Loving the game so far. I do hope future enactments are more fleshed out and include all the good features of each game. I'm also hoping for them to make a game with the feel of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
There is a fine line on adding the right additions to a remake along with keeping other aspects true to the original, and it's rare to see a game fall under the "being too faithful" route. Normally they add so much new content and updates to remakes that it doesn't feel like the same game anymore. And even though I want to fault this game on several of these aspects, it's also very hard to do so. The one thing I will say about this game is it wasn't made for the newer generation. It was made for OG Harvest Moon players back in the day, and I commend them for that. It may not be a perfect game, but it's exactly what I personally wanted from the remake. I can't commend them for the price though. $60??? I mean, fair play to them, they knew the older generation of players would gladly spend that much on it, but it makes it really hard to recommend it to newer players. My only hope is that they'll take that money and keep making more amazing Story of Seasons games for us.
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback! Yeah, I here ya' on the new/old balance. I really enjoy the PS1 original, and have dabbled into this one a few seasons and do like the refresh. But you're right: it's definitely geared as more of a nostalgia remake then a "new game", which there's nothing wrong with! I lament now spending nearly $100 CDN on getting a new copy of the PS1 version again, cause I would rather even this arguably heavy pricetag over that haha! One can hope this will fuel some interest from some new fans that want a glimpse at the series' roots, but inspires the company to make more new versions with some sharper upgrades. ~Greg
Nice review man :) I'm interested in this game but sadly, remake or not, it doesn't really feel like a 50€ game. There seems to be a lot of quality of life improvements sure, but those small attention to detail like in trio of towns seems to be missing here among other things. It's not game breaking but, in the end, it feels like there is less stuff going on compared to previous Story of Seasons games. I guess it was made mostly for fans of the original. I'll wait for a Steam sale.
That's a fair point! Maybe some folks just want to dive in for the nostalgia of it, but there are definitely more refined farming sims out there, that's for sure. To each their own! ~Greg
This is just like you're playing older FF after you played modern FF that satisfy you. Even with additional chars and QoL you can't really expect the developer will expand too much modern elements and make it totally different game. FF7 Remake suffer this problem basically. The game is not that bad but the originality was lost...
I just started playing and I do agree it allows freedom to play how you want. I just wish the daily timer was longer. At least about an hour. If you have certain daily tasks like the harvest goddess offering, animal and sprites affection building, then materials gathering. It doesn't leave alot to interact and enjoy the experience. It can be very anxiety inducing. Hopefully after all the tools upgrades and etc of getting the basics done the game will be more relaxing lol.
I totally agree. You definitely need to blitz through your day and get those upgrades ASAP if you want to, you know, play leisurely heh. I guess it does force you to recognize your limits and not try to rush it. But I agree, trying to get to where you needed to be to meet X partner at the right time and get all your chores done and OMG it can be stressful! ~Greg
@@rpgfancom sadly I think it just makes me realize that subconsciously I enjoy torturing myself by pushing myself to the limits. Thanks for the reply though 🤗
@@rpgfancom thanks. I do enjoy it, like I said the biggest drawback is the short day span. Animal crossing definitely spoiled us there. But yeah, it must suck sometimes having to churn out for content. Either way we appreciate it so keep it up. (As long as it makes you happy)👍👍
As a kid, I loved the orginals on GBA and played it like crazy. (Even started a new save file a year ago after months long power outage, and it was fun to replay it) I really love this remake. I played Stardew Valley and other games in the HM/SOS series, but nothing ever really captured my attention like Mineral Town. I don't know what it is, I just love the charm.Thanks for the review. :)
I feel like there's a lot to be said for finding a cast you love and just want to visit with again, gameplay upgrades from those other games aside. Glad it was worth returning to for you! ~Greg
i am curious do you plan in reviewing the new upcoming addition to the franchise in story of seasons pioneers of olive town when it comes out in a few months?
@@rpgfancom hope so because i dont want to play the game fully blind I still want to know just what I am getting myself into even though it's considered spoilers.
Not yet but tuesday i will it will be on the switch then ready to go i do like rick but now i dont know if i want to mary him since he has no days off and works so late
Idk... what's been holding me back from getting this game is the lack of Rival Marriage, that major aspect made the town feel more alive.. I enjoyed watching my neighbors get married as if they lived the same simple life like anyone else.. removing that just makes them feel like robots the way all the other games had been..
Yeah, that's fair. I think that was introduced an entry or two later? They clearly didn't update that end of the code. I mean, you can definitely see the love interests, but yeah, I guess no one else pairs off! ~Greg
Just wish the charcters ( not potraits) or atleast you have more face animations. Its small but gives u more personality. U dont even blink. Rather have cartoony shove food in ur mouth then just arm animaties food in ur mouthles face. But stupid me should bought it on steam so i could mod it when they release. Like original stuff.
