- #HARVEST MOON FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN REVIEW SKIN#
- #HARVEST MOON FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN REVIEW FULL#
- #HARVEST MOON FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN REVIEW PS4#
Most of it is fairly intuitive to begin with but it helps new players understand, because let’s face it, no one reads the tutorial books provided on the shelf in your house.
#HARVEST MOON FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN REVIEW FULL#
And for full idiot-proof measure, visual tutorials now automatically appear every time you enter a new area with a new activity. The fatigue/stamina bar is now visible which is very helpful to know how much you can push your character without fainting. Depth perception in the game can be hard to ascertain so this feature is very helpful so you don’t accidentally pour seeds on untilled land. When you’re working on the farm, a square now appears to show you the exact part of the land your action will affect before you commit to it. I used to drop things all the time (which means you lose them forever) by hitting the wrong button accidentally. Picking up items now automatically puts it in your backpack, a simple but much needed mechanic. It’s as I remember it but with significant improvements. I could feel muscle memory from years past stirring up inside of me as I began the lovingly monotonous chores of weeding, tilling and planting my crops. The core farming gameplay is smooth and familiar. I prefer the 90’s look on my best girl Elly/Elli but Doctor, Popuri, Gray and most of the cast have all been changed for the better. Certain character designs have been refined so they look more modern while still retaining that country charm. The cows are just as cute as I remember but the added roundness gives them an even squishier look. Story of Seasons has not strayed far from the original designs, which were adorable to begin with. Like any remake, better graphics are probably one of the most welcomed improvements. This indicates that anyone, regardless of how they identify, is available for lovin’. Story of Seasons marks all romanceable NPCs with a grey heart next to their name. Some later versions did include ‘workarounds’ for same-sex marriage, but there’s no need for that here.
Previous titles only allowed heterosexual relationships when it came to romances. Still, this latest version has worked harder to be more inclusive. While these are certainly steps in the right direction for diversity, it’s nowhere near the level of customisation in something like Animal Crossing.
#HARVEST MOON FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN REVIEW SKIN#
In Story of Seasons, you can choose a boy or a girl, there are three skin shades to select from, and a wardrobe to access shortly after. There were no options to customise appearances. You could play as either a male or female character depending on the version you bought. Historically, Harvest Moon games didn’t have an in-game choice of protagonist. It keeps things moving when you’d ordinarily be foraging for money and waiting for new crops to grow. Simple Mode removes some of the early grind to let players into the story. Your shipment is worth more and raising the affection of the townspeople is significantly faster. You’ll start with more initial capital and some turnips ready to harvest. Simple Mode strips the experience back for more casual play. Players can choose from ‘Simple Mode’ and ‘Normal Mode’ difficulties. pngs and marrying Doctor, who is best boy. It allows me to proudly explain why, over two decades later, I still enjoy pulling virtual weeds, planting potato.
#HARVEST MOON FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN REVIEW PS4#
The PS4 release of Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a beautiful homage to the original. There is an entire subculture of gamers whose only desire is a chill world they can hang out in. Runaway successes like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing are a testament to changing tastes. Today, there are video games to suit every taste. It’s hard to overstate how uncommon slice-of-life narrative games were back then. I’m old enough to remember when it was called Harvest Moon: Back to Nature. My first foray into farming simulation games dates back further than Harvest Moon‘s rebrand to Story of Seasons.