Harvest Moon 64
Reviewed by Kyle Chevalier
Natsume, makers of games such as Flying Dragon and Legend of the
River King, bring you the quirky little RPG called Harvest Moon 64.
Harvest moon isn't your traditional, Text Based, RPG, however. There
is no magic and no fighting at all. You may be wondering what kind of
RPG this is then. One Word: Farming! I know what your thinking, "Why
would I want to play a farming game?" I also thought this at first.
Then I played Harvest moon for the SNES. I got addicted, so when
Harvest Moon 64 came out I bought it. Although You are a farmer that
is not all you can do. You can try to flirt and buy your way into a girls
heart and participate in contests. You can buy things for your house and
get married. You can have a baby, have some chickens, or just have fun.
This game is a surprising blend of odd fun, and serious strategy.
Graphics: 8 out of 10
The graphics are excellent! They are realistic you can go through walls
etc. like you can do in some of the other games for the N64. The graphics
aren't blocky like Mario 64. Unfortunately, The graphics seem to be 32 bit
or something like that. They are kind of cartoonish. It seems to have the
old 16 bit mixed with the 64 bit qualities.
Music and Sound: 7 out of 10
The music is well above average. It does well with the farm theme. It
can get annoying after a while, however, especially if you go through
a month in the game at once. The sound effects are a different story.
They are truly a masterpiece. If you go into the woods and you see an
animal, you hear the call of that animal. You don't hear the humans make
any noises, the sound effects for the different tools are magnificent.
You can actually hear your character throwing a rock into a pond.
Game Challenge: 10 out of 10
This game is quite easy and is only as much of a challenge as you make
it. Anybody can beat the game easily if all they do is go to the woods
and gather or just plant seeds, but that is only half the fun. If you try
to get married, expand your house, have a greenhouse, have a baby, win
both the dog and horse race, win the swim contest, and do everything
else it is truly hard. If you haven't played the game and I spoiled the fun,
you are wrong. There is much much more to do. So the challenge is 1 out
of 10 if you just plant and water, plant and water, on and on and on.
10 out of 10 If you try to do everything.
Game Play-Fun: 8 out of 10
This game is a lot of fun. You can fish, talk, farm, take care of animals,
and so much more. The festivals are fun, and the assortment of characters
are fun. Again, you'll have more fun if you do more. The more you do, the
more the fun. In the winter you can mine, and you can always hike in the
woods and get items from the wild. Unfortunately, it can be sickening.
Between festivals, during the summer especially, I pick, water, feed
(The animals), collect (eggs milk, and wool), give gift (girl I like), gather,
sleep. After about 5 days this can get boring. I suggest playing 3 days at
a time during times like that.
Replayability: 7 out of 10
This game would be great to play over and over again, except it can get
boring after a long time. I played for 2 years (in the game) and then I quit
for a couple of months (real time). I went back and I loved it again. So
although the game will get sickening, you will want to play it after a while.
Game Value: 7 out of 10
I suggest renting it first. Even the most hardcore gamers like Harvest
Moon 64, and it is actually good for a variety of audiences, from strategy,
Shoot em ups, and the good ol' Final Fantasy Folk. If you rent it and like it,
buy it at once. I waited and couldn't find it anywhere. Try your local used
game store and check in monthly if they don't have it. My local is Funcoland
and they helped me out in getting one.
Side Tracks: 10 out of 10
There is so much extra to do in Harvest Moon 64. I call these type of things
side tracks. They don't have to do directly with the game, yet they are fun
to do. Such side tracks for Harvest Moon 64 are: Winning horse and dog
contests, expanding your house, planting flowers, getting recipes, and
many many more.
Overall: 8 out of 10
Overall this is a good game found in an unexpected place. It is addicting
and fun, and a something everyone should try once. It has good sound
effects and good graphics as well as a pretty good storyline. The downside
is it can get both boring and sickening and it isn't for everybody.