Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (DS)

So far, it's been getting some good reviews, a few 9's, but mostly from smaller indie review sites, but still impressive nevertheless.

I have this game. And I have to admit that I was never a Harvest Moon fan but this game is slowly turning me into one. The fantasy elements is what attracted me. The pre-rendered backdrops is beautifully illustrated and the character animations are wonderfully done.

Whether you like farming themes or not, there's one thing this game really showcases and it's the love the developers poured into this one. This game is full of good production values and the devs did not half-bake anything, unlike the previous Harvest Moon DS which was basically built around the GBA engine. Rune Factory is its own game specifically made for the DS so that alone is something Harvest Moon fans should be joyful over.

I sound cheeseball but this game is too cute so it's making me describe the game for what it's like.

Well my friend and i both picked it up the day of the release, but I also grabbed Luminous Arc because i saw some gameplay and it looked decent. Strangely enough i havent played Rune Factory yet because im addicted to Luminous Arc, but my friend is loving Rune Factory, and from what ive seen it does look to be the best harvest moon to date.

I have only fullyplayed one Harvest Moon game, It's A Wonderful Life for the GC (I think that was theone) and I enjoyed it since I have never fully played all of the Harvest Moon games to ever be created. Still though, Rune Factory is loads of fun and honestly takes how great Animal Crossing: Wild World and improves on quite a few areas.

I've been waiting for a few more reviews to come in since Gamespot is taking their time on reviewing this one. So far it sounds extremely promising, and a nice change for a series that has been in need of one for a while (or at least a good change). Robio_basic

The review is up! Check it out

extremely good game. I've been playing it for a week and its awsome.

I was wondering... I already have HM on DS, does anyone have both games to compare? I'm interested but i need to know a little more that whats on the review

Could you compare it to Harvest Moon? I have HM but I'd like to know the differences between that and Rune Factoryretro-zelda

For one there's an actual storyline in this game. More than just finding X number of sprites to bring back the goddess. It's a little more intense. You advance that plot by going into the dungeons, exploring them, and then defeating the final monster inside. Farming is actually kind of secondary. There's a monster capturing element to the game, and certain monsters will do some of your farm chores (watering and harvesting). So after a couple seasons the bulk of your time will be spent fighting in the dungeons and doing a lot of blacksmithing which is how you get the best weapons and accessories. Cooking and socializing are still important though.

Rune Factory is probably the best Harvest Moon game...but that's not saying much because it's still essentially Harvest Moon.

Only die-hard fans and Harvest Moon lovers apply. To everyone else, it may be too slow, tedious, and boring.