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Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness

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6.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 19 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Natsume

Developer: Marvelous

Genre(s): Strategy, Simulation

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: August 26, 2008

Summary

You're shipwrecked on a deserted island. Starting with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it's up to you to tame the land and make the island prosper. By farming crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, you'll help the island grow into a vibrant town bustling with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Are you a good enough farmer to turn this island into a paradise? Play as a boy or as a girl. Attract settlers by building your farm. Fall in love and start a family. Explore the biggest portable Harvest Moon ever. Compete against other ranchers via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. [Natsume]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

NGamer UK

This is a labour of love rather than carefree gaming enjoyment, but it's one of the best "Moons" in a while. A very happy tenth birthday for the series. [Dec 2008, p.69]

Pelit (Finland)

The same old agricultural experience once again. Old means in this case comfortable, familiar and entertaining instead of boredom and repetition. If you love the series or have never tried any Harvest Moon game go get this and start farming asap. Others may be happier elsewhere. [Mar 2009]

1UP

The paper-thin storyline (you're shipwrecked on a remote island and decide to put down roots there) may be an inconsequential excuse for you to repeat the same core game of the past 11 years, but some small lessons learned along the way manage to shine through.

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Nintendo Power

The near-exclusive use of the touch screen to control every aspect of farm life is a questionable decision--it doesn't feel very accurate or intutitive. [Aug 2008, p.87]

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

It's another decent farming adventure but it's pretty much the same game that Marvelous have been churning out for ten years.

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Gameplayer

Harvest Moon’s open-ended goals and non-violent gameplay were always well ahead of their time, but the problem has always been one of repetitiveness.

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Game Informer

Unfortunately, bad mechanics and ho-hum gameplay progression bring things down.

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Cheat Code Central

Overall, I was pretty happy with all the improvements that Island of Happiness made to the traditional Harvest Moon formula. However, I had serious issues controlling the game, and it was always a battle to get my character to do what I wanted.

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Worth Playing

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness has a lot of potential to be good, if you are willing to put in the time to have it pay off.

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IGN

They just don't make them like they used to.

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PALGN

Island of Happiness has some depth, but you'll have to get past the painful controls and lazy design to find it.

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InsideGamer.nl

Island of Happiness is way too slow for a game on the Nintendo DS. Entering the world of Harvest Moon and staying there for hours can be very unrewarding and not useful at all, while handheld-games should be playable in short intervals. Also, the fun of casual farming is spoiled by the clunky controls.

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GameZone

Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness is not an unplayable game by any means but the horrible controls simply keep it from being a fun game.

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GameSpot

Island of Happiness offers plenty of satisfying farming gameplay, but the controls will leave you decidedly unhappy.

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Pocket Gamer UK

A considerable improvement on the first DS iteration, but still not the definitive Harvest Moon.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.6 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Bud B. gave it an8:
It's not bad... it's just not unique enough from the other games. The stylus controls take some getting used too.

Jean O. gave it a0:
Using the stylus feels awkward and difficult, especially when farming. In any other game that isn't time sensitive, it may be ok but in this game, you can't afford to spend hours just watering because the control isn't accurate. I have all previous Harvest Moons for all systems including the last one for the DS. This one isn't worth the money. No option for using the pad instead of the stylus? No way!!

James M. gave it a0:
TERRIBLE controls, I can't get around how bad they are. NO D-PAD CONTROLS AT ALL. It'd be nice if the d-pad could be set to control the character, but it can't. You can't even change ANY of the options. I love harvest moon, I played for twenty minutes before I couldn't stand it anymore. Wait until the next game, this one blows.

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Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness

Game Info

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What The Critics Said

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