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Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Comments by Tom Bramwell

22 April, 2004

"Get a life," we're often told. Probably the best advice we've ever had.

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Comments: 1-50 of 54 in total | next 50 »

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elevenses
22/04/04 @ 08:34
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Great review. Sadly I'm still waiting for my GBa copy to arrive (so far its been 14 days...) so will get this later - thats if my wife ever stops playing animal crossing long enough for me to use the cube again...
martyngates
22/04/04 @ 08:43
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anyone know if this plays more like the snes version or the ps version?

the snes version was great, but the ps1 version were terrible to control with its isometric view

any similarities to any other games regarding its control? sm64, zelda oot, luigis mansion?

edit - must learn to spell
Edited 1 times, most recently on 22/04/04 @ 09:55
MikeD
22/04/04 @ 08:56
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Pfff, what a review. Unlike the reader reviews I see you guys have no word limit :-)

Nah, the review was fine. I just have nothing with farming, so, despite being all for trying new things in the gaming world, I'll have to let this pass.
squaylor
22/04/04 @ 09:02
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...must...hold off...buying...Gamecube...

/shakes fist at Mugs
Machiavel
22/04/04 @ 09:03
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I'm worried playing such a game might prime me for an interest in gardening in real life. It would be a high price to pay!
otto [mod]
22/04/04 @ 09:05
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Reading your review, Mugs, it does sound a lot like the GBA version in terms of gameplay. Is that a fair comment?

I'm really torn. I kind of want to go out and spend the money on this anyway, simply because this is the sort of game I ought to like and I ought to support, and I really really really *want* to like it. But like WOPR I was very disappointed with the GBA version, unlike Animal Crossing it was much less rewarding and far more hectic. The short days and the number of chores to get done in a day barely gave you breathing space to sit back and enjoy the game.
Mugwum [staff]
22/04/04 @ 09:25
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Otto: Perhaps, yes, but I do hope to find some time to do the GBA review soon too, because I vastly preferred playing the Cube one...
jaa
22/04/04 @ 09:36
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Bought it. Played for about an hour and seemed to accomplish... well, nothing. Couldn't even discover how to feed the dog...

I really must play more... but I'm afraid he'll die.

(Wife seems to like it. And was very surprised when I told her what kind of game it is. "What? And you bought it?... Are you feeling well?" The sarcasm went on for a while but I took it quite well. Refused to let her take my temperature, though.)
Dizzy
22/04/04 @ 09:48
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So it's better than Halo?

Yes yes I know....

/grabs coat
boabg
22/04/04 @ 09:55
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This sounded marvellous until the bit about the changing context sensetive selections. Then the dodgy PAL conversion talk. Might pick it up if it's cheap enough.
disc
22/04/04 @ 09:58
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the dog can die?

if that is so I am instantly a slight bit more interested
tiddles
22/04/04 @ 10:12
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OK, just ordered the US version from DVDBoxOffice... so with any luck, I'll be playing sometime next century ;)
caligari
22/04/04 @ 10:25
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Heh heh, DVD Box Office DO like to take their time with orders. It's a pity you can't import from DVD Pacific.
martyngates
22/04/04 @ 10:27
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where are u guys from? ive always got my stuff within a week or so from dvdboxoffice, im in the uk
jaa
22/04/04 @ 10:30
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OK, just ordered the US version from DVDBoxOffice...

Just because of borders and no 60Hz or are there decapitations in the US version? ;)
Cyhwuhx
22/04/04 @ 10:35
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.::: Hmm, I seem to vastly prefer the GBA version above the GC one... I found the GBA version to be less tedious and annoying.
renzo
22/04/04 @ 10:47
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"In your second season, Takakura even surprises you with a horse"

How about some ***SPOILER*** warnings eh? ;)
Mugwum [staff]
22/04/04 @ 11:08
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"How about some ***SPOILER*** warnings eh?"

