Harvest Moon is one among my favourite online game sequence. I’ll admit I don’t play the newer ones almost as a lot as after I was youthful, so I’ve missed out on among the latest titles. I used to be excited to assessment Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos not solely as a result of it’s the latest title within the sequence, but in addition as a result of it’s type of a celebration for the twenty fifth anniversary of Harvest Moon. The primary farming sport, like ever.
Harvest Moon has developed a lot through the years; typically for higher, and typically for worse. How will the most recent installment fare in comparison with different newer farming sims? Let’s have a look.
I stumbled upon this sequence by chance. A good friend’s mother purchased it for her on the Nintendo 64, and we assumed it was going to be essentially the most boring sport ever. Minimize to 3 weeks later, after we are completely obsessive about a online game about farming and beginning a household. It sounds boring, but it surely was so enjoyable, and so chill. The most effective components for me had been the random interactions you can set off with the assorted characters and bachelorettes. They make each playthrough a little bit bit totally different, and so they make you need to kind relationships with the entire villagers.
Over time, Harvest Moon began to develop into rather less thrilling and much more sophisticated. I’m nonetheless concerned about what the sequence has to supply, however nothing beats the primary few video games.
The Winds of Anthos positively feels new in a whole lot of methods. Initially, the most effective a part of this sport is the exploration facet. That is the primary open-world Harvest Moon sport, which was very attention-grabbing.
As a way to discover, although, you will need to first full the prologue. That is in all probability the worst a part of the sport. You’re simply beginning out, so that you don’t have a lot and you must full some essential quests with the intention to unlock every little thing the sport has to supply. One thing you’ll actually recognize are the warp statues. These are positioned all through the map, and often in each city. They arrive in actually helpful when it’s worthwhile to get someplace quick. You’ll find yourself utilizing them quite a bit later within the sport. It felt like there was a whole lot of wasted area within the area areas, and also you gained’t need to waste power mountain climbing round all day for no motive.
Talking of power. You begin out with 5 hearts (you finally achieve extra, however this takes a while). As you’re employed and transfer across the map, your hearts will deplete. In my view, they dwindle away fairly rapidly. You possibly can replenish your power by consuming meals you prepare dinner or purchase from the native restaurant. Or, you’ll be able to forage for meals/components across the map to snack on. I at all times tended to expire of power type of early on within the day. Days final round quarter-hour, so it’s laborious to make your power final the complete length. Actually every little thing takes power, in addition to speaking. You possibly can discuss all day, however watch out when strolling, working, chopping down timber, smashing rocks, tending to crops and every little thing in between. Thank goodness you’ll be able to warp and get a horse later within the sport, or I don’t suppose I may have taken it for much longer.
All the things else is just about the identical so far as the farming and forming relationships go. The one distinction is that that is the primary Harvest Moon sport the place you’ll be able to marry a similar intercourse accomplice (how futuristic of them). You possibly can discuss to individuals or give them items to extend their relationship with you. When you get them to a sure level of affection, you’ll be able to marry them and even begin a household. The nice ol’ American dream!
There are 5 totally different cities to find, every with their very own themes and terrain to discover. There are additionally a whole lot of totally different animals you’ll be able to befriend or use instead mount to your horse. For instance, you’ll be able to trip a zebra or perhaps a unicorn in case your coronary heart wishes.
So far as your farm goes, you will want to water your crops every day, feed your animals—you realize, the standard stuff. You possibly can finally improve your farm and add new buildings or transfer issues round. There’s a little bit little bit of customization, however not a lot, particularly with regards to creating your character. You possibly can edit pores and skin coloration, gender, hair coloration, and eye coloration. That’s it. No facial options or clothes (till later within the sport when you should purchase just a few outfits).
On the subject of aesthetics and efficiency, Winds of Anthos is missing. The sport froze twice on me to start with of my playthrough; every little thing I did that day needed to be executed once more. It was fairly annoying, and I didn’t know when or if, it was going to occur once more.
I additionally observed some body charge stutters. This didn’t occur typically, but it surely occurred sufficient to note and be irritated by. I additionally am simply not a fan of those graphics. They really feel low-cost and overused by so many video games. It feels a little bit generic, for my part. And as I discussed earlier than, there are numerous open areas on this sport that I don’t really feel are being utilized correctly.
What I did like was seeing the seasons change, interacting with wild animals, watching the gorgeous evening sky, and experiencing the totally different number of terrain and climate.
Total, Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos is similar to latest Harvest Moon titles. I actually choose the “old school” gameplay and graphics; they had been straight to the purpose, and every little thing didn’t seem to be such a chore. Nonetheless, I’ve to present Winds of Anthos props for making an attempt out an open world farming sport. I really feel prefer it provides quite a bit to the story and provides the participant many extra choices when planning out their day.
When you get via the prologue, the sport is much more tolerable and enjoyable. If in case you have some persistence and also you’re a fan of Harvest Moon, I positively suggest testing this newest installment. However for gamers searching for one thing fast-paced, like Stardew Valley, chances are you’ll need to skip The Winds of Anthos for now.