Harvest Moon 3D: The Lost Valley

 3DS
  • Publisher: Natsume
  • Release Date: Nov 4, 2014
User Score
4.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 54
  3. Negative: 32 out of 54
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Betamaxxx
    Dec 5, 2014
    8
    Doing my homework and knowing what type of game this was going to be before taking off the packaging really helped to set my expectations for what it is - a combination of Minecraft + Harvest Moon with neither of the fully fledged features of either one, but what's there compliments one another so that I didn't really notice what was missing. Too many reviewers have gone in with aDoing my homework and knowing what type of game this was going to be before taking off the packaging really helped to set my expectations for what it is - a combination of Minecraft + Harvest Moon with neither of the fully fledged features of either one, but what's there compliments one another so that I didn't really notice what was missing. Too many reviewers have gone in with a different set of expectations and given ridiculously low scores for a percieved shallow experience that didn't meet their classic Harvest Moon gaming familiarity. Rather than sit back and allow a massive corporation like Marvelous AQL (and their American publishing subsidiary XSEED) to strong arm the franchise away that they helped create here in the US, they've bravely taken the Harvest Moon franchise in an evolved and exciting direction (of course with missteps that any new game engine or IP would trip over, hence the 8/10).
    I can't wait to see what content they'll be bringing with future DLC and improvements they'll make with a longer development cycle now that the groundwork has been laid in this exciting reboot, it looks like the future of Harvest Moon is bright!    … Expand
  2. mysticaura
    Dec 27, 2014
    8
    Anyone wanting a new twist on the HM series, with more freedom of creation and a more relaxing environment, I highly suggest this game. As a long-time fan I was pleasantly surprised at the ability to shape most of my world however I wanted it. You still have your crops, trees, animals, and romance, but also get the ability to landscape your world, helpful skills to teach your animals, andAnyone wanting a new twist on the HM series, with more freedom of creation and a more relaxing environment, I highly suggest this game. As a long-time fan I was pleasantly surprised at the ability to shape most of my world however I wanted it. You still have your crops, trees, animals, and romance, but also get the ability to landscape your world, helpful skills to teach your animals, and a new interesting take on how to breed new types of crops.

    While the game-play is a bit slow paced for some, it was kind of nice to not have to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off in order to get things done every day. I for one am happy to see this new direction they're taking and with a bit of tweaking, this experiment of theirs could really enhance the series in future releases.

    Please Natsume, do not fear the reviewers who abhor change. Keep the new world design aspects, speed up the pace a bit. This new combination of world design, story and farm life is much welcomed.

    + large world(valley) to landscape and design
    + helpful skills/traits for pets to earn
    + relaxing atmosphere which DOES still feel like HM
    + interesting new crop mechanics (needs some fine tuning)

    - controls could use fine tuning
    - story line could be smoothed out, characters could use a bit more depth
    - no ability to experiment with recipes    … Expand
  3. Satin23
    Jul 15, 2015
    8
    Having read about the split in the series known as Harvest Moon I was initially highly dubious about this first attempt by Natusme at their own farming game. However reading reviews about the actual game rather than those just upset at the split convinced me to give it a go.

    This game reminds me of the original Harvest Moon on the SNES as the only thing to do is farm. You can grow as    Having read about the split in the series known as Harvest Moon I was initially highly dubious about this first attempt by Natusme at their own farming game. However reading reviews about the actual game rather than those just upset at the split convinced me to give it a go.

    This game reminds me of the original Harvest Moon on the SNES as the only thing to do is farm. You can grow as many crops as you like (I currently have over 100 growing at once) and put them wherever you like in the valley. The growing conditions, height of the land, swamp or normal, season etc, can affect your crops giving you mutations. There are meant to be 10 types of each crop due to these mutations and I must admit this feature is the one that really made me try the game. At the beginning it is hard to get mutations as the valley is stuck in winter. However I have accidently made some flower mutations and one crop (strawberry). I am really looking forward to finding out what different conditions cause these effects so I'm avoiding walkthroughs so I get the thrill of discovering them for myself.

    Basic animals are available, cows, sheep, chickens, and horses. There are areas you can mine at some point and fishing is possible. These are more extras though than the huge mines seen in some previous installments like Animal Parade and Tree of Tranquility. There isn't a town to visit, people just come into the valley or outside your house on certain days of the week. If you love spending time in HM chatting to all the people in town, mining, fishing etc rather than watering crops and caring for cows then this isn't the game for you. If you are a bit of a hermit farmer like me then you will probably love this game like I do as it goes backs to the sheer basics of farming.    … Expand
  4. NANAAZAD
    Aug 26, 2015
    9
    the game is similar to the old snes game it makes the player an even more free world to explore and change while natsume tries to make the game a more ope world farming game story of seasons make's the game about the connection's you make with the people and both have something to offer while i think natsume is experimenting to find their own way two different harvest moon games for twothe game is similar to the old snes game it makes the player an even more free world to explore and change while natsume tries to make the game a more ope world farming game story of seasons make's the game about the connection's you make with the people and both have something to offer while i think natsume is experimenting to find their own way two different harvest moon games for two different groups of audience.… Expand
  5. karican
    Mar 28, 2017
    8
    As is obvious, this game did not do well. However some still enjoyed it and I will focus on the reasons why I did. This game makes you work for everything. Not just unlocking new characters and areas, you have to work to unlock each season. It t is slow paced, be warned, but I found it to be rewarding and I really enjoyed the progression. I felt more motivated to fulfill objectives inAs is obvious, this game did not do well. However some still enjoyed it and I will focus on the reasons why I did. This game makes you work for everything. Not just unlocking new characters and areas, you have to work to unlock each season. It t is slow paced, be warned, but I found it to be rewarding and I really enjoyed the progression. I felt more motivated to fulfill objectives in this game than other HM games. I also liked the new concept of altering your environment and using this to create new crop mutations. I wont recommend this game to everyone, but if you enjoy sandbox environment crafting and slower paced games, then maybe you are the type to enjoy this game. I certainly did.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best 3DS Game of 2014
15
#15 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2014
8
#8 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
46

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 22
  3. Negative: 11 out of 22
  1. Level7.nu
    Aug 26, 2015
    50
    The Lost Valley fails to deliver groundbreaking gameplay for those already familiar with the series. While the terraforming aspect is a fun addition on its own, it should not be at the expense of the defining elements of the series. The life of a farmer is just not compelling this time around.
    Read full review
  2. NZGamer
    Jul 31, 2015
    50
    Sticks to the farm formula and delivers a pretty ordinary game.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Jul 27, 2015
    40
    A weird blend of Harvest Moons and Minecraft, executed so poorly that I can’t recommend it to anyone. [08/2015, p.79]
See all critic reviews »