Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon

1. Kirisoul

   Jan 9, 2012

   10

   It's an underrated addictive game. Even compared to the other Rune Factories, this one is perfect in all it does. Expedited travelling, aIt's an underrated addictive game. Even compared to the other Rune Factories, this one is perfect in all it does. Expedited travelling, a quest system that adds story depth and more opportunities for exciting new items. Easier forging with instant access to storage, better dungeon design and bosses. A story that you actually kinda care about, more convenient farming. Deeper, more interesting characters, more strategy to battles, the list of improvements to this gem go on and on. Probably one of the best DS games I've had the joy to play and I've played a lot of good DS games.… Expand

   • 4 of 4 users found this helpful
2. DrChocolate

   Feb 23, 2014

   10

   Sensational game. I don't know why I skipped it when it first came out, but I'm so glad I discovered it. It's like playing Harvest Moon,Sensational game. I don't know why I skipped it when it first came out, but I'm so glad I discovered it. It's like playing Harvest Moon, Pokemon, and Zelda at once. I don't think I have seen an RPG this involved in a long time: you can do everything from item crafting to cooking, have countless weapons and spells, have multiple relationships, take any character into your dungeon party--and it has a good story with multiple endings. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great JPRG or Action RPG.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. irvanfaer

   Mar 14, 2017

   10

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   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
5. Xelion

   Jan 15, 2013

   9

   I find this game even better than the ones on the Wii. It's much more responsible than the older games and I also find the characters muchI find this game even better than the ones on the Wii. It's much more responsible than the older games and I also find the characters much more interesting. I was never attracted to Harvest Moon styled games nor Rune Factory 1 or 2, but this one is so good I actually had fun playing it.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. taptothebeat

   Apr 18, 2015

   9

   The rune factory series definitely does not receive the attention it deserves. While my experience is with only Rune Factory 3 and RuneThe rune factory series definitely does not receive the attention it deserves. While my experience is with only Rune Factory 3 and Rune Factory 4, both are fantastic. These games are really an all in one package!
   
   To start off, despite Harvest Moon being in the title, you really do not have to farm much, if at all. There is an RPG element to these games, so you can go fight monsters and craft instead.
   
   Another delightful element is that you are not restricted on areas that you can access for the most part. While yes, you may die because you are going to an area that is above your level, you sure can try! This idea of having more freedom rather than following a set path makes the gaming experience more enjoyable in my opinion.
   
   A particularly enjoyable element of the game is that you can capture monsters. I for one have a pet pineapple in my barn named Papple. You can also mount some animals, like a wolf or a Buffamoo (part buffalo, part moo of course). And this is all in addition to the base game play.
   
   For the RPG element, you have several types of weapons to choose from, you can also use magic (alongside your weapon of choice). The magic attacks vary in terms of what they do, so you can find what suits you best! There are not too many tactics for battling, but if you are finding things too easy, it is very easy to find a monster above your level to battle.
   
   As far as leveling goes, everything has a level, your combat ability, crafting skills, friendship, there is even a level for sleeping and eating. The nice thing is that stats go up based on their frequency. There is a "Death Resist" stat. i.e. the more you die, the harder it is to die. In a way, the game adjusts to your play level.
   
   If you are planning on playing both Rune Factory 3 and Rune Factory 4, I would say start with Rune Factory 3. Rune Factory 3 has some nice elements to it that Rune Factory 4 loses out on, in particular, the ability to transform into a monster yourself! The problem with going in the opposite order is that Rune Factory 4 improves a lot of features that you didn't realize you wanted improved until they were improved. These updates make it difficult to go back to Rune Factory 3 after playing Rune Factory 4.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. AdvancedRolling

   Jul 7, 2012

   8

   This game, might be the best one of the series of Rune Factory for Nintendo DS, comparing it to the other games, it is outstanding, but, ifThis game, might be the best one of the series of Rune Factory for Nintendo DS, comparing it to the other games, it is outstanding, but, if you are new in this games, you would say "I do not like it", ¿Why? Because the improvement from Rune Factory 1 and 2 is the thing that make this game outstanding, but, into a new gamer like me, I would say some things that look´s horrible, this game has recycled soundtrack from the other games, and if you look good into the enemies, they are the same, a very good improvement might be the number of the women that you can marry, or the storyline of the quests that will give you hours of entertainment.
   It would be a devastating I compare it to Rune factory Tides of Destiny, but there is no case to talk about it.
   I remember the day i bought it, waiting for something that would reach my emotions and heart. The money worth it, if you want something simple, entertaining and cute RPG games… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Trey82

   Feb 17, 2020

   6

   The core game is amazing, but this is a review in 2020. After the QOL improvements in RF4, you really cant go back to 3 without seriousThe core game is amazing, but this is a review in 2020. After the QOL improvements in RF4, you really cant go back to 3 without serious frustration.
   As part of the series, as a whole, it has only tiptoed in progression.
   Playing harvest moon 1996 up until RFactory4, the series is pretty stale until the spinoffs and more recent games.
   Trio of towns, RF4, Innocent Life started to progress, though!
   In hindsight, all the (fake) people whose lives you'll touch, all the crops you'll (fake) grow, all the mobs you'll (fake) destroy.. its all really amazing. It just isnt, after playing the next versions... and Fantasy Life.
   
   As it stands, I would ADORE a remake with the new QOL and maybe some sidestory DLC (pretty standard, these days.) RF5 is right around the corner.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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