After 20 years since its original release, Harvest Moon, now known as Story of Seasons, is making a comeback. Fans of the popular game Stardew Valley will surely appreciate one of its biggest inspirations. Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, a beloved farming game that was originally released on GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2003, has been remade and is ready for review. While the Story of Seasons franchise has had its ups and downs in recent years, this remake definitely captures the charm of the original from two decades ago. As with most games in the series, you start a new life on your grandfather’s old farm in the countryside town of Forgotten Valley. From there, you can customize your farmer, raise animals, and cultivate a variety of crops. Additionally, the Valley is home to various residents, some of whom are single and looking for love. The main goal of Story of Seasons is to find a spouse by the end of your first year and start a family. This game successfully brings back the original charm and proves to be a great game even in 2023.
A return to form
As a fan of Stardew Valley and someone who only played a Story of Seasons game on the Nintendo DS as a child (despite owning a GameCube and PlayStation 2), reviewing this game was a treat. Although I can’t compare it extensively to the original, my research shows that Marvelous Inc. did an excellent job with this remake. They not only replicated the farming simulator formula but also gave it a modern touch. The remake features a more vibrant color palette compared to the original, breathing new life into Forgotten Valley. If marketed as a new Story of Seasons title, it would still hold up. The gameplay loop is satisfying, and there are always new things to discover as the seasons and years progress. The real excitement begins in the second year, making this a game that will keep you entertained for days on end. The ability to start a family and witness your child grow adds an extra layer of depth that will keep players engaged. If you were disappointed by recent Story of Seasons titles and are looking for something fresh yet familiar, I highly recommend giving this game a try. Despite its price point, it truly feels up to date.
The day-to-day life on a farm
Once you settle into the game, you’ll establish your own farming routine that suits you best. Most players will find themselves following a similar pattern. Wake up, feed the animals, collect their products like Milk and Eggs, tend to the crops, and let the animals roam outside. After completing the morning routine, there are various activities to engage in around the Valley. You can go fishing, gather resources like flowers and mushrooms, or assist at the dig site. Most of your tasks throughout the day will contribute to your profits. For example, I often spend a significant amount of in-game time at the dig site, searching for valuable items to sell to Van twice a season. Each year consists of four seasons, with each lasting 10 days. Additionally, you can spend your day giving gifts to potential romantic partners, hoping to find a spouse. By the end of the day, I bring my animals inside, perhaps cook a meal or two, and then head to bed. This cycle repeats, with occasional events injecting some freshness into the routine. As you progress, you’ll unlock your own store and new facilities to produce better products for sale. You can even grow hybrid crops to increase your income. I haven’t felt the urge to put the game down yet, but there are moments when I find it less stimulating. For example, digging at the dig site can be tedious, and I sometimes multitask by using my phone because digging at a single spot takes a minute in real time.
When it feels outdated
Continuing from my previous point, some elements of the game remind me that it’s a 20-year-old title. The fishing and digging mechanics, in particular, lack challenge; you simply press a button to achieve your goal. For the dig site, you need to keep pressing the button repeatedly until you find a treasure. If Marvelous Inc. incorporated a mini-game for fishing or digging, it would have made these activities more engaging. The feeling of playing an aged game persists when I try to occupy myself with other tasks. After completing my farm duties and fulfilling any requests, I occasionally feel compelled to end the day early. The town only has two permanent shops—a café and a seed store. My favorite moments are when Van, the traveling merchant, visits on the 3rd and 8th of each season. It would be nice to have more shops, such as a furniture store for decorating your home and farm. Although you can travel to the city for a few hours, the screen fades to black and time passes. I understand that this is a remake that aimed to stay true to the original and didn’t promise a slew of new features. However, there are times when I yearn for the things that modern farming simulators offer but are absent in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. Still, the near one-to-one remake deserves praise for its commitment to recreating the original experience.
A nice polish
Considering that 20 years have passed since the original release, one would expect a leap in graphics. The remake definitely looks cleaner than the original, thanks to the advancements in console technology over the years. However, it’s important to note that the graphics aren’t flawless. The cartoonish style sometimes results in flat textures, but this doesn’t detract significantly from the experience. High-definition graphics wouldn’t necessarily suit the game. The vibrant colors enhance the visuals, and playing on a PC enhances the experience, particularly with the changing lighting effects during sunset. I particularly appreciate the addition of character customization, which was absent in the original version. It’s a welcome change that helps prevent the game from feeling dated. With various face options and numerous hairstyles, you can even design your farmer to resemble yourself. The game also allows you to choose between he/him, she/her, and they/them pronouns, unexpected but pleasant inclusivity. These improvements by Marvelous Inc. make the remake worth it, especially for those interested in the romance aspect. Not only did they add more romance candidates, but you can also get married and start a family.…