700_97076_front.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=Fogu.com)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fogu.com)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->General information:
- This is the 7th Harvest Moon game for DS (HMds, HMds4g, RF, RF2, HM:Island, and PdeHM)
- There are five islands in the Sunflower Archipelago. Hinata Island from HM: Island can be seen


Characters
- You can choose to be a boy (Mark) or a girl (Chelsea) as your gender. The protagonists are the same from Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness (English name)
- Returning characters are the whole main cast from Island of Happiness (Valts, Pierre, Natalie, Chen, etc)
- The Witch "princess" now has a little niece who lives with her, who claims she is the world's best witch.


Marriage
- New candidates:

--- Will (for chelsea) is a wealthy, polite blonde who lives in a cabin cruiser (a large boat)

- Will's full name is William Terri Luce Andrew Karick Johnathan Toriji Hams Reding Roger Sazak Annick Primus Junior Darshaniack the third

- In Japanese, that's ウィリアム　テリー　リュース　アンドリュ　キャリック　ジョナサン　トリッジ　ハムズ　レヂング　ロジャー　サザク　アニック　プリマス　ジュニア　ダルシャニアック　三世

- Darshan is Will's uncle, which makes Cefiena his cousin.

- Will moves to the island with his yacht, the Saint William. She is docked on the pier next to Danny's house

--- Suiren (for mark) is a treasure hunter who wears a Chinese dress.


Wifi
- Item trading can be accomplished by using a lighthouse on one of the islands.
- Voice chat is also included, which originally existed in Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness.

Islands
- The world is set in the Sunflower Archipelago
- One of the islands looks a lot like Hinata Island from HM:Island, although it has not been stated yet if this is the starting island.
- The Goddess and Witch+little witch live on a pair of island that you must resurrect.

- The farm is still in the same area, but the shops have shuffled around a little bit.
- There is now a Windmill on the farm, and the locations of the Pet and House seem to be swapped (very minor change).

Animals
- Returning basic livestock of chickens, cows, and sheep.

- The basic animals come in multiple colors, like brown spotted cows and black chickens.

- The wild animals on the Wild Animal Island can be befriended until it lives on your farm. You can have Tanuki, Rabbit, Sparrow, Mouse, Duck, and Monkey.

- To start working on the wild animals, resurrect the Wild Animal Island (12 sun stones) and go back a few days later. A sprite and a feeding bin will appear.

- You can use various wild items (herbs, blueberries, etc.) to draw out certain wild animals. Massell also sells wild animal food in her shop for 10 G each.

- New cat and pig pets have been added. Pigs can help you locate wild mushrooms while the cat has no known purpose yet.

Cooking
- The recipes come from the Diner, just like in IoH (give an item to the shopkeeper and maybe you'll learn a recipe).
- There are now seasonal recipes that you can only learn during certain times of the year
- Flour, rice, and soybeans can be purchased year-round. In IoH you had to grow them.

Mini games
- Kitty wiggle - move the stylus left/right to get the cat to chase the cat toy
- Dog Frisbee - slide the stylus to toss the frisbee
- Horse cart race - yell at your DS microphone to encourage your horse

Sprite Home Stay

- After you unlock the Sprite Island, the Harvest Sprites will be available for "home stay". Talk to the red sprite next to the sprite hut to ask for a home stay. You can send sprites to various areas and shops on the island and they will help with certain tasks.

- Sprites will stay at their placed location for a certain number of days, and then return back to their island to rest. When you ask for a home stay you will be told the number of days they'll be staying and how many days you have to wait before they will become available again.

- Not all areas will be available. If there aren't any sprites that can be located to some spots then the option will be darker on the location selection screen.

- Each task at a location has a strength to it - small, medium, or large. The more sprites you find for that particular color's team, the better the strength. There are only 46 sprites in all.

