Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon

"Harvest Moon + Zelda? What could be better?"

When I heard that there was going to be a Harvest Moon look-a-like out there, I wasn't real thrilled. I thought that it would be just another knock off. But I did some digging, and when I heard about the part where they threw the fighting into the Harvest Moon scenario, I couldn't wait to be able to buy it. I mean, Harvest Moon + Zelda? What could be better?

Gameplay – 9/10

Much like harvest moon, you set off to make friends, grow crops, raise monsters, explore the caves, etc. Many of the controls are simple and easy to remember. You also have some shortcuts that let you take out tools, magic books, and skip around in your inventory with out much hassle. For those of you who have played Harvest Moon before, you'll find the controls very similar. Another nice touch is the ability to be able to choose weather to use the control pad or the touch screen. For me, the control pad is easier to use, except when you are scrolling through the menus. Although my brother, a seasoned touch screen user, informed me that if you are able to use the touch screen with ease, than this game will pose no challenge.

The movement for the control pad is easy, although can get a little repetitive when you are doing tedious tasks, such as harvesting crops, or putting multiple items in the shipping bin. Other tasks, such as talking to villagers and such, are just as easy as always. The buttons are in comfortable places, so if you have to run long distances with the L button, you don't get massive finger cramps. As for the touch screen, using it to browse the menus is a breeze, and those repetitive tasks that I talked about with control pad are no more.

The new, different aspect of the game, the fighting, just takes practice. All you have to do is keep pressing the B button until he dies. Don't get discouraged if you die on those first few battles, as I did. Like I said, it just takes practice, and your ability to whip some monster behind will increase with practice.


Story – 9/10

The story is much like Harvest Moon, although with the battles, caves, and general mayhem, there is much improvement. If you don't already know, you start out on a desolate wasteland. Okay, maybe not a desolate waste land, but it is a run down old farm. There are weeds everywhere along with stumps, rocks, weeds, and the occasional herb or two. You get to interact with the villagers, grow crops, raise monsters, brew medicine, and fight monsters, along with other new additions to the Harvest Moon games.

There was some disappointment with the story line, as the beginning is kind of…blah. You get to plant the crops, and talk to the villagers, but besides that, until you open the first cave, there isn't much to do. It seemed that time was going oh so slow. Not something that usually happens in Harvest Moon games. But that's only happens for the first 2-3 days, depending on how fast you go. After that, once you get the game started, the real fun begins. And let me assure you, it is the I-can't-put-this-game-down-it's-so-addicting kind.




Graphics – 7/10

It's not that the graphics are bad, because trust me, they aren't. It isn't the kind of games where you sit around wondering how old the kid was who drew them was. It's just that there's nothing that screams “WOW” about them. You got a 2-D background (this includes the mountains, trees, buildings, etc.) and a 3-D person, monster, and occasional object. It's the same as all the other HM games. I just wish they'd step it up a bit…..

Music – 6/10

The music, if I have to describe it in one word, is boring. It's the kind of music that has a tune that uses a whole lot of duhs. And it is very repetitive. If you're out on your farm for a long period of time then you'll hear the same tune repeated about 10 times. But then again, not many video games have really catchy music in it. Crazy Taxi is the exception. No, it's not nails on the chalk board music, but it isn't exactly the music you'd normally listen to either.

Overall – 9/10

Despite all the tiny imperfections here and there, this is one of the truly great games this year. As I said before, the idea of combining fights and farming is just a stroke of genius. It has a deep plot, what with the lost memory and all, that makes you want to keep going to discover the truth. There is rarely a dull moment with so much to do. And let me tell you, it's definitely worth the money; it'll keep you hooked for months.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/05/07

Game Release: Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (US, 08/14/07)