"Since when is farming fun?"

Try to imagine gameplay that would make the most boring game in existence. Farming might be a nice idea to fit into that catagory. You'd wake up, and what, water crops? Milk cows? Hoe land? Oh yeah, sounds real exciting.

Somehow it is. I am not exactly sure how Natsume Games pulled of the idea of preforming the most mundane tasks and turning it into addicting gameplay, but they did. This game never really recieved mainstream recognition like Animal Crossing did (which is in many ways similar to Harvest Moon). But it is a cult classic that has a loyal fanbase. This series really isn't for everyone, but if you like Animal Crossing than I think you'll love this even more. Its really easy to find in atleast one form.

Story {4/10}

You're looking in the newspaper and come across an add for a farm. It's described as luxurious and relaxing. When you actually get to the farm, its very run down and needs work. The Mayor laughs at you for buying into the corny advertisement. Since when does this kind of game need a storyline anyway? It's nothing special, but it gives the game a reason to get going.

Gameplay {8.7/10}

Ah the gameplay, the heart and soul of the game. There is SO much to do. You have to balance your money so that you aren't poor and can invest into animals and crops and turn a profit. All this work might be kind of hard to do alone, right? Never fear, if you can befriend these little elf like creatures called Sprites. They will help you work and run errands for you. There is seven of them, all with their own color and personality.
You can go to the market to buy seeds which you then need to go plant after you hoe the land you have. You can go to the local farm to buy animals which will make you a profit if they lay eggs or whatever that animal does. You can cook. If you give gifts to people and talk to them you will become friends with them which will benefit you in one way or another. You can mine. You can build fire. There's tons of fish to catch at the beach, stream, or pond. Chop up some wood. Maybe even get married and build a cottage. There is so much to do that if I went into ever detail this would be over two thousand words long. But just know, its fun.

Sound {7.9/10}

The main theme replays over and over and gets stuck in your head. If you're cool with that kind of thing than you should have no problem here. Its not that it doesn't sound good, it just seems to keep relooping. Most of the time you won't notice its there, but when you do you'll either be bopping to it or wishing you weren't humming it over and over again. The actual sound effects are okay. Its mostly bleeps and bloops but there's nothing wrong with that. Being this is the Gameboy we are talking about, there's no voice acting. Text works just fine and voice acting might have gotten annoying because you'll be doing a lot of talking in this game.

Graphics {8/10}

Again, not really a game that requires great graphics and this is the GBA we're talking about. But Natsume provided some pretty nice graphics anyway. Everything is pretty colorful and lively I guess. There's nothing really to complain nor praise about the graphics, they're just kind of there and you won't really think about them.

Buy, Rent, or Burn?

I'm going to have to say buy. Its a very addicting game. Hours will fly by and you won't even notice. It would make a fantastic companion for a long car ride, or good for simply hiding in your room and playing for hours on end. Trust me, if you rent this, you'll regret it because you'll want it back. This series isn't for the kind of people who only play shooters and action games, but if you like Animal Crossing than I think you'll love this even more. Its really easy to find in atleast one form, so go pick it up.

I'm still asking myself, since when is farming fun?

Story {4/10}
Sound {7.9/10}
Gameplay {8.7/10}
Graphics {8/10}

Overall score: 8.7/10 (not an average)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/20/07