Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon

 DS
  • Publisher: Natsume
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2008
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Zentendo
    90
    Rune Factory 2 is packed with depth and content and offers a tremendous value for its package.
  2. Universo Nintendo
    85
    Harvest Moon fans who never played the first Rune Factory are obliged to play this one. Natsume promised: Rune Factory is a new franchise, which will follow a different path from Harvest Moon. Until now, the tracked path hasn't disappointed.
  3. IGN
    84
    This sequel is not very far removed from its predecessor at all, and while that doesn't make it a bad game, it should be taken into consideration for fans who've already invested tons of time into exploring last year's effort.
  5. 1UP
    83
    Despite the aforementioned pacing problems and slowdown that occurs when more than a handful of characters appear onscreen, Rune Factory 2 solidly integrates two disparate forms of gameplay in a lengthy, elaborate experience.
  6. GamingXP
    83
    Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon is a pretty cool game with enormous game-depth and long-term motivating gameplay.
  7. Cheat Code Central
    82
    Rune Factory 2 is the best Harvest Moon title to come out this year, and if you are just itching to get your agricultural juices flowing, Rune Factory 2 provides the perfect vehicle to do so.
  8. Nintendo Gamer
    81
    Another engrossing and attractive RPG adventure. [Oct 2010, p.62]
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  9. Worth Playing
    80
    It is long, boring and tedious, and seems to exist entirely to extend the game's length and force players through uninteresting toned-back gameplay to get to the actual fun. Thankfully, once you get past the first generation, Rune Factory 2 is a completely worthy, if not particularly different, sequel, and one that any Harvest Moon fan should enjoy.
  10. RPG Fan
    79
    It may sound like Rune Factory 2 is a worthless game, but that's only my tendency to focus on the negative, and it is especially frustrating because the developers made so many avoidable mistakes.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best DS Game of 2008
38
#38 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
66
#66 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
  1. Asheciel
    May 27, 2014
    8
    Story: 7/10
    - Entertaining elements here and there; not very remarkable.
    Gameplay: 7/10 - Fighting can be slow and clumsy, but the farm    Story: 7/10
    - Entertaining elements here and there; not very remarkable.
    Gameplay: 7/10
    - Fighting can be slow and clumsy, but the farm life is reminiscent of the actual Harvest Moon titles.
    Art: 8/10
    - Cute anime characters.
    Characters: 8/10
    - Even though there is almost no character growth at all, most of the characters still manage to be interesting.
    Sound: 8/10
    - Serene soundtracks.
    Enjoyment: 8/10
    - I enjoyed playing this game for the most part, even though the voice acting is among the worst I ever heard.
    Notable horrible voices: Jake and Byron.    … Full Review »
  2. Cale
    Sep 14, 2011
    9
    As a huge fan of the series from all the way back when I imported it for my birthday in 1996 as Bokujo Monogatari for Super Famicom (wow, IAs a huge fan of the series from all the way back when I imported it for my birthday in 1996 as Bokujo Monogatari for Super Famicom (wow, I feel old now), I must say I'm very biased when it comes to this series. Within the context of the series and the Rune Factory spin-offs as a whole, this one is the best one, bar none. My only game-specific complaint is that it could be more difficult, but that's not enough to keep it from a perfect score. What is enough to dock a point is the voice acting. I dislike voice acting in games as a whole, with Doom III being the only exception. While not quite as annoying as the voice acting from "Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin", at least in that game I could turn it off.… Full Review »
  3. Reviewer
    Jul 3, 2011
    8
    Rune factory 2 is an overall great game that is one of the best on ds, but the game has problems. Rune factory is a new installment in theRune factory 2 is an overall great game that is one of the best on ds, but the game has problems. Rune factory is a new installment in the spin off series harvest moon. In the game you take life at your own pace and spend most of your time farming, or you can accept many quests and not farm that much. The game is basically what you get when you mix Animal Crossing with Fable. Rune Factories biggest problem is that each story level is about as epic as the average side mission in a normal RPG.The games story is very simple and and shallow, you are a kid who walked into a town and you have no memory of your past. You meet some people that give there old dried up farmland... and thats about it. Rune Factories visuals are very nice and unique , but I am sad to say that the sound is not. Once in awhile the game's sound will just go out for a second (this is very rare, but still annoying) and the game has only like 3 or 4 tracks. Rune factory has really good and simple gameplay, and for a RPG the gameplay is amazingly fun. Overall Rune Factory is a fun and original DS game and every one who like's life Sims or casual RPG's should own this game.… Full Review »
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