Thanks! We're trying to keep that personal touch as often as we can with our small team :) Silver-lining to the channel still getting started is our comment section is manageable! ~Greg
I played the Steam version and didn't have an issue myself. I was even able to adjust it so I could just hear the sound effects with no music! Maybe it's on your OS or desktop's end? I'm sorry I can't help more! Let us know if you can fix it! ~Greg
@@rpgfancom It had something to do with my PS4 controller, i unplugged it turned the game on and the music worked and i plugged in my PS4 controller and everything was fine. If you use PS4 controller you have to plug it in after you start up the game or you will not get sound..
@@TylerDaSaint Weird... It's like it was routing it through the controller's sound for headphones... I feel like that has happened to me in the past, actually! Good to know! ~Greg
Yeah, mileage may vary for some with this new style update. I still like the PlayStation look myself, but the work put into the updated designs is quite a nice touch, in my opinion. To each their own, though, of course! ~Greg
Agreed. It's as if the residents of Mineral Town have all been replaced by impostors, some of whom aren't even pretending to be the same person. I like the mechanical updates and new additions, but I just can't get over the character changes.
@@albatross1688 Fair point! Body-snatchers have taken them all, replaced them with younger, newer models! Is Mineral Town just a farming theme park!? Only YOU can solve the mystery! ...I might actually play that game? ~Greg
the lack of detail and somehow art is worse than something that came out 15 years ago... unless this game is 10 bucks.. i wont buy... it really looks lazily put together.
I really love your review. It's on point, clearly pointing pros and cons and without being "Hurr durr, it's not Stardew Valley!!!1!!!".
But sorrry, not for 50 bucks
Yeah, it would be silly to compare the two. They're from different times!
Thanks for the feedback! ~Greg
Marriage is a disappointment? I didn't realize Friends of Mineral Town was going for a real-life feel!
I mean, I hope it isn't for EVERYone! ~Greg
The game is partially a marriage simulator:)
Loving the game so far. I do hope future enactments are more fleshed out and include all the good features of each game. I'm also hoping for them to make a game with the feel of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
That would be nice. Cleaner presentation and fix those framerate drops! ~Greg
There is a fine line on adding the right additions to a remake along with keeping other aspects true to the original, and it's rare to see a game fall under the "being too faithful" route. Normally they add so much new content and updates to remakes that it doesn't feel like the same game anymore. And even though I want to fault this game on several of these aspects, it's also very hard to do so. The one thing I will say about this game is it wasn't made for the newer generation. It was made for OG Harvest Moon players back in the day, and I commend them for that. It may not be a perfect game, but it's exactly what I personally wanted from the remake.
I can't commend them for the price though. $60??? I mean, fair play to them, they knew the older generation of players would gladly spend that much on it, but it makes it really hard to recommend it to newer players. My only hope is that they'll take that money and keep making more amazing Story of Seasons games for us.
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback!
Yeah, I here ya' on the new/old balance. I really enjoy the PS1 original, and have dabbled into this one a few seasons and do like the refresh. But you're right: it's definitely geared as more of a nostalgia remake then a "new game", which there's nothing wrong with! I lament now spending nearly $100 CDN on getting a new copy of the PS1 version again, cause I would rather even this arguably heavy pricetag over that haha!
One can hope this will fuel some interest from some new fans that want a glimpse at the series' roots, but inspires the company to make more new versions with some sharper upgrades. ~Greg
Nice review man :)
I'm interested in this game but sadly, remake or not, it doesn't really feel like a 50€ game.
There seems to be a lot of quality of life improvements sure, but those small attention to detail like in trio of towns seems to be missing here among other things.
It's not game breaking but, in the end, it feels like there is less stuff going on compared to previous Story of Seasons games.
I guess it was made mostly for fans of the original.
I'll wait for a Steam sale.
That's a fair point!
Maybe some folks just want to dive in for the nostalgia of it, but there are definitely more refined farming sims out there, that's for sure.
To each their own! ~Greg
This is just like you're playing older FF after you played modern FF that satisfy you. Even with additional chars and QoL you can't really expect the developer will expand too much modern elements and make it totally different game. FF7 Remake suffer this problem basically. The game is not that bad but the originality was lost...
I just started playing and I do agree it allows freedom to play how you want. I just wish the daily timer was longer. At least about an hour. If you have certain daily tasks like the harvest goddess offering, animal and sprites affection building, then materials gathering. It doesn't leave alot to interact and enjoy the experience. It can be very anxiety inducing. Hopefully after all the tools upgrades and etc of getting the basics done the game will be more relaxing lol.
I totally agree. You definitely need to blitz through your day and get those upgrades ASAP if you want to, you know, play leisurely heh. I guess it does force you to recognize your limits and not try to rush it.
