Switch Funday - Harvest Moon - My Second Time – It Went Much Better

Welcome to Switch Funday!

Last week i played Harvest Moon for the first time, https://youtu.be/De1aItAfPFk, and it didn't go well. This week i tried it again, having learnt from my mistakes in the hope of making progress and having a better experience. To be honest, that didn't really happen.

By about 20 or 30 minutes into the second video, i had already gotten further than i did in the previous video. but in terms of story, i don't feel like i made any extra progress. i did have a greater understanding of the mechanics, i explored a new area and learnt more about building extensions, and i finally managed to harvest grass. But even after an hour, i still didn't have enough grass for animals, and in some respects my farm was beginning to look worse than when i arrived. i had noticed that the wooden walls around the farm had begun to deteriorate. 

So whilst this attempt at playing Harvest Moon did go better than my first attempt, and i'm happy things went better the second time round. i'm also disappointed that nothing really came of it. i'm starting to think that it's more the game's fault than mine. that maybe the game has a really slow start. i get the feeling that the game is wide open and is expecting us to go and explore rather than offer guidance.

Switch Funday - Harvest Moon - My First Time - It Didn't Go Well

Welcome to Switch Funday!

Many games that i've played for the first time in this series have mostly gone fine. I've not been that good at them, but they've always gone better than what happened with Harvest Moon. in nearly all the videos i've said something along the lines that the manual would have helped. But i think that wouldn't have helped here. as you'll see, i get stuck in the main town area for over 17 minutes as i couldn't find the one person to talk to.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing i didn't understand. it's possible that had i watched the full How to Play video i would've understood what to do. But i hadn't so i made many more mistakes. for example, i didn't plough enough soil so sowing grass seeds didn't go right. the same for turnip seeds. this meant that i was stuck for money. out of the three turnips i actually managed to grow, i broke 2, so i was only left with 1 to sell. thankfully, that meant i had just enough money to buy some more turnip seeds. by this point i had ploughed more soil so when i sowed them, i finally realised what i was meant to do.

Ultimately, this game doesn't tell you anything as a tutorial. the town's people offer advice and heavily suggest what to do. But as it's my first time playing the game, there was no context for it. by playing it, and mostly stumbling along inefficiently, i've now learned how to start the game and how it should be played. Harvest Moon on the SNES is like the Dark Souls of this farm simulation game style, as the world offer hints as to what to do, but only by failing do you truly work it out for yourself.

Unlike Dark Souls, i didn't come away from the game thinking too favorably of the past hour i spent with it. to be honest, it almost feels like a waste of my time. there are other little things about the game i wasn't enjoying, like what was the point of the dog. i can't pet it, it does nothing inside the house, and seems to do nothing outside. i put the mole/rodent thing next to it and nothing happened. what am i supposed to do about that, too!?

At the end of the video i kinda think out loud that i may give it another go now i understand what should happen. i feel like i could condense the hour plus i spent with it to less than 30 minutes and then maybe the game will open up a bit more. i may do that but i can't guarantee when.

Rising Star Games Have Released A English Trailer And Screenshots For Hometown Story

Rising Star Games have released a new English trailer and screenshots for the upcoming 3DS game Hometown Story.



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Natsume Announce Mystic Chronicles Comes To PSP And PS VIta On 16th July For $14.99

Natsume have announced Kemco's PSP game, which is playable on the PS Vita, Mystic Chronicles has a USA release date. the game will be released on the PSN for $14.99 on 16th July. Mystic Chronicles is a retro 16-bit RPG that follows the story of Lux, could his world be turned upside down and have him saving the world? Mystic Chronicles features a Guardian Beast system which has you pairing a godlike beast to each character and then setting their AI.

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Press Release

Natsume Announce The Opening Of A New Office In Tokyo, Will be Headed By Yasutaka Maekawa

Natsume have announced they have opened a new office in Tokyo. this new office will be headed by Yasutaka Maekawa who worked previously at Taito. it appears this expansion will help grow Natsume into the smartphone and tablet games market. Natsume say that Yasutaka Maekawa will also be working on creating new games as well as heading up the office.

