Harvest Moon DS pushed back? =( But keychain bonus!

[espy605]

I thought it was almost time for the harvest, but GameStop shows Harvest Moon DS was pushed back to 9/12. =( But according to GameStop, they're giving out a free cow keychain with orders:

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B180126A

[rlse9]

Hmm, that's tempting. I held off on the Magical Melody pre-order since I wanted to wait until the game dropped to $20 but with this being only $30 and the game probably disappearing from store shelves before it drops in price, I just might have to pre-order it.

[kurrptsenate]

this is one of the only RPGs I can get into. That keychain looks tempting

[Hollow Man]

Any word on whether this is hitting tomorrow?

-HM

[rlse9]

I haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise, but I've decided to most likely pass on the game after reading a couple rather poor reviews. Maybe that'll change if more positive reviews start showing up, but what I've read so far is that the game wasn't done very well.

[espy605]

My GameStop said tomomorrow or Wednesday.

but I've decided to most likely pass on the game after reading a couple rather poor reviews

What were the criticisms against it? Most people complain it rehashes GBA graphics and isn't a big change from previous games in the series, but personally I liked the GBA version and don't mind this at all.

[Hollow Man]

All the reviews I read of the Japanese version liked it. Nintendo Power gave the USA version a bad review, but I really don't trust that rag. I have seen no other reviews (I saw a preview of the new Rune Factory game though that was less than enthusiastic).

Gamestop.com (and thus Ebgames.com) have changed their on-line status to ships in 24 hrs. I just called my local store and they said they expect to have them in stock tomorrow (Wednesday).

-HM

[espy605]

All the reviews I read of the Japanese version liked it. Nintendo Power gave the USA version a bad review, but I really don't trust that rag. I have seen no other reviews (I saw a preview of the new Rune Factory game though that was less than enthusiastic).

But all the people that imported the Japanese version are Harvest Moon fans, usually. People that aren't into HM tend to find it tedious and unrewarding, which I can understand since it is a game about farming.

Gamestop.com (and thus Ebgames.com) have changed their on-line status to ships in 24 hrs. I just called my local store and they said they expect to have them in stock tomorrow (Wednesday).

I called today, too. They said the same thing. If they don't give me my keychain and the 10% preorder email discount they promised me, I'm getting it at Best Buy.

It's almost time for the Harvest!

[Hollow Man]

But all the people that imported the Japanese version are Harvest Moon fans, usually. People that aren't into HM tend to find it tedious and unrewarding, which I can understand since it is a game about farming.

Well, it's for my gf, who couldn't put the darn GBA/Mineral Town version down, so I think it's a safe bet she'll like the DS version.

-HM

[rlse9]

Both Nintendo Power and IGN gave it poor reviews. Same complaints, been there, done that, doesn't offer much new. I'm sure it's still a pretty fun game, but I was looking forward to something new and fresh, something that really utilizes the DS. Instead, I've started playing Harvest Moon 64, still my favorite game in the series, and I'm going to pick up Magical Melody as soon as it drops to $20.

[Hollow Man]

I'm sorry, I don't see a review on IGN for Harvest Moon DS. They did a preview for Rune Factory on August 31, but that's a different game.

-HM

[espy605]

Both Nintendo Power and IGN gave it poor reviews. Same complaints, been there, done that, doesn't offer much new. I'm sure it's still a pretty fun game, but I was looking forward to something new and fresh, something that really utilizes the DS.

I think it's pretty much the GBA version with minor improvements. If you already played the GBA version it might not be worth getting, but personally I avoided the GBA version for two years to get it.

[bingbangboom]

I think what they were saying is that the game didn't evolve as people had hoped with the DS. It appears just to be almost a GBA port with a bottom menu. For a long standing franchise, people expected more. Flat old graphics, limited use of the stylus, and just lack of creativity. This might be resolved in future versions. But they said if you can find the GBA version for $15 get that instead.

[espy605]

I think what they were saying is that the game didn't evolve as people had hoped with the DS. It appears just to be almost a GBA port with a bottom menu. For a long standing franchise, people expected more. Flat old graphics, limited use of the stylus, and just lack of creativity. This might be resolved in future versions. But they said if you can find the GBA version for $15 get that instead.
I think the feedback for the 2D Harvest Moons was much better compared to the 3D ones (excluding HM64) that Marvelous decided to just stick with the 2D formula. They did reuse a lot of the assets from the GBA games but HM was never really about the graphics. Regardless, I think the $15 bump is worth it for the ability to close the DS to put it to sleep, getting rid of the black border around GBA games as well as it sticking out of the DS Lite slot.

I'm posting on a few forums to see if diehard fans can tell me what the differences are besides the gimmicky touchscreen stuff.

So far this is what I've gotten:

-Bigger playmap than FOMT
-New livestock (i.e. ducks)
-Crops can "level up" to net you more money
-More girls to woo
-Gambling mini-games
-You no longer need to dig staircases to access lower mine levels
-Start with dog and cat

[BrerDan]

Thanks for posting this!!

