Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon

 DS
  • Publisher: Natsume
  • Release Date: Aug 14, 2007
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 56
  3. Negative: 6 out of 56
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  1. TrevorR.
    Sep 10, 2007
    6
    The rpg elements of the game are a welcome edition, and the fact that you can forge weapons, and brew potions, make the game stand out, as a great dungeon crawler. The farming aspect works excellently, the new system is great, I can actually plant seeds in the middle square, when I plant them on a 3x3 grid. The graphics are excellent, and the old diary system has returned, where you can The rpg elements of the game are a welcome edition, and the fact that you can forge weapons, and brew potions, make the game stand out, as a great dungeon crawler. The farming aspect works excellently, the new system is great, I can actually plant seeds in the middle square, when I plant them on a 3x3 grid. The graphics are excellent, and the old diary system has returned, where you can only save at the end of the day, but it adds a level of challenge to the game, that hasn't been present for a while. Make sure you don't make any mistakes during the day, or you might have to restart. Keeping monsters is excellent, and extremely fun. The opening scene was excellent, and the occasional voice acting is present. The voiceovers are terrible, but don't hurt the presentation, infact it just proves that the ds can support voice acting. There are only a few complaints I have with the game, and they ruin, what could have been one of the best games of all time. First, nothing in the farm is labled, except for the lumber shed. I know where the shipping bin is, but I'm not entirely sure how to feed my monsters in the monster hut. If everything was labled I wouldn't have to keep guessing where everything is. Second, I can't keep track of my assets, like my money, and how much lumber i have, unless I visit a shop. It makes it more difficult to plan my purchases. And lastly, what could be the worst part ever. I have always found that Harvest moon was about choosing a girl, and falling in love. The love system is not present in this game, instead it is replaced by a terrible, 10 point love system, in a poor attempt, to tie the love aspect to the storyline. I can't give my girl gifts, until I can acquire certain items from a cave. There are no flowers, and no heart events. This ruins the overall presentation, of what should have been an excellent game. Enough said.… Expand
  2. SprocketeerS.
    Oct 24, 2007
    6
    This is my first Harvest Moon game. Although the farming and collection components in the game are really fun, there have been too many problems for me to ever enjoy the game for a period of time. Being new to the series, I did not know about many of the series conventions. For example, I was completely stuck on how to remove stumps from my farm for the first year. The game and handbook This is my first Harvest Moon game. Although the farming and collection components in the game are really fun, there have been too many problems for me to ever enjoy the game for a period of time. Being new to the series, I did not know about many of the series conventions. For example, I was completely stuck on how to remove stumps from my farm for the first year. The game and handbook give you very little feedback on how to actually play the game. I needed to refer to internet FAQs many times to learn basic skills. Second, the battle system and cave levels are very annoying. The weapons are slow and take up energy so you have to conserve the amount of times you can use them. At times the caves are too easy, I just breeze through slightly bored and then for no reason I get stuck and will not be able to advance for long periods at a time. Right now, I cannot finish the Moonlight Cave boss. I can wipe out the entire cave without difficulty, but no matter how many strategies I come up with, I keep losing. Some parts of this game turned out to be really fun, like cooking and collecting monsters, but the constant frustrations have made me stop playing.… Expand
  3. CarajieS.
    Jan 16, 2008
    7
    This game is Extremly fun and I hate to say this but I do have some complaints. First of all in Harvest Moon you only had to buy the house upgrades but now not only must you save up 200,000 gold but get 2,000 peices of wood with it. I also have to add that my monsters *STILL* hate me and its almost been half a year in the game. I have, fed them, brushed them, and used the collecting This game is Extremly fun and I hate to say this but I do have some complaints. First of all in Harvest Moon you only had to buy the house upgrades but now not only must you save up 200,000 gold but get 2,000 peices of wood with it. I also have to add that my monsters *STILL* hate me and its almost been half a year in the game. I have, fed them, brushed them, and used the collecting basket but their friendship points are, still 0. I am happy however that there is no sprite collecting because I have never been able to collect all 60 sprites in Harvest Moon which meant that I never got married in the game. This game was great but I do not think it was the greatest game Natsume has made so far, I will be waiting for their next great game though.… Expand
  4. AmbiH.
    May 12, 2008
    7
    I liked the game. It was difficult at first but (mainly because I read walkthroughs online *Thank you Freyashawk*) I got used to it. I have a couple complaints though. The Harvest Moon Part of it is shambles

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best DS Game of 2007
15
#15 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007
20
#20 Most Shared DS Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. GameBrink
    91
    A great game with an overwhelming amount of things to do giving you a lot of freedom to explore the little world and follow the main story at your own pace. [JPN Import]
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  2. Nintendo Gamer
    83
    Very fun indeed. [Dec 2007, p.62]
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  3. IGN
    84
    For Harvest Moon fans, Rune Factory is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. The game balances a classic farming system (with some changes for the better) along with a full dungeon-crawling aspect, monster collection, and all the added goodies you’d expect from the franchise.
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