But I agree, trying to get to where you needed to be to meet X partner at the right time and get all your chores done and OMG it can be stressful! ~Greg
@@rpgfancom sadly I think it just makes me realize that subconsciously I enjoy torturing myself by pushing myself to the limits. Thanks for the reply though 🤗
@@luffytheunicorn5168 Haha That's fair. I found myself doing that for the Summer in Mara review!
Either way you play it, enjoy! ~Greg
@@rpgfancom thanks. I do enjoy it, like I said the biggest drawback is the short day span. Animal crossing definitely spoiled us there.
But yeah, it must suck sometimes having to churn out for content. Either way we appreciate it so keep it up. (As long as it makes you happy)👍👍
As a kid, I loved the orginals on GBA and played it like crazy. (Even started a new save file a year ago after months long power outage, and it was fun to replay it) I really love this remake. I played Stardew Valley and other games in the HM/SOS series, but nothing ever really captured my attention like Mineral Town. I don't know what it is, I just love the charm.Thanks for the review. :)
I feel like there's a lot to be said for finding a cast you love and just want to visit with again, gameplay upgrades from those other games aside.
Glad it was worth returning to for you! ~Greg
i am curious do you plan in reviewing the new upcoming addition to the franchise in story of seasons pioneers of olive town when it comes out in a few months?
That's our hope! Enough of us at the site like our farming sims, so one of us will likely get our hands on it! ~Greg
@@rpgfancom hope so because i dont want to play the game fully blind I still want to know just what I am getting myself into even though it's considered spoilers.
@@CrystalSanchez094 Totally fair! That's what we're here for! ~Greg
Not yet but tuesday i will it will be on the switch then ready to go i do like rick but now i dont know if i want to mary him since he has no days off and works so late
Cautionary tale from our reviewer, Niki, as you may have heard!
Luckily, there are more fish in the sea...? ~Greg
Idk... what's been holding me back from getting this game is the lack of Rival Marriage, that major aspect made the town feel more alive.. I enjoyed watching my neighbors get married as if they lived the same simple life like anyone else.. removing that just makes them feel like robots the way all the other games had been..
Yeah, that's fair. I think that was introduced an entry or two later? They clearly didn't update that end of the code. I mean, you can definitely see the love interests, but yeah, I guess no one else pairs off! ~Greg
Just wish the charcters ( not potraits) or atleast you have more face animations. Its small but gives u more personality. U dont even blink. Rather have cartoony shove food in ur mouth then just arm animaties food in ur mouthles face. But stupid me should bought it on steam so i could mod it when they release. Like original stuff.
Ah, well!
I get what you're saying, they chose to keep it simple, it seems.
Either way, hope you have fun with it! ~Greg
Not like this has anything to do with the review but I like how all the comments on this video has replies from you
Thanks! We're trying to keep that personal touch as often as we can with our small team :) Silver-lining to the channel still getting started is our comment section is manageable! ~Greg
how do you get sound to work on steam version? ive looked at settings in the game and everything should be on
I played the Steam version and didn't have an issue myself. I was even able to adjust it so I could just hear the sound effects with no music! Maybe it's on your OS or desktop's end? I'm sorry I can't help more! Let us know if you can fix it! ~Greg
@@rpgfancom It had something to do with my PS4 controller, i unplugged it turned the game on and the music worked and i plugged in my PS4 controller and everything was fine. If you use PS4 controller you have to plug it in after you start up the game or you will not get sound..
@@TylerDaSaint Weird... It's like it was routing it through the controller's sound for headphones... I feel like that has happened to me in the past, actually! Good to know! ~Greg
Thanks for the review. 😊
Thanks for the comment. 😊
Can't wait to get my preorder, this is the exact type of game I have been waiting for on the Switch and a major reason I got one
It's a good system to just relax with, right? Enjoy! ~Greg
Karen was my original bae :)
I was all Popuri all the time! But Jennifer seems an interesting addition. I am torn! ~Greg
This Channel Need More Subcribers, it just not fair
I second the need for more subs! ~Greg
Gba harvest moon fomt characters is much better than this revamped
Yeah, mileage may vary for some with this new style update. I still like the PlayStation look myself, but the work put into the updated designs is quite a nice touch, in my opinion.
To each their own, though, of course! ~Greg
Agreed. It's as if the residents of Mineral Town have all been replaced by impostors, some of whom aren't even pretending to be the same person. I like the mechanical updates and new additions, but I just can't get over the character changes.
@@albatross1688 Fair point!
Body-snatchers have taken them all, replaced them with younger, newer models! Is Mineral Town just a farming theme park!? Only YOU can solve the mystery!
...I might actually play that game? ~Greg
@@rpgfancom Lulz. I don't think the replacements for the town MILFs are younger, but otherwise I agree.
the lack of detail and somehow art is worse than something that came out 15 years ago... unless this game is 10 bucks.. i wont buy...
it really looks lazily put together.