Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

 Switch
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 6 out of 33
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  1. luxu29
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a faithful remake from Gamecube and PS2. So, if you're a fan of the OG. This is for you. Nostalgic feels and feeling a kid again while playing the remake.

    I hope they'll add more dlcs like bachelors/bachelorettes from DS ver. I want Skye and Keira huhu    … Expand
  2. JamesC1992
    Jun 28, 2023
    9
    This was my childhood game growing up and I’m giving it a 9/10. The 9 is because we can finally have same-sex marriage in A Wonderful Life. Something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. I’m so happy the developers also allowed pronouns aswell. The only reason it’s not a 10 is because they did change some characters names and their appearance. Don’t let the negative scoreThis was my childhood game growing up and I’m giving it a 9/10. The 9 is because we can finally have same-sex marriage in A Wonderful Life. Something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. I’m so happy the developers also allowed pronouns aswell. The only reason it’s not a 10 is because they did change some characters names and their appearance. Don’t let the negative score underneath keep you from enjoying this beautiful remake… Expand
  3. Ganjhime
    Jun 30, 2023
    10
    Beautiful game and true to the original with updates features and graphics. Very cozy, slow paced game perfect for relaxing. If you enjoyed the original then this is the game for you!
  4. ikrafil
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    You know it’s a great game when bigoted and hateful people are review bombing the game for being inclusive. Thank you XSEED & Marvelous!