Chicken Coop
- Raise friendship
- Lower chicken stress
- Feeding
- Move the chickens outside/inside
- Collect eggs

Pet Barn
- Raise friendship
- Feeding
- Move the pets outside/inside

Your House
- Raise friendship with spouse and child
- Harvest crops
- Plow the field
- Water crops
- Cut crops (using the sickle)

Massell's House
- Raise friendship
- Lowers shop prices
- Earn more money for selling livestock

Chen's House
- Raise friendship
- Lowers shop prices (10k G and 1m G tickets excluded)
- Earn more money for selling items (10k G and 1m G tickets excluded)
- Lowers the number of materials needed to make accessories

Tarou's (shipper) House
- Raise friendship

Pierre's House
- Raise friendship

Arubio's House
- Raise friendship

Yasuro's House
- Raise friendship

Toshizo's House
- Raise friendship

Ijikka's House
- Raise friendship

Darshan's (millionare) House
- Raise friendship
- Decrease the amount of lava on the Volcano Island

Danny's House
- Raise friendship
- Have more fish bite on your line while fishing

Lilly's house
- Raise friendship
- Increase your fishing efficiency

Goran's House
- Raise friendship
- Lowers shop prices
- Lowers the necessary lumber for building

Karon's (Inn) House
- Raise friendship

Will's Boat
- Raise friendship

Shiba's House
- Raise friendship

Witch's House
- Raise friendship

Church
- Raise friendship<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And one of the best new features is the D-Pad Option so no more useless stylus usage.

Screenshots:
<img src="http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/145/943700_20090526_790screen003.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/145/943700_20090526_790screen004.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/145/943700_20090526_790screen006.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/ds/strategy/harvestmoonkirakira/images.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gsimage&tag=images;header;more" target="_blank">A full gallery of screenshots can be found by clicking here.</a>

<a href="http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/file/943700/52090" target="_blank">A translation guide can be found by clicking here.</a>

Next up is the Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming that is already released in the US but also came out in Japan a year ago (I hate these translators). It is the sequel to the completely horrible Puzzle de Harvest Moon. It has the same gameplay, with some extra features here and there. And the verdict is:

Exactly the same. Still very bad and a waste of time. The only difference is it has IoH characters this time.

<img src="http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/9/958189_120842_front.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Screenshots:
<img src="http://www.fogu.com/hm/frantic_farming/img/prerelease/screenshot01.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://www.fogu.com/hm/frantic_farming/img/prerelease/screenshot02.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://www.fogu.com/hm/frantic_farming/img/prerelease/screenshot09.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<a href="http://www.fogu.com/hm/frantic_farming/screenshots.php" target="_blank">A full screenshot gallery can be found by clicking here</a>

The verdict: Do not play if you value your sanity. (exaggerating a bit but you still shouldn't play)

Next up is Harvest Moon: Welcome! Wind's Bazaar. As usual, the translators are not done yet translating. It got released in Japan December last year, so probably, n the US near the end of the year of maybe the start of 2010.

<img src="http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/8/954288_113721_front.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Kinda looks like a carnival, right?

<!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=fogu.com)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fogu.com)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Information:
- You can choose your gender at the beginning of the game.
- The town is called "Breeze Town" (or Zephyer Town); そよ風タウン

The Bazaar:
- Each week the town has a bazaar, where people put up items for sale.
- You can also participate in the bazaar by selling items you've grown, found, or produced
- At the end of the "day", the results of the bazaar will be tallied up by Felix, the mayor of the town.

Windmills:
- The town has 3 windmills. Each can produce different goods when you place ingredients inside.
- The speed at which goods are manufactured depends on the wind speed of that day. You can do more if the day has hurricane winds.

Wifi:
- You can have up to 3 other people join you in your bazaar OR your farm.
- They can buy items from your bazaar, or even work on your farm with you.

Characters:
- Felix, the town's mayor. He is a muscular man with a blond beard
- Stewart, who runs the town's hotel.
- Sania, Stewart's wife
- Mucha, who is very enthusiastic about business.
- Yuris
- Deluka, Yuris' brother
- Royd, a traveler
- Freya
- Anemone, she works at the hotel as a maid.
- Shelfa, who is mayor Felix's daughter.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Screenshots:
<img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f36/pornoakleo/free/bokujo03.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/17475/1/4.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/images/NEWS2/HarvestMoon1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Looks awesome, right?

Rune Factory 3 is the successor to Rune Factory 1, 2, and Frontier. It is quoted as the most exciting Farming game ever. Let's see.

<!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=nintendo.joystiq.com)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nintendo.joystiq.com)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The Rune Factory series is showing that it is still, at heart, part of the Harvest Moon franchise -- mostly by having lots of sequels. The latest issue of Famitsu reveals another, Rune Factory 3 for DS. This is actually the fourth Rune Factory, counting Frontier on Wii.

In addition to his duties as a farmer, new protagonist Maisu, who features a character design right out of Tetsuya Nomura's sketchbook, can transform into monsters, gaining different abilities in battle and interacting differently with other characters out of battle.

