Harvest Moon: Light of Hope

 Switch
User Score
4.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 37
  3. Negative: 22 out of 37
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. salzidu
    May 30, 2018
    5
    This isn't the "Harvest Moon" people grew up with. The original series from the original developer is now called "Story of Seasons" which is much better.

    Natsume only translated the old games, not developed them but they own the western Name of the Series "Harvest moon" If you want to play the original series wait for a Story of Seasons game for Switch. I fell for it and the game looks    This isn't the "Harvest Moon" people grew up with. The original series from the original developer is now called "Story of Seasons" which is much better.

    Natsume only translated the old games, not developed them but they own the western Name of the Series "Harvest moon" If you want to play the original series wait for a Story of Seasons game for Switch. I fell for it and the game looks really bad.    … Expand
  2. ChaosAzeroth
    Feb 6, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you're looking for something to scratch that nostalgia itch with a new game, Natsume has you covered here. The game is, in their own words, Retro Plus. I find myself agreeing with that, honestly. It's very simple in many ways, but there are new features with their mutation system. If you enjoy farming and raising animals, I feel like this is a good fit. There is socializing, requests, fishing, and even marriage still, but the meat of the game is the farming.

    I really wanted to rate this game 7 or 8, but two things stop me. One is taking away animal skills. If you've played, or just know about how The Lost Valley and Skytree Village worked, you might be surprised to see the lack of skills with animals. Made sense with Seeds of Memories, as while that was a full game it was a cheaper mobile option. ($10 base price, with a few sales bumping it down to half price.) It's fair that game would be lacking some features, but this is a full priced game and has no business, in my opinion at least, having less features than cheaper games in the line.

    Which ties into my second issue, the way DLC was handled. No, it wasn't a huge nickle and dime con job, but it wasn't great. You get less outfits than in Skytree Village, and this time you're paying to be able to get them. In Skytree you got them for free! (Well you had to make them in game, but no DLC purchase needed!) Same for house customizing, but at least the house sets are nice. Marvelous simplified their house stuff first, and that doesn't really help quell the Natsume is ripping off Marvelous rumors to be honest. (Whether or not they're true, it doesn't help at all.) I hated it there, I really don't like it here either. I find the house sets here to be a little more charming though, honestly. I just hate to get less options as it is, and to have to pay for them when you didn't before feels like a bit of a slap to the face.    … Expand
  3. Sarahphim
    May 5, 2020
    7
    This game is fun but lacks a lot of polish and features that is expected for modern gen games. If you love farming games and have beaten Stardew to death, this game can scratch an itch. It's more casual then most HM games and feels more like an upscaled mobile game then a console game. It also recycles assets from prior 3DS games which is jarring if you've played them. The sounds/music isThis game is fun but lacks a lot of polish and features that is expected for modern gen games. If you love farming games and have beaten Stardew to death, this game can scratch an itch. It's more casual then most HM games and feels more like an upscaled mobile game then a console game. It also recycles assets from prior 3DS games which is jarring if you've played them. The sounds/music is terrible so I keep it off. I like the characters and their stories. The male marriage options are very interesting which is great! Typically male marriage candidates are one note and feel like an afterthought. I like the new farming mechanics for new crops in this one. It feels less chores driven. It's easy to progress and make money. The sprites emotions are terrible though, they are like emojis. Spring year 1 is also very boring - like literally put me to sleep - but once I slogged through the first few weeks and opened up more of the town I started having fun and enjoying the chill atmosphere. Overall has an fun, chill, but unpolished and not modern feel.… Expand
  4. Ntkyk
    Oct 11, 2022
    6
    it doesn't have as much charm as the previous games but it's still a kind of solid farming sim

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Switch Player
    Sep 24, 2018
    60
    Slow-paced, full of grinding and quite ugly, this Harvest Moon isn't for everyone. If you enjoy the genre you'll get something, but others won't have the patience.
    Read full review
  2. Nintenderos
    Aug 15, 2018
    70
    Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Special Edition takes the famous and veteran saga to the new Nintendo system. This delivery manages to maintain the basics of the saga even when it is not made by the same developer as always, although we must point out that it falters in several aspects and above all, does not include much innovation compared to its predecessors.
    Read full review
  3. Jeuxvideo.com
    Aug 12, 2018
    55
    There’s nothing really new or interesting in Harvest Moon: Light of Hope. Even if it’s still the same chill, low-pace game, it’s technically outdated, and too far from Story of Seasons and Stardew Valley’s richness.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »