Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon

 DS
  • Publisher: Natsume
  • Release Date: Aug 14, 2007
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

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  • Summary: You awaken to find yourself in an unfamiliar village with no memory of who you are or how you arrived. Mist, a beautiful young woman comes to your aid and helps you start to build a life for yourself…on a farm. Till the land, grow crops, raise animals, catch fish and battle monsters!You awaken to find yourself in an unfamiliar village with no memory of who you are or how you arrived. Mist, a beautiful young woman comes to your aid and helps you start to build a life for yourself…on a farm. Till the land, grow crops, raise animals, catch fish and battle monsters! Battling against fierce beasts is very important for your survival, but making friends with them is essential for your farm life. Build skills and learn magic as you save your neighbors and uncover the secrets of your forgotten past...Befriend wandering monsters to help with your farm, each with their own special abilities. Upgrade your skills as you use and create hundreds of items and tools. Communicate and exchange items via Wi-Fi. Grow crops, make friends and fall in love. [Natsume]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Cheat Code Central
    94
    Series fans will find that Rune Factory far exceeds their expectations. The inclusion of combat, magic, and other RPG elements greatly expand on an excellent game design that will feel familiar, if not significantly improved, to many players.
  2. GameShark
    91
    It’s unlikely that Rune Factory is going to make converts out of anyone who doesn’t already enjoy the series but it will certainly please longtime fans, especially those who felt like the series was growing stale.
  3. AtomicGamer
    85
    In the end, this meshing of two different styles of gameplay is what makes Rune Factory a worthy pickup for previous Harvest Moon-ers.
  4. Cynamite
    80
    Despite its complicated start, Rune Factory rewards the player with a really charming role-playing experience.
  5. G4 TV
    80
    The new elements all mesh perfectly to provide a more well-rounded farming RPG experience, and, as odd as that sounds to non-fans, this is an excellent DS adventure.
  6. Nintendo Power
    70
    The play control is responsive, but sword swinging is hesitant and Raguna is unable to fight and walk at the same time. [Sept 2007, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Game Informer
    58
    Just way more trouble than it’s worth.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. RickD.
    Aug 15, 2007
    10
    Perfect for harvest moon fans and for someone new to the series.
  2. AssassinDeathclaw
    Sep 25, 2007
    10
    Great game though breaks away from the original versions of harvest moon to combine with seiken densetsu which was apparently popular it now Great game though breaks away from the original versions of harvest moon to combine with seiken densetsu which was apparently popular it now has the same gameplay in children of mana 2 things would make this game better, that would be being able to go wi fi with anyone and being able to be a male or female charcter (why are you always a guy?) though another good change would be the title (though nothing's really wrong with it) which does sound good but I'd rather it be Harvest moon rune factory or a fantasy harvest moon rune factory sticking with the original title of harvest moon. The way which this game is named makes it sound somewhat like a whole new series of games. The great thing about this game is because of the addition of fighting monsters and taming monsters it gives even more gameplay. Being able to break away from original farming to smithing, crafting, and potion mixing adds even more gameplay and ways to make money.… Expand
  4. KodaD.
    Dec 10, 2007
    10
    This game rocks! Seriously, the characters sre gorgeous. And the storyline rocked. I can't wait to see the second game.
  5. MattR.
    Aug 16, 2007
    9
    I HATED Harvest Moon DS with a fiery passsion (it was the first game in the series that I played) and it was with great caution that I picked I HATED Harvest Moon DS with a fiery passsion (it was the first game in the series that I played) and it was with great caution that I picked this title up. Then played it for 6 hours straight. So far It's worlds better! Some of the dialogue has actually made me laugh (generally just because of how ridiculous it is), and if I get tired of of prized beet crops I can always go smack some monsters with my hoe.… Expand
  6. kmtoner
    Nov 12, 2013
    8
    A lot of the critics reviews suggest that someone new to the Harvest Moon games wouldn't enjoy this game: I must disagree. It was through thisA lot of the critics reviews suggest that someone new to the Harvest Moon games wouldn't enjoy this game: I must disagree. It was through this game that I got introduced to the HM games, and I absolutely loved it. The concept was amazing, the graphics and the controls lovely and easy to use, and the characters (mostly) interesting. I will admit however that at times I found the game tedious and took breaks from it, but I always came back to it whenever I felt in the mood, which was quite a lot.
    Later on I've discovered that it was the elements closest to the HM games that made this one tedious, and I haven't found a game I've enjoyed near so much as this one by them, and so I will give this game an 8/10 in comparison to the 4/10s I feel the others deserve (e.g. A Tale of Two Towns, etc).    … Expand
  7. AmbiH.
    May 12, 2008
    7
    I liked the game. It was difficult at first but (mainly because I read walkthroughs online *Thank you Freyashawk*) I got used to it. I have a I liked the game. It was difficult at first but (mainly because I read walkthroughs online *Thank you Freyashawk*) I got used to it. I have a couple complaints though. The Harvest Moon Part of it is shambles… Expand
  8. SlytailL.
    Nov 6, 2007
    0
    I played it for about an hour, but then I couldn't put it down fast enough. I got the plant/water/sleep cycle down, but then the game I played it for about an hour, but then I couldn't put it down fast enough. I got the plant/water/sleep cycle down, but then the game just stopped making sense. You'd think you'd be able to go into the sad looking town, visit the blacksmith, and buy a tool... NOOOO, you have to hunt down the right non-related person to speak to, and in the right conditions to get any particular tool. And don't get me started on the Rune Point idea. Unless you like mindless tedium, go somewhere else to have fun.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best DS Game of 2007
15
#15 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007
20
#20 Most Shared DS Game of 2007