    The game still has the same charm it had when it was first released all those years ago - except they’re enhanced even more. Great, great game for those who want to either feel nostalgic or just play a nice, cozy and beautiful game!
  5. inwethegreat
    Jun 30, 2023
    10
    What a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane. I absolutely adore this game. They have stayed true to the original game while also adding some fresh new fun. I appreciate the realism in this title in regards to animal husbandry. If you want fertilized eggs for your incubator you need both a hen and a rooster. If you want a calf you must also own a bill or hire one for the job. I also want toWhat a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane. I absolutely adore this game. They have stayed true to the original game while also adding some fresh new fun. I appreciate the realism in this title in regards to animal husbandry. If you want fertilized eggs for your incubator you need both a hen and a rooster. If you want a calf you must also own a bill or hire one for the job. I also want to brag on this being the only farming game (that I know of) that lets you and your town age. I love watching my child grow up and develop interests of their own. This is a great relaxing game for new fans to the series and for veterans as well.… Expand
  6. SmashGenesis
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    Absolutely love that I can use they/them pronouns. I wish this was the kind of thing they had as an option when I was kid. This is a cutesy, inclusive farm sim with reasonably pretty graphics, a relaxing soundtrack, and quirky, fun characters.
  7. Nabman11
    Jul 12, 2023
    9
    Judging this game purely based on the improvements over the original, it's a 10/10, but there are things that this version carried over that should've been reworked or given an option for. While the shorter seasons are unique and fun, an option to have longer seasons for higher profits with the caveat of slower story progression. Plus, I've noticed a few bugs and glitches that weren'tJudging this game purely based on the improvements over the original, it's a 10/10, but there are things that this version carried over that should've been reworked or given an option for. While the shorter seasons are unique and fun, an option to have longer seasons for higher profits with the caveat of slower story progression. Plus, I've noticed a few bugs and glitches that weren't caught during play testing, like the player character's hands not being connected to the puppy when picking it up. Back to the positive, while the character creator is basic, it does have options that should greatly delight terminally online Twitter users (blue hair and they/them pronouns). Some may find the previously mentioned point and the addition of homosexual marriage to be a negative, the most successful farming sim started this trend over 7 years ago. The graphics are top notch despite noticeable pop-in. The character/animal models and textures make me wonder if Marvelous made a deal with the devil to get this running on Switch hardware. The character writing is amazing, despite one bit where the old couple both said identical phrases apart from a single world. There's a great amount of dialogue and you'll have to play for hours to find a repeated line outside of general formalities. The trope of a batchelorette in one of the northernmost dwelling being stupidly easy to marry (eg Renee ToT, Nina SNES, Marie FoMT) is present and accounted for and this wouldn't be a Marvelous developed game without it. The music, while being the weakest in the series in my opinion, is still good and fits the atmosphere to a tee. While having similar overall themes and tropes to other Story of Seasons/Harvest Moon titles, this game is a different beast and is a breath of fresh air from the usual stupidly optimized min/maxing the series is otherwise known for. Taking all that into account, I'd give this an 8/10, but if you were paying attention you'd be confused. Fear not, for this game has a tomboy, giving it a guaranteed bonus point, rounding the final rating at 9/10.… Expand
  8. Starfree
    Jul 1, 2023
    5
    This is a remake of one of my favorite games, and for the most part it does a decent job of recapturing the old game. But there are some strange and downright stupid changes. From pointless name changes, to stubble and not so stubble politicalizations, to the worst character creation I have ever seen. You are forced to lock in your eye shape and color before you even choose your gender.This is a remake of one of my favorite games, and for the most part it does a decent job of recapturing the old game. But there are some strange and downright stupid changes. From pointless name changes, to stubble and not so stubble politicalizations, to the worst character creation I have ever seen. You are forced to lock in your eye shape and color before you even choose your gender. And all of them look horrible expect for the default options. The entire replacement of an old character with a bland and boring replacement. Removal of a lot of dialogue. It’s a great game that I would recommend to old harvest moon fans and farming sim fans but I can’t help but feel like an upgraded port would have been better then this remaster. If you can play the original, play that instead.… Expand
  9. jcasualmente
    Jul 19, 2023
    9
    To sum it all up: Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life for Nintendo Switch is a nostalgic throwback to farm life in the early 2000s. The game has aged like wine, providing a relaxing and immersive experience. The minigames are fun on their own, and the possibility of getting married quickly brings a special touch. The relationship with the characters and changes over time are charmingTo sum it all up: Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life for Nintendo Switch is a nostalgic throwback to farm life in the early 2000s. The game has aged like wine, providing a relaxing and immersive experience. The minigames are fun on their own, and the possibility of getting married quickly brings a special touch. The relationship with the characters and changes over time are charming details. However, the exorbitant prices for farm improvements can be an obstacle to progress. Overall, A Wonderful Life will delight you and, perhaps, make you cry with the deep experience it delivers by the end of the game.… Expand
  10. Fullkorn
    Jul 1, 2023
    9
    It is a very faithful remake. Some characters have different designs which have to grow on you with time. Textures and level of detail are sometimes a little bit rough. 30 FPS is perfectly fine on switch, it never stutters. I think this is a good way for old fans to replay the game. I am not super sure about new players though as they might be disappointed. Nevertheless, I am having aIt is a very faithful remake. Some characters have different designs which have to grow on you with time. Textures and level of detail are sometimes a little bit rough. 30 FPS is perfectly fine on switch, it never stutters. I think this is a good way for old fans to replay the game. I am not super sure about new players though as they might be disappointed. Nevertheless, I am having a great time with it.… Expand
  11. thehexgames
    Jul 14, 2023
    9
    Very nostalgic for me. I loved the Gamecube version as a kid and I'm glad they were able to give it an update while staying true to the original. If you've only played more modern farming sims, then this might be a bit slow for your pacing. But as someone who's been playing the series for decades, it hit the spot.
  12. Undeadbobop
    Jul 26, 2023
    10
    This game deserves far better scores I can not even begin to state what a master peice the orignal was and the added same-sex marriage and non-binary options are only the cherry on top. I looked over the reviews that are negative, they are not worth reading and they do not belong on this site as they go into hate-speech and claim my existence is politics, they are all extremist biggots whoThis game deserves far better scores I can not even begin to state what a master peice the orignal was and the added same-sex marriage and non-binary options are only the cherry on top. I looked over the reviews that are negative, they are not worth reading and they do not belong on this site as they go into hate-speech and claim my existence is politics, they are all extremist biggots who would kill me and others like me if given the chance and use their religion and politics to justify it. I am pan and non-binary. I found the representation to be accurate, a slight alteration on the source material in some parts such as character names, designs, and a slight altering of morning after clear depiction of after sex in the source material was not here, a lot of small translation fixes as the original port studio did a poor job of translating in the original and there was a lot of engrish. This game left me with dysphoria in the best of ways. I would happily recommend this game over the original as it has improved in literally every way with the small changes they did make and the original was a masterpiece in itself. The original every farm/date sim tried to capture the lightening from again after and all of them even future Story of Seasons/Harvest moon games just well couldn't for me. This was the best remake of a game I have ever seen and I love it. When I heard it was out I threw Friendship of mineral town out of my switch, rushed to the store and bought it while on vacation miles appart from any store. If you want to talk about politics I would love to talk about how in friendship of mineral town pushes so hard on the church. Keep your religion to yourselves I have cookies. In all seriousness friendship of mineral town tried shoving that church down your throats by requiring you to interact with it, in this game you are not required to be non-binary, you are not required to have same-sex marriage, and none of the characters in the main cast are. I do wish one of them was non-binary but I can understand why they didn't take this route. I am allowing my children to play this game after I am done with it. The only scenes censored in it involved after sex scene, so if that is your complaint and your complaint is also about you thinking its a kids game, then those two things don't make any sense.… Expand
  13. StellaHarvest
    Jun 29, 2023
    0
    a dire mockery of what this game used to stand for.