According to IGN's translation, the game now features "active seeds" that grow into plants that can be used in battle! Most exciting farming game ever.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=IGN)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IGN)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->July 1, 2009 - Farming, adventure, love. And now transformation! Marvelous is bringing the Rune Factory series to the DS, complete with new elements.

Famitsu reports in its latest issue that Rune Factory 3 is being prepared for Japanese DS release some time this year. The game promises all the farming, adventuring, and romance aspects of past Rune Factory games, but adds in the ability to make main character Maisu transform into monsters once you've obtained a "Transformation Belt." When in monster form, you'll have access to a separate set of actions during battle, and be treated to new conversations while in town.

One example of a monster is the long-eared "Golden Moko Moko." When you're in Moko Moko form, one cute little girl who's apparently displeased with you otherwise, finds you cute!

Despite Maisu's ability to transform into a monster, the game still allows you to raise and bring monsters into battle. And for the first time, you'll also take certain plants into battle with you! These special plants emerge from "Active Seeds," and while details are unclear at present, they apparently play a major role in the game.

As for the more traditional Rune Factory elements, they're all back, but with some apparent changes.

Characters make use of new AI, with their daily movements around town driven by interests, goals, and relationships with other characters.

The farming aspect of the game has one obvious change. For various unspecified reasons, the only areas of the world that can grow plants are those that are underground and receive the protection of a special tree. Maisu's home is located in that tree, and his farm is located below. The inside of the tree is said to be very spacious, so you may end up spending quite some time in there.

With a Japanese release planned for 2009, it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that Rune Factory 3 is pretty far along. The game is 80% complete according to Famitsu.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Screenshots and Scans:

<img src="http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/image-thumb2.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/100/1001217/rune-factory-3-a-fantasy-harvest-moon-20090706100534614_640w.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/100/1001217/rune-factory-3-a-fantasy-harvest-moon-20090706100532582_640w.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/100/1001217/rune-factory-3-a-fantasy-harvest-moon-20090706100536176_640w.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

[Elritha]

Only one I've heard of is Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands. Looking forward to d-pad support in that one. The older one was annoying with the touch screen support and put me off playing the game.

The second one looks like some sort of puzzle game, what exactly is the objective? I've not read up about it.

The wifi support on the third one sounds interesting. Especially the part where others can help you on the farm. I really do hope that is implemented properly and not some other crappy trading system sort of thing.

Never heard of a Rune Factory 3. Can't wait for that one. Shame that it can take so long for an English release.

 

[alidsl]

never played the series and I might look into this

Can you put anything in spoilers to make it more organised

 

[.Darky]

A 3rd Rune Factory for the DS? Hell yes!

Guess we'll have to wait until next year to get the translation.

 

[Elritha]

By the way, am I the only one who thinks they're starting to milk the franchise a bit too much?

I am a big Harvest Moon fan, but four games announced seems like an awful amount. At least I have a flashcart to try them out and figure out which ones are worth buying. Otherwise I'd be confused...

 

[KingdomBlade]

No, the only problem with this whole franchise is Puzzle de Harvest Moon and Frantic Farming as both of them are horrible.

 

[Private|Par]

TBH, I see Rune Factory as a different franchise as Harvest Moon. Although the basic premise is the same, that's where the two games separate. That's like saying Vegas 2 and Gears of War 2 are in the same series, because they both rely on cover-based combat.

Harvest Moon has gone downhill, IMO, since the GBA version. Hopefully these will be a return to form, with promised D-Pad support.

 

[Elritha]

Well Vegas 2 and Gears of War 2 are developed by different companies to start with.

I do see what you mean about them being seperate, but I wouldn't call them entirely seperate. Rune Factory still has the basic principal of farming and interacting with townfolk. They're also both developed by the same developers. Rune Factory 1 also had Harvest Moon in the title (though I suspect more to try and push sales then anything).

 

[Private|Par]

Yes, I do see your point. And I have no doubt that RF1 having Harvest Moon in the title was entirely to drive sales,

And I just see them as different games because Rune Factory has the whole concept of weapons, monsters, fighting, etc. It's a lot more active than HM, which I feel is more passive.

 

[Domination]

"Some that youv'e never heard of"

Most of them were announced some time ago already, except Rune Factory 3, which was just lately.

IMO, Rune Factory is the best amongst all the games that use the HM formula. But the character design for this one seems uninspired. Though, the gameplay was fresh and fun when RF first came out. I feel the HM formula can be boring, so the addition of ARPG was great. And RF2 just got better with second generation and stuff. Now RF3, they are going with transformation into were-monsters. If there is (most likely) going to be another RF, I'm sure they will just dwell into much more absurd ideas.

