Harvest Moon has long been one of the few franchises I’m truly passionate about. When I first heard of it the concept sounded very foreign in the realm of video games. I mean, rather than shooting spaceships, questing to save a kingdom, or fighting opponents tournament style Harvest Moon is instead a video game about farming. Reading that aloud even now still seems silly, but that’s the magic of the medium. What sounds mundane on paper can actually be something that sets the imagination on fire. I’ve played more than ten, but I thought it would be fun to write a list of the top 10 best Harvest Moon games today. I want only to help gamers not acclimated with the series.
I’m a long time fan of the franchise. I’ve played almost every Harvest Moon game across a myriad of platforms. Even Stardew Valley which, while not a game in the franchise, is heavily inspired by it. With that many games there are sure to be a few duds, and believe you me there are. Instead of focusing on the bad I’m going to talk about the good today by outlining what I think are the ten best Harvest Moon games across the entire franchise. It was surprisingly tough figuring out the order for this, but keep in mind the list reflects my opinion alone.
#10. – Harvest Moon GBC 3
Nintendo’s Game Boy line was no stranger to watered down versions of console games. The developers behind the franchise released not one but three bite sized Harvest Moon titles for the portable platform. Unfortunately the first two aren’t really anything to write home about, but the third installment is enjoyable particularly because it’s so different from the rest of the installments. This game is one of the only direct sequels you’ll find; it takes place where the previous Game Boy iteration left off. After restoring the ranch in part two your character is asked to help revive an island community by managing a farm on it.
This installment features a few animals not found in any other game, and was the first domestic release to allow you to play as either a boy or girl. The developers did a great job of working around the limited hardware and this not only feels like a full fledged installment but a really good and unusual one at that.
#9. – Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands
One of the problems Harvest Moon suffered from as time went on is that subsequent releases were too similar to one another. The developers tried to switch things up with Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness but the forced touch screen controls ruined the experience. They took note and expanded upon the original idea with some inventive new concepts. Plus, touch controls are now completely optional!
This is yet another release in the franchise centered around an island, but what really sets it apart are the vast number of options. You have more crops to grow, a completely different cast (including a pop idol of all things) and a main story that’s actually interesting to complete. It sticks to the basic premise, but does a fantastic job of keeping things refreshing with the new concepts.
#8. – Rune Factory Frontier
Okay so this doesn’t have the words ‘Harvest Moon’ in the title but it most certainly belongs in the series. The Rune Factory games are spin-offs from the main franchise that began on the DS, but Marvelous Entertainment eventually decided to release a full fledged console iteration and let me tell you it is truly something special. While the game is an action RPG at heart it comes with the usual Harvest Moon trimmings. You still grow crops, raise animals (or monsters in this case) and can still marry one of the available bachelorettes. The addition of the RPG elements really strike a tone with the generally mundane gameplay of the Harvest Moon formula.
Rune Factory Frontier places on the list because of its deep crafting system and great dungeon designs. Sure, the cast is mostly recycled from the original Rune Factory release but Frontier more than makes up for this with all the new stuff. This is definitely the best Harvest Moon game on the Nintendo Wii. That’s not saying much, I know, but it’s something!
#7. – Harvest Moon DS
I know I’m going to catch flack for this one. Harvest Moon DS was the first game in the franchise released on the dual screened platform, but the transition wasn’t an easy one. Despite the 3D capabilities of the hardware the developers went with only sprites. Add to that a myriad of glitches and you have a release that’s a bit of a mess. Fortunately the good far outweighs the bad here. The game recycles the cast and setting from the PlayStation 2 release Save the Homeland.
Fortunately the developers stuck more closely to the formula in this case; you can marry bachelorettes for example. Speaking of which this release features more of them than almost any other Harvest Moon title. Add to this the fact that if you plug in a copy of Friends of Mineral Town in while playing many characters from that title move over. Maybe I’m just a sucker for it because of how much time I spent with this. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s an amazing title.
#6. – Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
When the Game Boy Advance launched one of the things I was really looking forward to was seeing an original Harvest Moon title for it. I mean, the pick up and play nature is perfect for this genre, and with the more powerful hardware I couldn’t wait to see what original title we would get for it on the go. Initially I was disappointed to see that the developers opted instead to release a watered down version of Back to Nature, but I soon got over this frustration when I played it. The developers put in a ton of work into this version, and it’s actually really cool to see a strictly two dimensional version of Mineral Town.
This retains most of the content of Back to Nature but with less crops and more items to collect. The social system is focused on a bit less here which is actually a good thing, but you can still get married and have kids which is awesome. Despite being basically the same game there’s a specific charm to this release. It’s a toned down version of Back to Nature but I’ll be darned if it doesn’t stand on its own feet as well.
#5. – Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon 2
The original Rune Factory was groundbreaking in the unusual bending of both farming simulation and action RPG, but the sequel is where this spin-off series really hit its stride. It’s more structured around a sweeping and epic story which is done in such a way so as to perfectly blend the Harvest Moon elements right into it. The whole package is surprisingly cohesive, and the main plot doesn’t even kick in until you’re about halfway through; after the main character has been married and has a child. Then the narrative completely shifts in a rather interesting way, and the focus changes from farming to the action RPG side.
This is an amazing game, and one of my favorite action RPGs of all time which says quite a lot about it. Even though it’s a spin-off this is clearly belongs near the top of this list. That’s even despite its strongest points having little to nothing to do with Harvest Moon in the first place.