    Nobody should have to be forced to experience the is price of rubbish vapor ware.
  14. PileUber
    Jun 29, 2023
    0
    We were scammed again, why are all farming games bad now? We should not have politics forced down our throat.
  15. Awkylold
    Jul 4, 2023
    4
    While the game improved in many ways such as new events, crops, and animals, it came with a cost.
    This more of a watered down version of the original game. It makes it less of a challenge if none of your animals can die and that you don't even have to feed them. I get that the gameplay was changed to be easier on new players, but this was a core mechanic in the original. At least give an    While the game improved in many ways such as new events, crops, and animals, it came with a cost.
    This more of a watered down version of the original game. It makes it less of a challenge if none of your animals can die and that you don't even have to feed them. I get that the gameplay was changed to be easier on new players, but this was a core mechanic in the original. At least give an option to change it back with a difficulty.
    If you're a casual gamer, you might be fine. But play the original Gamecube version if you can.    … Expand
  16. Angryparent
    Jun 29, 2023
    0
    I let my kid play this game because I played the original in my youth. I was very disappointed when I saw the final product. I was told I wasn’t allowed to return it (which should be illegal because this is clearly false advertising) so I deleted it from the console and will never give them another penny.
  17. adrenilinmatt
    Aug 7, 2023
    0
    Yet another game RUINED by forced, extreme, insufferable politics. This game teaches children that mental health disorders are something to be celebrated and enjoyed. NO. As soon as i saw the content this game has been infected with, i wrenched the console out of my child's hands and removed the game and anything to do with it permanently. DO NOT allow your children to have their mindsYet another game RUINED by forced, extreme, insufferable politics. This game teaches children that mental health disorders are something to be celebrated and enjoyed. NO. As soon as i saw the content this game has been infected with, i wrenched the console out of my child's hands and removed the game and anything to do with it permanently. DO NOT allow your children to have their minds poisoned by this delusional nonsense. And don't support game developers that shoehorn this kind of false, dangerous narrative into our media. This is supposed to be q game for children. I wouldn't let my children touch this remake with a 30 ft babe pole. I won't have their minds poisoned by this drivel. DON'T BUY THIS GAME FOR CHILDREN. IT'S DANGEROUS BRAINWASHING DESIGNED TO IMPLANT A SPECIFIC POLITICAL NARRATIVE INTO YOUNG , VULNERABLE MINDS. absolutely repulsive.

    My children are lucky to have me and my husband too tell them that what they saw in this game is not real and is a misunderstanding on people with very poor mental health. If you bought this for your kids, you're responsible for doing the same for your own kids. Explain the reality to them before their minds are poisoned forever.

    0/10 another great franchise ruined by modern insanity.    … Expand
  18. ScreenS
    Sep 1, 2023
    0
    What makes a good remake? If someone Knows please contact Marvelous, because none of those elements can be found here. In fact what we do have is the strongest contender for worst game ever made since Life is Strange 2.