It happens about two or three hours in, and the game lasts about, ooh, several hundred. It just seemed like an obvious point to make about the way the game works, but obviously you do have a point. Sorry if it's spoiled it for anybody.
pjmaybe
22/04/04 @ 11:31
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Jaa said :

"OK, just ordered the US version from DVDBoxOffice...

Just because of borders and no 60Hz or are there decapitations in the US version? ;) "

Me say : ROFL!!!

Peej
Mugwum [staff]
22/04/04 @ 11:39
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Well, you can decapitate the grass with your sickle :-)
Killerbee
22/04/04 @ 12:22
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Is it just me or does this sound just a bit... boring. What's the objective? I'm all in favour of building up settlements and towns and cities (Age of Empires or Civ stylee) but usually the reason for doing that is so you can go and whack your opponents afterwards with supreme military force.

Am I missing the point?

It sounds like a Sims farming expansion.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 22/04/04 @ 13:23
BartonFink
22/04/04 @ 12:28
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Silly question but when is this slated for release?
steven
22/04/04 @ 12:30
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What a game sounds about doesn't neccessarily corellate to how interesting it will be. And Harvest moon is a good example. Farming sounds boring but in this game, its fun.
steven
22/04/04 @ 12:30
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Its actually out but apperently its out of stock in most shops.
Sid Nice
22/04/04 @ 13:54
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Jaa: Wrote:

Bought it. Played for about an hour and seemed to accomplish... well, nothing. Couldn't even discover how to feed the dog...

I really must play more... but I'm afraid he'll die.

(Wife seems to like it. And was very surprised when I told her what kind of game it is. "What? And you bought it?... Are you feeling well?" The sarcasm went on for a while but I took it quite well. Refused to let her take my temperature, though.)


If you don't want IT? I'll take it off your hands.
tiddles
22/04/04 @ 14:25
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where are u guys from? ive always got my stuff within a week or so from dvdboxoffice, im in the uk

I'm in the UK too... DVDBO are usually fine if you order before the game is released, but after that it's a bit of a lottery - sometimes it can take months. Apparently it's because they actually send stuff to the UK from Europe - they ship over a consignment when the game is released, based on the pre-orders they've received, but after the release date you may have to wait until whenever they actually ship over more stock. Or something.

jaa - I've ordered the US version because I've got a US cube. But I don't think I like the sound of the decapitations - it's gentle farming sim, surely? I may cancel and buy the Euro version in protest. Take that, Nintendo!
Taurus
22/04/04 @ 14:27
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Good review, i already have the game and agree with you say in the review. Very nice game, it's very good for those moments when you want to relax and don't want to play some fps, action or racing game.

And for those interested in knowing about the game, this site is very good:

www.hmotaku.net
Edited 2 times, most recently on 22/04/04 @ 15:27
jaa
22/04/04 @ 14:30
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Sid: thanks but I need to play quite a bit more before I can form a clear opinion about it.
Navi
22/04/04 @ 14:51
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Just noticed Harvest Moon: Save The Homeland for the PS2 on dvd box office. Any idea what this is like compared to A Wonderful life?
Edited 1 times, most recently on 22/04/04 @ 15:53
steven
22/04/04 @ 15:27
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Save the homeland is enjoyable but there is less emphasis on farming (limited seeds and crops) and your main objective is to save your homeland as the title says. The exclusion of festivals and marriage makes it less compelling though than A wonderful life. It is worth looking at.
WoodenSpoon
22/04/04 @ 15:49
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I'll wait for this to come down in price I think.
pjmaybe
22/04/04 @ 16:12
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Might've missed it somewhere but does this game eat your memory card for brekkie just like AC, blocks-wise?

Peej
Aga
22/04/04 @ 16:51
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Wondering about getting this game, but cant find it anywhere!
Spanky
22/04/04 @ 17:31
#34
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Is the music good? will it bring a tear to the eye?
Kami
22/04/04 @ 19:10
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Umm... can I kinda ask what is WRONG with Friends of Mineral Town? It's probably the most polished Harvest Moon title I've played since the SNES original... plenty to do, plenty to see... and IMO, a little more enjoyable than AWL (Not much. But probably because I can play FOMT on the train)...