How have the diehards rated the game? Do they think it is worse than/better than/equivalent to Friends of Mineral Town? I wholly agree that the graphics are not the most important thing...so a lack of an upgrade doesn't bother me. the big question is whether it is fun. I haven't had a chance to play FOMT, so I'm thinking I might just go with that instead since I already own it.

D

*snip*

I'm posting on a few forums to see if diehard fans can tell me what the differences are besides the gimmicky touchscreen stuff.

So far this is what I've gotten:

-Bigger playmap than FOMT
-New livestock (i.e. ducks)
-Crops can "level up" to net you more money
-More girls to woo
-Gambling mini-games
-You no longer need to dig staircases to access lower mine levels
-Start with dog and cat

[espy605]

I picked it up today (stupid clerks took the last keychains even though I preordered). The game looks much cleaner and polished compared to FOMT, the translation sounds a little more natural, too.

However, there have been reports of a couple glitches. The most annoying of which is the game will randomly freeze for some players. After four hours of play the game has only frozen once on me. Other people reported no freezing at all, some say once, some three times. So, just a caveat to you guys.

[Hollow Man]

I'm going to pick it up today or tomorrow for my gf. I'm sure she'll love it, even if at its core it's just Mineral Town for the DS. It's a shame it doesn't take more advantage of the DS's capabilities, but the darn thing really did come out so long ago. I have no idea why it took them so long to localize it.

-HM

[espy605]

How have the diehards rated the game? Do they think it is worse than/better than/equivalent to Friends of Mineral Town? I wholly agree that the graphics are not the most important thing...so a lack of an upgrade doesn't bother me. the big question is whether it is fun. I haven't had a chance to play FOMT, so I'm thinking I might just go with that instead since I already own it. Diehard fans seem to love the game and consider it a step up from FOMT. But if you already own FOMT, try that out before you get this.


I'm sure she'll love it, even if at its core it's just Mineral Town for the DS. It's a shame it doesn't take more advantage of the DS's capabilities, but the darn thing really did come out so long ago. I have no idea why it took them so long to localize it.
I was hoping they'd iron out all the bugs but they didn't. Natsume is a pretty small American publisher so they really take their time with things. At the same time, Harvest Moon games are notorious for annoying bugs.

Actually it does take more advantage of the DS' touch screen than reviewers let on because it really seems like they barely played the games. Another example of clueless person reviewing a very niche, genre title.

You actually start with a necklace that lets you use the farmtools with the touch screen. So you can stand in your house on the top screen, and use the bottom screen to tape squares to water, till, smash rocks, etc. If you upgrade the tools (e.g. copper watering can) you have to get a copper necklace as well to use this feature.

When you milk animals or sheer sheep you get a stock amount if you take the automatic option and get greater quantities if you manually play the touch-screen mini-games for these.

You can also buy a necklace to teleport around town using the touch screen. The gambling minigames are also touch screen compatible but I find using the regular controls faster. Blackjack, poker and concentration are available.

I'm still pissed I didn't get the keychain! ARRG.

Natsume had a contest for fanart that expires tomorrow if anyone is interested, you can win some geeky merchandise.

[judyjudyjudy]

Thanks for describing the game from a fan's perspective, espy :) I'm more convinced that I need to get this game, despite it's mediocre reviews. My only problem is that I'm tempted to wait for the inevitable girl version (that I'll inevitably buy), but who knows how long that will take.

[Roufuss]

I was hoping they'd iron out all the bugs but they didn't. Natsume is a pretty small American publisher so they really take their time with things. At the same time, Harvest Moon games are notorious for annoying bugs.

Actually it does take more advantage of the DS' touch screen than reviewers let on because it really seems like they barely played the games. Another example of clueless person reviewing a very niche, genre title.

You actually start with a necklace that lets you use the farmtools with the touch screen. So you can stand in your house on the top screen, and use the bottom screen to tape squares to water, till, smash rocks, etc. If you upgrade the tools (e.g. copper watering can) you have to get a copper necklace as well to use this feature.

When you milk animals or sheer sheep you get a stock amount if you take the automatic option and get greater quantities if you manually play the touch-screen mini-games for these.

You can also buy a necklace to teleport around town using the touch screen. The gambling minigames are also touch screen compatible but I find using the regular controls faster. Blackjack, poker and concentration are available.

I'm still pissed I didn't get the keychain! ARRG.

Natsume had a contest for fanart that expires tomorrow if anyone is interested, you can win some geeky merchandise.

Thanks a ton for all of this, I think I'll do a trade-in for it and not even bother with reading IGN's review.

[espy605]

Thanks for describing the game from a fan's perspective, espy :) I'm more convinced that I need to get this game, despite it's mediocre reviews. My only problem is that I'm tempted to wait for the inevitable girl version (that I'll inevitably buy), but who knows how long that will take.
You're welcome. I'm a very minor fan but I immediately enjoyed the series for what it was. The girl version hasn't been announced for a US release and unfortunately MFOMT took much longer to come out after FOMT did. With Rune Factory and the Gilligan's Island Harvest Moon coming out, I'd be concerned they might not release it here at all. What I really wish they'd do is combine the genders into one game, since there is minimal difference between the two. Some older HM games did this. Just really unfair milking.

