Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon for the Nintendo DS takes the original formula of the cutesy-farming-simulator series, then sticks in a bunch of RPG dungeon monster combat sequences. Apparently the townspeople don't just want lettuce and butter anymore: they need you to kill all the monsters around the city with your farmer ninja skills.
As in most Harvest Moon games, you'll spend most of your time here restoring a farm that's fallen into disrepair. Tend crops! Plant seeds! Raise livestock! You might also go fishing at the beach or chop wood to use for new construction on your property. It's curiously soothing to settle into the routine of your average workaday farmer.
Well, if by "average" we mean "fights caves full of monsters after sundown." The combat is simple but still satisfying, as you swing your sword or cast your spell to take out the enemy the ugly, lumbering beasties infesting the local caves. It's not terribly deep, but it breaks up the routine of farming quite well. Once you add a Monster
House to your property, you can recruit them to help out on your farm, too, adding a slight je ne sais Pokémon to the proceedings. It's certainly an odd blend, but not an unpleasant one, as the varied activity keeps the game from falling into a doze-inducing rhythm.
For all its improvements, Rune Factory is lacking in character development. The townspeople don't have very much to say–the shopkeeper's daughter's vocabulary barely extends past "Buy something!"–and as a result, your conversations with them lack the charm and humor that other Harvest Moon titles have had. It doesn't really matter, though. You'll so have so many other fun things to do in Rune Factory that you probably won't notice your neighbors are dull.
–Susan Arendt
WIRED Huge environment, lots of activities, attractive art style.
TIRED Somewhat unsatisfying character interaction.
Price/maker: $30, Natsume
Rating: 