Press Release

Natsume Reveal Project Happiness Is Hometown Story, Out This Year On 3DS

Natsume have revealed Project Happiness from TOYBOX is Hometown Story and it is set to come out this year on mobile platforms and 3DS worldwide. Hometown Story is similar to Harvest Moon games in that it has a mix of adventure, discovery and its aimed at not just a young audience but all ages. the trailer shows the game in action where you take control of a shop, go fishing and interact with other locals. more about Hometown Story will be revealed at this years E3.



Press Release

Natsume Announce They Are Bringing Kemco's PSP Game Mystic Chronicles To The USA This Summer

Natsume have announced they are bringing Mystic Chronicles to the USA. this PSP game from Kemco has only come out in Japan so far but now it will come this summer to the USA. described as a Cult Classic in Japan, Mystic Chronicles features retro style graphics, a turn based battle system and story driven quests. a feature of the game is the Guardian Beast System, where each character can be assigned a mystic beast that has Offensive, Defensive or healing abilities.

The main character is called Lux. he was adopted by a small village and he had begun to train to join the Guardians Guild, but a chance meeting with a young girl sets in motion a series of events that could have Lux even saving the world.

I have found a Japanese promotional video for the game that was used on the Japanese PlayStation Blog. it shows gameplay and appears to have game music playing as well.



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Press Release

Natsume Have Released New Screenshots For Harvest Moon: A New Beginning On The 3DS

Natsume have released some launch screenshots for their recently released Nintendo 3DS game Harvest Moon: A New Beginning. the game takes place in Echo village, a place where the locals are moving away so it's up to you to make the town appealing again and bring them back. a new feature for the series in A New Beginning is the ability to customise your character. this isn't just limited to superficial factors as you are able to dress them up how you want as well.

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Press Release

Rising Star Games, Natsume, And TOYBOX Announce Project Happiness, New IP Coming Out Worldwide

Rising Star Games have announced they are joining TOYBOX and Natsume in partnership to bring Project Happiness out across the EU. details are light at present, the project will be fully revealed at E3. the game is being developed by Yasuhiro Wada, the "father of Harvest Moon" and his new studio TOYBOX. Rising Star Games is brining the game out across the EU whilst Natsume will bring it out Across the USA.

Yasuhiro Wada had this to say about his upcoming game:
“Project Happiness is an IP that is very close to my heart, and stems from years of working on other great titles like the Harvest Moon series,” said Yasuhiro Wada, CEO of TOYBOX. “Project Happiness is not only meant to be a fun game experience, but I also want it to help expand the player's view of the world, and make them ponder what their life means to them. From the very beginning of the idea of this product, we knew that to help bring its true vision to light, we wanted to partner with quality publishers who share our values like Natsume and Rising Star Games."

Press Release

Natsume Announce They Are Bringing Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny To The USA On Wii And PS3

Natsume have announced Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny is coming out in the USA on both the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3. Coming this year, Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny combines the gameplay of Harvest Moon with an Action RPG. the story focuses on the characters Aden and Sonja and the island they live on called Fenith. they awaken to find their souls in one body and the Fenith they knew changed. they set out to solve this mystery and save their island. The Picture below shows Ymir, a Golen they will get to control.

Press Release

Burlingame, CA.-, May 17, 2011 - Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny sets sail later this year on both the PlayStation®3 and Nintendo WiiT. Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny is the first game in the Rune Factory series to come to the PlayStation®3. Rune Factory combines the addictive and rewarding gameplay of Harvest Moon with the thrill and pacing of an action-RPG, providing RPG lovers and Harvest Moon fans with an exciting combination of both worlds.

"We know our loyal fans have been patiently awaiting news of a North American release for Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny, so we are thrilled to announce that the latest entry in the fan-favorite series is on its way. Better still, this entry is coming to both the WiiT and PlayStation®3," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. "Featuring a vast region to explore, a wonderful cast of characters, and a huge variety of activities to enjoy, Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny is sure to make waves!"