On the up side, Harvest Moon DS for Chicks has some additions, most notably changable outfits. There's a great Harvest Moon portable site that has more info:

www.fogu.com/hm/ (http://www.fogu.com/hm/)

Thanks a ton for all of this, I think I'll do a trade-in for it and not even bother with reading IGN's review.
You're welcome. In all fairness to IGN, it really is more of the same but most core HM fans don't seem to mind. But I mean, how can you really tweak a game that's essentially about farming? It just has all the tweaks I've mentioned. One notable difference between this and FOMT...no more power berries. There are now accessories you can equip to regain stamina/reduce fatigue in the field, but they are quite pricey.



If anyone gets the keychain and doesn't mind parting with it, let me know PLEASE!

[Roufuss]

If anyone gets the keychain and doesn't mind parting with it, let me know PLEASE!

I just tried calling around for it, three stores never even got it in and one store only had 2 of them.

One guy told me that the stores are "expected to receive more" but we'll see.

[espy605]

Well if you get one that you don't want, please let me know.

The store I ordered at got three in, but the staff took them all and they didn't even buy the game.

[Roufuss]

Well if you get one that you don't want, please let me know.

The store I ordered at got three in, but the staff took them all and they didn't even buy the game.

I had you in mind when I called multiple stores for your awesome write ups that convinced me to go grab the game.. I'll try these stores back tommorrow and see if I can't round up some extras.

By the way, the guy at EB said this game was selling insanely fast, I grabbed the last copy in the store and the game just came out yesterday.

[espy605]

I had you in mind when I called multiple stores for your awesome write ups that convinced me to go grab the game.. I'll try these stores back tommorrow and see if I can't round up some extras.
Oh, thanks! I'd really appreciate it. How do you get them to just give them to you if you do? I'm saving my receipt from my store but I'm not counting on them getting any more. If you do score a keychain, can you get me one each of the black and pink DSL wrist straps? =)

By the way, the guy at EB said this game was selling insanely fast, I grabbed the last copy in the store and the game just came out yesterday.
Weird. At my two stores I was basically told I was the only person interested in it. Hope you enjoy the game. I spent over an hour earning medals at poker.

[rlse9]

I'd be a little surprised to see them release a girl version of this one with 2 more Harvest Moon games already announced. After reading what's been written on here by people that have the game, I may decide to pick it up should I find a deal on it. From what I've read about Rune Factory, it really doesn't interest me, so otherwise it may be until the island Harvest Moon until I farm on the DS. I played a decent amount of FOMT but never bought it, so it might be new enough that it wouldn't bother me.

[cletus]

I saw this at Gamestop today for $30. I guess I'll give it a try since I really liked the SNES version.

[espy605]

I saw this at Gamestop today for $30. I guess I'll give it a try since I really liked the SNES version.
This one has a lot more stuff than the SNES version and is one of the few HM games where you don't inherit a farm from your grandpa. It also can potentially go on forever, unlike the SNES version which ended after a few years.

I just noticed one huge change from FOMT: like items stack. So if you have two pieces of lumber, you can stack them and they only take one slot in your ruck sack. Piles can stack up to 99 items! Just about everything that is identical seems to stack so far.

[slvrdrgn123]

Picked it up but I think I will return it and wait for another game because this one doesn't seem to interest me like FoMT did.

[espy605]

That's odd considering how many people say it's just like FoMT. How do you return open new games anyway?

[slvrdrgn123]

I haven't opened it yet. I just picked it up today. I meant before I played FoMT, I had interest in those type of games, but right now I don't think I have the time to dedicate myself to it.

[espy605]

I'm curious why you bought it then. I'll admit though it isn't for everyone, the upside is that it doesn't have a real time clock like Animal Crossing so you don't have to play it regularly.

[slvrdrgn123]

I have no idea why I bought it. It was more of an impulse buy. I wanted Tetris but they didn't have it, bought NMSB for my sister so I can play that when she's not. Then none of the other games seemed interesting to me so I just grabbed it. Might go exchange it for Sonic Rush since it seems like a good game from the reviews here.

[espy605]

Mega Man ZX looks really good. Or just wait for some of the big DS releases which are coming soon, like Contact, FF3, Children of Mana, Elite Beat Agents, Touch Detective, Castlevania, tons of stuff just this year.

[slvrdrgn123]

Yep, was thinking of waiting for Children of Mana but that's not until October right? I think I will get Tetris for now because it has high replay value for me.

[espy605]

Don't know myself, not a big Mana fan.

[Hollow Man]

Well my girlfriend does seem to be enjoying the game quite a bit. She seems to think the time goes faster in game, but I guess since you can use a telephone to buy stuff, the problems are minimal.

Not really knowing that much about the game, I can't personally add a lot of input, but just thought people might want to know what someone else's thoughts were.

-HM

[espy605]

Well my girlfriend does seem to be enjoying the game quite a bit. She seems to think the time goes faster in game, but I guess since you can use a telephone to buy stuff, the problems are minimal.

Time does flow faster than previous games. It's due to telephone shopping, tending crops from indoors using the touch screen, and the ability to teleport around town much earlier than other HM games.