Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life

 GameCube
  • Publisher: Natsume
  • Release Date: Mar 16, 2004
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 164 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 164
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 164
  3. Negative: 16 out of 164
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  1. bolacola
    May 19, 2018
    7
    The game itself has some charm with interesting characters, however the awkwardness of the movement and generally tedious tool mechanic make it harder to play.
  2. Sinn
    Oct 2, 2005
    6
    I've played HM snes and 64 and I thought they were better than great. I was so excited when I heard about AWL and all of its new features (kid growing up, completely new characters, revised marriage system, to name a few). Imagine my disappointment when I played the game and found it to be a watered down version of the old games. The so-called festivals are boring, uninteractive I've played HM snes and 64 and I thought they were better than great. I was so excited when I heard about AWL and all of its new features (kid growing up, completely new characters, revised marriage system, to name a few). Imagine my disappointment when I played the game and found it to be a watered down version of the old games. The so-called festivals are boring, uninteractive videos compared to the fun and excitement of the ones in 64. The farming is tedious instead of enjoyable. Don't even get me started on the girls in it (ONLY 3?!!!). All in all I was thoroughly disappointed with the game because it has ruined a brilliant series. From now on I'll be very wary of buying any HM game, despite any good reviews it recieves.… Expand
  3. RhiannonS.
    Mar 6, 2005
    6
    The game itself is very beautiful, and I'm very happy they revived the marriage system that they left out of the old games. However, now they removed one of the other things that made the game so wonderful: the festivals! There are three of them, but they are no where as fun as the originals were. Natsume truly needs to stop messing with the formula. While beautiful, the game is dull The game itself is very beautiful, and I'm very happy they revived the marriage system that they left out of the old games. However, now they removed one of the other things that made the game so wonderful: the festivals! There are three of them, but they are no where as fun as the originals were. Natsume truly needs to stop messing with the formula. While beautiful, the game is dull and repetitive, with nothing to look forward to.… Expand
  4. JenA.
    Mar 4, 2004
    5
    These people r sexist, why can't they have one game for girls and boys? the game is nice n all but wheres the respect for us girls who like to play it?
  5. Mr.KNOWALL!
    Apr 19, 2004
    2
    I am experienced in other HM titles like 64 and FOTM(Both AWESOME games). But I tell you why AWL SUCKS!!!! Get Ready! *Farming -farm starts perfecly clean (no challenge) -u start with a cow -watering is a tedious 8!TCH!!! -crops make hardly ANY profit(so why bother planting them) *Girls and Characters -NOT ORIGINAL HM CHARACTERS -only 3 girls -give them 15 of what they like and they love I am experienced in other HM titles like 64 and FOTM(Both AWESOME games). But I tell you why AWL SUCKS!!!! Get Ready! *Farming -farm starts perfecly clean (no challenge) -u start with a cow -watering is a tedious 8!TCH!!! -crops make hardly ANY profit(so why bother planting them) *Girls and Characters -NOT ORIGINAL HM CHARACTERS -only 3 girls -give them 15 of what they like and they love you!(WTF kinda challenge is that?!) -promised diary reading was LAME! *Misc -no festivals -HS cant work for u -town is tiny(barely can be called a town) -TEN DAYS IN A SEASON(WTF!!!!!!) -u start with kitchen, fridge, and shelf(Which u dont need cuz rucksack holds 3500 items!!!!!) But HEY. The graphics are great so who cares about all this failure!!! … Expand
  6. JoshP.
    Mar 26, 2004
    0
    This game totally SUCK!! its so stupid. Who in there right mind would want to be a farmer. And the girls are not even close to being cute. And just in case you haven't noticed...things are spelled wrong!!
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best GameCube Game of 2004
3
#3 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2004
11
#11 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    78
    8 / 7 / 8 / 8 - 31 silver [Vol 183; 16 July 2004]
  2. Eurogamer
    90
    It's a life you'd want to live, and it's a truly refreshing escape from the pressures of reality into an imaginary utopia poised on the edge of an ocean.
    Read full review
  3. Edge Magazine
    80
    Much of the enjoyment comes from the awe and wonder at discovering the simple things in the world. Where previous Harvest Moon titles encouraged workaholic tendencies … the thrill here is in experimentation. [Apr 2004, p.105]
See all critic reviews »