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. Vc33
    May 28, 2023
    9
    Como definir este juego en pocas palabras... Bueno.... ¡Mágico y muy hermoso! Una gran experiencia. 9.5/10
  2. Hdogg
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    The pinnacle of farming/life simulators. Animal Crossing has nothing on this game besides cheeky characters that are visually memorable and a distinct graphical style. This game has way more depth and atmosphere than Animal Crossing. You never run out of things to do in this game and the game is very rewarding. If you couldn't tell I am writing this purely because I am mad at how much theThe pinnacle of farming/life simulators. Animal Crossing has nothing on this game besides cheeky characters that are visually memorable and a distinct graphical style. This game has way more depth and atmosphere than Animal Crossing. You never run out of things to do in this game and the game is very rewarding. If you couldn't tell I am writing this purely because I am mad at how much the new Animal Crossing game sucks compared to this ancient game.… Expand
  3. Namiko
    Oct 3, 2019
    10
    My #1 favorite game of all time. I have played this game off and on since I got it originally in march of 2004. Multiple save files later and I have married every bachelor at least once. Can't wait for the newest game in the series. Where to start... music, bachelors, the child grows up, clothing, the animals? The music is hands down the best of the entire series. The Bachelors are allMy #1 favorite game of all time. I have played this game off and on since I got it originally in march of 2004. Multiple save files later and I have married every bachelor at least once. Can't wait for the newest game in the series. Where to start... music, bachelors, the child grows up, clothing, the animals? The music is hands down the best of the entire series. The Bachelors are all quite different from each other but Gustafa all the way! I love the fact the baby becomes both a child and later a teen. Hope this feature returns in the future. The animals are the most realistic looking and I have a love hate relationship with that but they are still so cute.
    … Expand
  4. TJ_of_Carolina
    Feb 5, 2019
    9
    Good game with interesting choice of spouses. The greatest and most memorable aspect is the fact that your character and the world ages over time, with hair graying and you actually get to see your child grow to be an adult. This is a unique mechanic that should come back in future Story of Seasons games. The seed maker makes the crop farming part easy and caring for animals is fun. TheGood game with interesting choice of spouses. The greatest and most memorable aspect is the fact that your character and the world ages over time, with hair graying and you actually get to see your child grow to be an adult. This is a unique mechanic that should come back in future Story of Seasons games. The seed maker makes the crop farming part easy and caring for animals is fun. The way you interact with your child has an effect on what your child grows to be like… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. MixedKing
    Oct 6, 2015
    9
    This is the best Harvest Moon to me, it's really interesting that one of my favorite games is a farming game. It has story, the characters are interesting and I simply fell in love with it.
  7. evanhasmachines
    Jul 14, 2011
    10
    This game is legitimately one of my favorite games on the Gamecube, ever. For something, that is in it's most simplistic sense, a farm simulator, it never manages to get boring. I plan to buy it soon, for I sold my Gamecube years ago, and enjoy all the farming fun again. Excellent work!
  8. GriffinB.
    Jul 3, 2007
    10
    This is truly a great game. It never gets boring. I like how your child can actually grow, unlike Friends of Mineral Town. Of all the HM games I have played, this was the best by far. Good job, Natsume!
  9. NikkiD.
    Mar 12, 2006
    10
    I love it the people are great!this game is not in any way sexist like one of the voters said.
  10. ClintM.
    Feb 28, 2006
    10
    I like this game because it is just like managing a real life. I like how you can sell things and order stuff in the ledger. I think The ledger could be like ordering things online or when you pick up your money from the dairy shipping bin could be like putting things on e-bay. It`s a realistic game and I like it.
  11. KirstieW.
    Nov 27, 2005
    9
    the game is really cool but...after playing it for awhile its gets pretty boring but if u just go away for a while and then come back and play its not boring anymore.
  12. 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
  13. MelissaB.
    Aug 3, 2005
    9
    I think it was really good! The girls were easy to woo and it was very nice. I liked it but it should have a little more characters and some more festivals! Other than that it was sooo cool!!!!!!!!
  14. ps--ADOREME..