#4. – Harvest Moon: Back to Nature
Despite being a niche series I remember it being pretty big news when Natsume announced an exclusive Harvest Moon game for the Sony PlayStation console. Previously the franchise was a Nintendo only affair. This is another case where the developers recycled a lot of assets (most of the cast is from Harvest Moon 64) but they completely changed the setting and character roles to keep things fresh. What really sticks out in my mind here is just how many different crops you can grow, and how unusual some of them are (pineapples, anyone?).
The developers also kicked up the in-game festivals a few notches by making them more interactive and interesting than previously; I especially enjoy the tomato fight where you have to time your throws and take cover. It also doesn’t hurt that this game has the best soundtrack of them all. Many fans consider this the best Harvest Moon game regardless of platform.
#3. – Harvest Moon
It should come as no surprise that the original release belongs on this list. It lacks many of the features that the later incarnations added, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Everything is kept super simple here with only a handful of different crops to grow, two different animals to raise (just cows and chickens), and only five bachelorettes to choose from. What makes this game such a joy to play even now is the pure sense of magic and mystery in this world.
It feels like every time I play I discover something new and this is a big part of what keeps bringing me back. Many would consider the simplicity a detriment, but it definitely works in this one’s favor. The original represents the franchise’s concept at its purest, and the first is easily one of the best Harvest Moon games around.
#2. – Harvest Moon: Magical Melody
The sixth video game console generation was where Harvest Moon lost it’s way. Save the Homeland stripped a bunch of features from the formula, and A Wonderful Life was a drastic departure from the traditional franchise fare. To be completely honest I had lost hope, and almost completely passed on Magical Melody when it released. I’m glad I didn’t because this was Harvest Moon on steroids. The graphic designers went with a more cutesy chibi-design for the characters, and while I’m not fond of it it’s easy to overlook.
This game is sort of a ‘greatest hits’ of the franchise. You have returning characters from almost every Harvest Moon game up to this point (along with several new ones) which brought us the biggest cast of characters at the time. Furthermore you are given much more freedom than ever before. You can have multiple homes in a variety of different locations, purchase additional land, and grow an astounding number of different crops. Everything just works here, and this was the last good console iteration. This one might just be the best Harvest Moon game nostalgia aside.
#1. – Harvest Moon 64
Harvest Moon 64 completely caught me by surprise. I expected the franchise to be a one-off to be honest, and I wasn’t following video game news at the time. I literally one day just saw this one on the shelf in the store, and though I picked it up without hesitation I didn’t expect it to live up to the original. Boy was I wrong. Harvest Moon 64 is really the game that made me a hardcore fan of the franchise. Everything about it is on point; it contains my favorite cast of characters, the absolute best setting, enjoyable festivals, and an extremely solid gameplay foundation that builds on that of the original in perfectly valid ways.
The world contained in this cartridge is even more full of wonder and mystery than the original. Even just exploring I often find things I never noticed despite having played this one a hundred times. This was released before the franchise started over-complicating its mechanics and social systems, and that’s why I absolutely love it. If you’re going to play one installment then do yourself a favor and make sure it’s this one because this is the best Harvest Moon game.
Runners up:
Story of Seasons
I know, I know. This one doesn’t have ‘Harvest Moon’ in the title. That doesn’t mean it’s not still an installment. Marvelous and Natsume parted ways and the latter retained the trademark. So now future Harvest Moon games are being released under the Story of Seasons moniker, but there has been no sacrifice in quality. The first Story of Seasons was released for the Nintendo 3DS and has way more options than just about every other Harvest Moon game! It also introduced multiplayer to the franchise which is a feature I’ve been waiting for a very long time. It has all of the old magic of the former franchise with some interesting new twists!
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon 3
This was the second follow up to the widely successful Rune Factory spin-off series. So why didn’t this one place on the list? The answer is simple; it just wasn’t as involving as the second one. Gone is the marriage system. Also removed is the time-skip and emphasis on story. Instead we get an installment that’s more focused on the RPG combat elements than ever before. Now you can transform into a monster to fight your foes. It’s a pretty neat addition to the series. Meanwhile the farming system is as solid as ever. If you have a dusty old DS laying around you certainly can’t go wrong with this one. Especially if you’re having an itch for some good old Rune Factory action.
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns
As I mentioned earlier the Story of Seasons franchise is just what the name has been changed to. This installment is largely more of the same; you raise crops, animals, and try to make as much money as possible as quickly as you can. There’s also marriage and several members of the opposite gender that you can court and eventually wed. The big change here? You now have three different towns to visit! It doesn’t add a lot to the game to be honest, but it’s kind of a nice change up. Each city has their own culture and style, and it’s sort of a neat idea.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
Here’s yet another Bokujou Monogatari under the guise of Story of Seasons, but this one will be a little more familiar for longtime fans. This is actually a modern remake of Friends of Mineral Town, which was a downport of Harvest Moon Back to Nature. Confused yet? Me too. Either way, this is a full blown remake. This means there are a ton of quality of life additions, greatly enhanced graphics, and new content like festivals and events. As I play this one more it will probably claim a spot on the main list.
Doraemon: Story of Seasons
This one is a little strange admittedly. It’s more of a spin-off than a mainline installment. It’s also licensed, and the property used is one of the most iconic and classic in the world of anime. This is Doraemon: Story of Seasons. It plays like a typical game in the franchise but has characters and scenarios from, well, Doraemon. Purists won’t be interested, but if the combination sounds interesting you should check it out. It’s not one of the best Harvest Moon games (or Story of Seasons I should say), but it’s definitely interesting and has lots of charming scenarios.
I’ll be adding more runners up to the list in the future. Stay tuned!