Harvest Moon is/has always been a bankable game name. The series that delivers and then some... FOMT for me was an incredible leap forwards in terms of playability and the sheer amount of things to do, and I still play it. Wonderful game.

So, err... why don't people like it?
Daryoon
22/04/04 @ 19:16
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It doesn't have m0t0rb1kes
inpHilltr8r
22/04/04 @ 20:24
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The PS2 Harvest Moon was terrible, this is much much better. It has it's flaws, and a few things were cut at the last minute (the horse had it's own stable, now it's in the barn), but it's quite possibly the best Harvest Moon so far.

Or so says the wife. Not my sort of game at all.
otto [mod]
22/04/04 @ 20:32
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where are u guys from? ive always got my stuff within a week or so from dvdboxoffice, im in the uk

The thing about dvdboxoffice is, if they have something in stock, you get it quickly and cheaply. If, however, they don't have it in stock, they won't order it in, they'll simply wait until it turns up and then give it to the first person on the waiting list. So of the four items I've ordered from them, one turned up within a week, the other three have (so far) taken over five months each (two I ended up cancelling after four months, one I've still got on order - since last November - because it's not available in the EU).

The moral of this story is, only order from dvdboxoffice if you're ABSOLUTELY sure they have it in stock, otherwise you'll never see it.

edit - sorry, didn't see tiddles' post
Edited 1 times, most recently on 22/04/04 @ 21:33
ghearoid
22/04/04 @ 21:27
#39
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aw, i'd love to get this game but i've yet to see it for sale! it so my kind of game. i've played havest moon on GBC & PsOne and thoroughly enjoyed 'em. no one seems to have it in stock, even online, so i guess i'll just have to wait..
Hunam85
22/04/04 @ 23:14
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The translation in the game is poor, know want i mean?
Daryoon
22/04/04 @ 23:23
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I hope that post was satire
Sid Nice
23/04/04 @ 00:36
#42
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I was so excited and wanted this game for so long, now my enthusiasm is begining to wane. Ubisoft have cocked up again, there's plenty copies of SCPT in the shops. Has this been an error of judgement? or a tactical move on Ubisofts behalf?
beep
23/04/04 @ 01:43
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Those interior screenshots look a lot like Grandia 2 on the Dreamcast... What a great game that was!
3william56
23/04/04 @ 06:50
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Very, very scary...

Excellent review, but it does sound suspiciously like he just spent six years with some back to nature Moonies cult and is back, all shaved head, kaftan, beads, glittery eyes and earnest manner, trying to convince us jaded city types that it is the change our violent and polluted lives need (whilst quietly caressing the butcher's knife in his pocket)...

Intrigued, but scared...
masterson
23/04/04 @ 08:54
#45
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It's not an RPG, it's an RTS - Rural Tedium Simulator
I have the US version and found it about as enthralling as watching paint dry. At least with Animal Crossing I had the NES games to relieve the tedium of being Tom Nook's bitch. The woman seems to like it however...
Navi
23/04/04 @ 10:31
#46
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"Save the homeland is enjoyable but there is less emphasis on farming(limited seeds and crops) and your main objective is to save your homeland as the title says. The exclusion of festivals and marriage makes it less compelling though than A wonderful life. It is worth looking at."

Thanks steven, I think I'll try and find A wonderful life first then (thats if anywhere in the UK has it).
inpHilltr8r
23/04/04 @ 19:08
#47
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See also:

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life for Girls

No, seriously.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 23/04/04 @ 20:08
Sid Nice
24/04/04 @ 23:43
#48
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It's hard enough to get the original version here in Europe, never mind the girl equivalent. Yes Megan a girls version is in the works, but I doubt it'll be released in Europe though.
steven
26/04/04 @ 11:49
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They couldn't be more accurate with this 9 out of 10 scoreline. It's the best Harvest moon game there is.
ghearoid
27/04/04 @ 18:27
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still waiting to get hold of a copy...

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