Though I can'say much about that, since they already milk HM alot, RF is mostly likely going to be like it. And probably just become the same game after game.

 

[gumbyscout]

"Some that youv'e never heard of"

Most of them were announced some time ago already, except Rune Factory 3, which was just lately.

IMO, Rune Factory is the best amongst all the games that use the HM formula. But the character design for this one seems uninspired. Though, the gameplay was fresh and fun when RF first came out. I feel the HM formula can be boring, so the addition of ARPG was great. And RF2 just got better with second generation and stuff. Now RF3, they are going with transformation into were-monsters. If there is (most likely) going to be another RF, I'm sure they will just dwell into much more absurd ideas.

Though I can'say much about that, since they already milk HM alot, RF is mostly likely going to be like it. And probably just become the same game after game.

The only game I didn't know about was Rune Factory 3. I happen to like the farming aspect, well to a certain extent. Rune Factory 2 was too dull, because I still was traumatized from Rune Factory 1 to want to woo and do the laborious task of getting wood for a silly school just to start the actual game

. Rune Factory Frontier got boring when I didn't do any farming at all, especially since when I started again, the runey population was too jacked up to farm properly :/.

I hope Wind Bazzar is going to be a good game, though I don't really like the art style.

 

[GeekyGuy]

You would think it wouldn't be that difficult to inject some common-sense elements into the handheld versions of these games. The first Rune Factory was a fantastic RPG and a great way to keep the Harvest Moon thing alive without running it further into the ground...but it seems that's exactly what they're doing with even that now. The second RF game was pretty much a clone of the first, and I don't anticipate much new in the third. As for the traditional handheld HM games, they just can't seem to come up with a control scheme, presentation and story that is interesting enough to demand someone's attention -- not mine at least. Wish they would, though, because I still very much love the whole premise of the series.

 

[nwong]

wait wait wait. does that mean the new harvest moon game you still have to move with the stylist and use tools with the dpad? O_O im kinda slow as you can see lol. the whole moving with stylist and dpad tools made me wanna throw my ds in the bin.

 

[DSGamer64]

They really are milking the shit out of Harvest Moon on the DS aren't they?

 

[ojsinnerz.]

The only thing I'm interested in is Rune Factory 3. I loved the first two, and I'll sure to get the the 3rd game, whenever it comes out.

As for the other harvest moon games, I really couldn't care less, as almost all of harvest moon games these days are very rushed, and show how little time was spent into making them. It's quite sad, but that's how it is.

 

[Elritha]

They really are milking the shit out of Harvest Moon on the DS aren't they?

Unfortunately it is getting worse and worse. I do love the harvest series, I just wish they would focus on one, maybe two games of the franchise, that way they could implement more features and bug fixing. Each new release has minor improvements at best with a few exceptions and are generally riddled with bugs.

 

[nwong]

like you said its getting worse and worse. i used to love playing it on gba now its just weird. though Rune Factory series is great

 

[-Demon-]

I love this series, starting from hm on snes I've played almost every release
About this four new entries, I'm waiting for RF 3, since I hope it's going to be awesome, and Shining sun and friends, since Island of happiness disappointed me a little..not for the controls though, but the lack of things to do (I mean, it takes forever to unlock some citizens, most of the time you're harvesting crops and not much else) and the damn hunger bar that goes down too fast

 

[nwong]

oh i dont like it for the controls XD but the RF series controls are so good. especially that quick select thingo.

 

[-Demon-]

oh i dont like it for the controls XD but the RF series controls are so good. especially that quick select thingo.

Yep, controls in IoH are sloppy and uncomfortable, but after a while you get used to it

Those of Rune factory are surely better and easy to use..anyway it's obvious that they're focusing on the rune factory series, I mean island of happiness is not a terrible game, but it has some problems that could have been easily solved if they cared more, same for the HM series (is that difficult to have people say three or four phrases, instead of ONE, all year long?)

With decent controls, some nice mini-games and a little bit of variety in dialogues and situations it could have been a great game

What I hate the most is the hunger bar, anyway..it ruins the relaxing "feel" of the series..I spent the first two in-game months of IoH looking for weeds and catching fishes to prevent the boy from starving..that's tedious and frustrating

Can't wait for shining sun and friends

(hope it's readable, since my english it's pretty rusty)