    Jul 22, 2005
    10
    I ink this game is very interesting. it has good graphics and it is very funt o play. i think that connecting the gameboy advance was very interesting as well..it's too bad i don;t got a gamebou advance....i am realy interested how to see the friends of mineral characters...too all those ppls who think this game was not good or fun..WTF!? why bother even PLAYING this sh*t then?! thisI ink this game is very interesting. it has good graphics and it is very funt o play. i think that connecting the gameboy advance was very interesting as well..it's too bad i don;t got a gamebou advance....i am realy interested how to see the friends of mineral characters...too all those ppls who think this game was not good or fun..WTF!? why bother even PLAYING this sh*t then?! this game is awesome..that's allt hat matters and this game bettrer and goes by quicker...X_x… Expand
  15. GabrielN.
    Jul 21, 2005
    10
    Its a really cool game because it never really seems to end, and its really cresative, because you cant just kill anything, and its kinda based on real life (exept for the harvest godess, kappas ect.)
  16. AllieM>
    Jul 20, 2005
    9
    It is a great game but they should make more events and holidays, and you should be able to interact with people more. Also the horse should be brown not orange, but other than that it's wonderful. the dog should be able to have puppies then you could sell them to people in the town that would be cool oh and there should be another farm so you can sell stuff to each other that would It is a great game but they should make more events and holidays, and you should be able to interact with people more. Also the horse should be brown not orange, but other than that it's wonderful. the dog should be able to have puppies then you could sell them to people in the town that would be cool oh and there should be another farm so you can sell stuff to each other that would be great :)… Expand
  17. AndyE.
    Jul 4, 2005
    10
    Everyone that likes farming I suggest this game, it's really cool. By the way, if you want to be a girl, go and buy Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life (For Girl).
  18. MichS.
    Jun 24, 2005
    10
    AAAAHHH! i absolutely luv Harvest moon! im goin on Ebay 2 get the old ones! all hail Natsume! PS: luv the graphics, and the cows kick @$$!
  19. AshleyM.
    Jun 22, 2005
    10
    Awesome! Even though the game has glitches and stuff it's kinda fun just to try and find the glitches. It's a must have game. I'm only on Chapter 2 and I've heard Chapter 3 is terrible. I wish that you could be a girl and not have to wait forever for the girl version but I guess it would have taken the programmers a longer time to add girl stuff. I'm sure it will Awesome! Even though the game has glitches and stuff it's kinda fun just to try and find the glitches. It's a must have game. I'm only on Chapter 2 and I've heard Chapter 3 is terrible. I wish that you could be a girl and not have to wait forever for the girl version but I guess it would have taken the programmers a longer time to add girl stuff. I'm sure it will be worth the wait.… Expand
  20. NUggyF.
    May 29, 2005
    9
    Kewl game.
  21. DanielleJ.
    May 28, 2005
    9
    I really like this game its fun with all the different things happening like lots of surprises the only thing i dont give it credit for is why cant you choose to be a girl or a boy i mean whats the deal with these boys girls can do the same thing.
  22. CarlyK.
    May 27, 2005
    10
    This is such an awesome game! No blood or fighting just good wholesome fun!
  23. NicoleJ.
    May 24, 2005
    10
    The best gc game i have ever played! Nicole
  24. ElmerM.
    May 16, 2005
    9
    A good game but its needs more seeds that are on real life.
  25. KatieP.
    Apr 8, 2005
    10
    omg! I loved this game! it was awesome. but like others had said, it can get pretty boring. but so far, really fun. and the little kid is soooooooo cute. well, Celia's kid. anywho, yea.
  26. Nevermind
    Apr 3, 2005
    10
    This game does rock!You can make goals,you can't expect them to give all of them to you! That makes fun freedom in the game! There is one major goal, to make a great farm!
  27. 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
  28. TravisC.
    Mar 1, 2005
    10
    This game ROCKS! The graphics kick @$$ too.
  29. GyroidM.
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    I really loved this game like the others but i think some of u r giving it to harsh of a coment to realise that u say thoughs thing because u r used to shooting and killing ....
  30. ChaseH.
    Jul 29, 2004
    9
    1 word...AWESOME!
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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 »