    Wonderful Life has 3 major problems. 1. Source material is so heavily censored and edited it’s unrecognizable: all of the charm and characterization from the original    What makes a good remake? If someone Knows please contact Marvelous, because none of those elements can be found here. In fact what we do have is the strongest contender for worst game ever made since Life is Strange 2.

    Wonderful Life has 3 major problems.

    1. Source material is so heavily censored and edited it’s unrecognizable: all of the charm and characterization from the original has been stripped away and left with a husk that even diehard HM/SoS fans won’t recognize.

    2. Gameplay hasn’t been updated and in fact feels worse than the original: This is the exact opposite of what a good remake is supposed to do. A good remake is supposed to make it recapture the feeling of playing the original whilst lowering the barrier to entry old games often have. This game feels like it released the same day as the original with how it plays, not released in 2023.

    3. Rampant political extremism: This has been an issue with every SoS remake, but it’s pushed to the limit here since you still have a family no matter how bad your life decisions are. This game being marketed towards children is both disgusting and a violation of FCC regulations. Nintendo should be ashamed they let this drivel into their store.

    TL;DR while the worst game ever made will always be hotly debated, this game is objectively the most insulting game ever made.    … Expand
  19. Ikrus
    Aug 23, 2023
    10
    Great game with great additions, such as making it more inclusive for queer and non binary people. It doesn't take away from other groups and just makes it more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone!
  20. Beast9ty2
    Aug 21, 2023
    9
    A gem of my childhood, which is very cozy to play and creates nostalgic feelings. It's not perfect, because there were only small improvements and you can feel that the original is a bit old, but for some players like me this is the point that makes the game charming. I also really enjoyed that, compared to other parts of the series, the focus here is more on family life, animals andA gem of my childhood, which is very cozy to play and creates nostalgic feelings. It's not perfect, because there were only small improvements and you can feel that the original is a bit old, but for some players like me this is the point that makes the game charming. I also really enjoyed that, compared to other parts of the series, the focus here is more on family life, animals and growing crops, and less on gathering materials and crafting. For these reasons, a wonderful Life was always my favorite part of the series.… Expand
  21. Marie816
    Sep 1, 2023
    8
    I remember playing this game on the game cube and loving it. Im very pleased how it turned out. I like the updated looks are cute and though I wish the animals looked the same as they were before, they are cute.

    I also love the option of picking your pronouns and being able to marry character no matter what gender they are. Playing this game as a child, I always wished I could play it as    I remember playing this game on the game cube and loving it. Im very pleased how it turned out. I like the updated looks are cute and though I wish the animals looked the same as they were before, they are cute.

    I also love the option of picking your pronouns and being able to marry character no matter what gender they are. Playing this game as a child, I always wished I could play it as a girl in Romance the other girls. Being able to customize and choose how I looked and represent myself in this game I loved as a child has felt good.

    The only gripe I have is that mistreating your animals do no not result in any negative outcome. Only the quality of the product they produce.

    Im also really glad they aged up a certain character cause trying to romance a child. It was super weird and awkward when in certain versions of this game you could Romance a child.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Player 2
    Sep 30, 2023
    75
    Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life brings some welcome modernisation to an old classic, while at times sticking a little too closely to its roots.
    Read full review
  2. Games.cz
    Aug 21, 2023
    70
    A stark reminder of the fact that this genre has been standing still for the last 20 years. Are you tired of all the Animal Crossings and Stardew Valleys? You’re not going to find anything new here. Otherwise, welcome to the farm!
    Read full review
  3. GamesBeat
    Jul 20, 2023
    60
    I think any gamers who want a farming sim with less grind and hustle will enjoy Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. It trims a lot of the fat that has become common in the genre. You’re not a warrior or a spelunker or a craftsman. You’re simply a farmer trying to live a quiet life and make your way with the resources you have. If you played the original and loved it, you’ll definitely enjoy the remake because it’s almost the same game but prettier. However, if you’re more used to modern farming sims and want one that will give you more to do on a daily basis, AWL might be too simplistic for you. There’s just not a lot happening in Forgotten Valley. Regardless of your preference, the in-game marriage being pushed within the very first chapter felt way too rushed and forced. If you were hoping to have fun, interesting characters to spend your in-game life with, you’ll again likely be disappointed.
    Read full review
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