Harvest Moon
Reviewed by Beau Whitehead
Harvest Moon was introduced very late in the Super NES's lifespan, releasing
in 1997 and you can tell why they needed that extra time. This is one of
the largest, funniest, addictive, difficult and repayable games of the
century, which is no wonder that it received a Nintendo Power Choice
Award. Now, lots of people may think that this is the most boring thing
ever, no evil monsters, no damzel in distress and no championship racing
compared to a hard working farmer seems like Mc Donald's to a piece of
doggy business on the sidewalk, but the case Harvest Moon is the Macca's
of game play. Watering, planting, feeding, loving, collecting and selling are
just a few things that will occur in this game, and will blow you away
visually, musically and enjoyably. This game inspired more of the Harvest
Moon series to be made on almost every other major console but the original
seems to stand out in front (don't get me wrong, the others are awesome too).
Anyone who's played the game should agree with me and if they don't they
should be hung, but read on, farmers...
Graphics: 8.5 out of 10
The Harvest Moon visuals are quite crisp and alive, with nice bright palette
colors but just as you would expect from an average Super NES game. Although
one problem is because of the farming genre no special effects or magical
spells will occur, which makes it very dull which is why I would of only gave
it a 7. But to make up for this is the stunning changes of weather, season,
time and events. Like at the mountain in autumn, everything has an orange
tone with leaves everywhere and the trees shaking, where as in winter
the whole mountain is covered in white snow and ridded leaves. This is well
put together and well sweeps back the faults under the welcome mat even
though it is probably the worst aspect of the game.
Music and Sound: 9 out of 10
There aren't to many soundtracks, about 7 or 8 in the game but they
play throughout the different situations and seasons as addictive as
that opening tune off Revolt (la la la la, la la de da da, oh sorry) not
all of them are good but some are annoying that pop up but in occurrence
with the game so its barely noticed. Music is pretty good, overall, but
there is a bit of a problem with the sound that is mainly the same beep
sound that he picks up with and the beep sound when he throws (it'd also
be good to hear some clucks and moos from the livestock). The text 'taps'
in each letter make your spine tingle at first, but then blends in with rest
of the fabulous game play. The thing that stands out most in sound is when
you use the tools, like the watering can sounds like someone taking a leak,
the sickle (kind of a mini axe) sounds like a murderer slashing someone and
the axe makes clunks against the big stumps.
Game Challenge: 10 out of 10
This is hard as, with so many things to do and make and do and... do. You
wouldn't imagine with how much pressure pours on you on your first day
after seeing how hopeless you are compared to the demo. First you're
running off to buy some crop seeds then clearing the land to make room,
and then getting flowers for your wife everyday all before the shops close
at 5pm. Thus later on, you're planting grass for livestock whilst feeding
and paying attention to them and chopping wood to increase the size of
your house and farm. But if you think of it the easy way, you might just
live a bachelor life, don't even buy livestock or nothing and just act as a
tourist for the whole 2 and a 1/2 years. So really, it depends on what
you want, if you want a real challenge or the life of a beginner or just
the sights and sounds of being a tourist.
Game Play-Fun: 10 out of 10
This is really fun, doing all the farming jobs, earning money and all
the such 'n' such but this is the part that will make you want to play,
I mean you wouldn't want a game that's not fun. Not much else new to
describe here, because play the game and you'll see.
Frustration
Some frustrating parts is when you're trying to do something before
5 o'clock, when you just miss on the time then there's winter which
you basically can't do anything except for exploring and gathering as
no crops or grass grow.
Controls: 9 out of 10
The controls in Harvest Moon work great except for one thing I don't like.
B allows you to dash, cancel and jump over fences - A is the main button
that selects, talks, throws and other actions - Y uses the currently
selected tool, and this is the part I hate - X changes between the two tools
you can hold but if you can hold two, Y should be tool 1 and X should be tool
2. L & R whistle for your dog and horse but you can't pause the game. Very
good controls.
Overall: 9.8 out of 10
This is one of the best games I've played and is a must buy for Super owners.
This game is to good!