Aden and Sonja, two lifelong friends, live a tranquil life on Fenith Island until they're struck by a mysterious curse: they awaken to find both of their souls are now trapped in the same body! On top of this unusual calamity, the Fenith they knew is gone, replaced by a strange island populated with unfamiliar faces. Only by exploring this new world will they be able to solve the mystery of this curse and save their beloved Island.

During the course of their journey, Aden and Sonja will be aided by a colorful cast of characters, as well as take command of the towering golem Ymir. Using their newfound giant friend, they'll cross vast seas, discover hidden islands and dungeons packed with riches, and battle fearsome monsters of the deep!

Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny will make its first public appearance at next month's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles and will ship to retailers later this year. For more information on Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny for PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, please visit www.natsume.com. You can also follow all of the latest Natsume news at www.natsume.com/facebook, www.twitter.com/natsume_inc., and see the latest game footage at http://www.youtube.com/user/NatsumeUSA.

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About Natsume
Natsume Inc. is a worldwide developer and publisher that specializes in unique and family-oriented interactive entertainment software for a variety of platforms. Most known for publishing Reel Fishing and Harvest Moon, Natsume is dedicated to producing quality video games.

Funbox Media Announce They Are Bringing Natsume's Adventures To Go! To The UK

Funbox Media have announced they are brining Adventures To Go to the UK. no release date has been provided, but it would be fair to guess that its coming soon. the game was developed by Natsume and is set to be a budget title, £19.99. Adventures To Go is a RPG with a grid based battle system. there are several characters, each with their own abilities and spells.

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Source: Funbox Media

Press Release

8th April 2011 Sheffield UK – Funbox Media announces Adventures to Go for PSP

Word on the cobblestone is that the king needs new heroes to keep his kingdom safe, but are Finn Courtland and his band of misfits really what His Majesty has in mind?

Take on tasks and do battle with monsters at Adventures To Go. Here, exciting things are made to order!

Strategic grid based battle challenges will have you using your brain as well as your brawn.
Control a diverse team of characters, all with umique spells and abilities.
Massive variety of spells, weapons and monsters.

ADVENTURE SERVED YOUR WAY!

Natsume Announce Harvest Moon: The Tale Of Two Towns For The Nintendo DS And Nintendo 3DS

Natsume announce they are brining Harvest Moon: The Tale Of Two Towns to both the DS and 3DS to the USA Simultaneously. the story of the game is there were 2 villages who got on well. a dispute erupted over who cooked the better food. you play as a farmer new to the area and get to choose which village you are a part of, either Eastern-styled Konohana with its abundant fields of crops, or the animal-loving, European-styled Bluebell. the aim is to bring both of the villages back together.

Press Release

Burlingame, CA., April 7, 2011 - Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns is coming to North America, and will be released simultaneously on both the Nintendo DS and the 3DS.

"We're extremely excited to be bringing The Tale of Two Towns to these two great platforms," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume.
"We wanted to ensure that all of our loyal Harvest Moon fans would have a chance to play this game. No matter which version they pick up, they're sure to love the great new cast of characters, the fun festivals, and the exciting new gameplay mechanics."

Konohana and Bluebell villages were once the friendliest of neighbors.
Then a huge dispute erupted between them.over FOOD! Both towns were certain that their cooking was the best in the world. This feud has transformed these happy neighbors into bitter rivals.

As a new farmer to the area, players choose which village to live in.
Will it be Eastern-styled Konohana with its abundant fields of crops, or the animal-loving, European-styled Bluebell? Players will pick a home, build a thriving farm, and compete in a huge variety of festivals. If they develop their skills enough, and they might even find a way to bring these two towns together once again!

More details can be found at www.natsume.com. You can also follow all of the latest Natsume news at www.natsume.com/facebook and www.twitter.com/natsume_inc.
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About Natsume
Natsume Inc. is a worldwide developer and publisher that specializes in unique and family-oriented interactive entertainment software for a variety of platforms. Most known for publishing Reel Fishing and Harvest Moon, Natsume is dedicated to producing quality video games.
For more information about Natsume Inc., visit www.natsume.com