Harvest Moon, currently known as Story of Seasons, is one of the most popular game series on the market, requiring players to farm, mingle, and maintain the land. The franchise’s debut game was launched in 1996, and there have been 28 titles produced since then as of January 2021.
If you’re new to the series, there’s a lot to select from with so many games published across many platforms. Choosing which game to play might be challenging, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 games in the series, rated from worst to greatest!
The Tale of Two Towns
Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns was published in 2011 for the Nintendo DS and took place hundreds of years before the events of the rest of the series. Because of a cooking competition, the two towns of Bluebell and Konohana have become fierce enemies in the game, and it’s up to the player to determine which is their hometown.
Both towns specialize in different areas, with Bluebell focusing on farm animals and Konohana focusing on agriculture. Players must maintain their farm, take tasks from the nearby towns, and build connections with the NPCs, much as in previous games in the series. It’s entertaining and addictive, but it doesn’t contribute anything to the series, thus it’s near the bottom of the list.
A New Beginning
Harvest Moon: A New Beginning was published in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS, and it was the last game to carry the Harvest Moon moniker before the brand changed its name to Story of Seasons. The scenario revolves on an abandoned village named Echo Village, which the player must resurrect through farming and other tactics similar to those used in previous games in the series.
Bringing in new citizens to the community is critical, but it will take a lot of effort. The opportunity to develop new and intriguing areas for future inhabitants to dwell in is added by the Construction Workshop and Town Renovation Plan, making this game creative and engaging, to say the least. A New Beginning is interesting and enjoyable to play, although its long tutorials and delayed start might make it difficult to get into.
Story of Seasons
After the franchise ditched the traditional Harvest Moon naming tradition in 2015, Story of Seasons was the first to wear that title. The game takes place in Oak Tree Town, a little town searching for individuals to farm with. After becoming dissatisfied with living in the large city, the player responds to a flier to accept the mission!
When the player does so, they will be transported to Oak Tree Town, where four other farmers will assist them in learning how to cultivate their new acreage in the town. The game’s objective is to unlock all seven vendors in order for Oak Tree Town to become a global commercial hub. Story of Seasons is an excellent addition to the franchise, with the main drawback being that multiplayer is restricted to a certain zone.
Sunshine Islands
Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands was published in 2009 for the Nintendo DS. The game introduced players to an island farm, which differed from the typical small-town farm environment. The game is a step up from the DS title Island of Happiness, which also featured the Sunshine Islands, and allows the player to choose from either gender.
The game introduces new marriage partners, assigns the player the responsibility of extending the island, and introduces competitor marriages. Players must take care of their farm while simultaneously attempting to locate sun stones in order to get access to the game’s other islands, which include islands that allow players to obtain additional animals and crops.
Magical Melody
Harvest Moon: Magical Melody was released in 2005 for Nintendo GameCube and in 2008 for Wii. The player must wed one of the gorgeous villagers and awaken the Harvest Goddess, who has turned to stone owing to the sadness caused by the populace’s disrespect for her grandeur.
The game’s play structure varies from that of others in that the player must collect musical notes by completing chores and reaching milestones. The player will finally compose magical music that will free the Harvest Goddess from her rocky confinement. The game brought something fresh and unique to the franchise, making it an entertaining and unique addition.
Animal Parade
Harvest Moon: Animal Parade was published in 2009 for the Wii. Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility incorporates the same elements and characters. As the title indicates, the player has access to a wide variety of animals, all of which may be ridden.
The plot centers on Castanet Island, where the Harvest Goddess’ pond is missing its miraculous tree. As a result, the island’s animals are leaving, and it’s up to the player to bring the Harvest King back to the island in order to help restore the Goddess’ Tree and the island’s animal population to its former grandeur. This game seems new and welcoming because of the introduction of circus animals. It’s a fantastic addition to the series!
Trio of Towns
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns took the story in a new direction by introducing three distinct towns. The Nintendo DS game was launched in 2017, and it featured three separate cities based on three distinct civilizations. It included a variety of dog breeds, as well as the ability to take pets about town and decorate your home. With its roster of 14 distinct marriage candidates, the game also drew in a lot of seasoned players.
The player’s job is to bring the three communities together and learn about their different cultures. There are more NPCs than usual, thanks to the vast diversity of villages, providing gamers interested in the more social aspects of the game series something to do and more stories to explore.
Back of Nature
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature was the first game to be released on a non-Nintendo device, debuting on the PlayStation in 1999. Harvest Moon 64 was carried over to this game, but their lives, family relationships, and personalities were modified.
The game was launched in two versions, allowing players to take on the role of either a man or a woman looking to their grandfather’s farm. In the main game, the player takes on the role of a young kid who grows up to inherit his grandfather’s property, which he must repair in three years. While the visuals are a little archaic, this thrilling new entry to the franchise is frequently referred to as “one of the finest” PlayStation games.
A Wonderful Life
Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life was first published in 2004 for the Nintendo GameCube, although it was eventually ported to the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 4. The game opens on the Forget-Me-Not-Valley coast, where the player must take over his father’s property and restore it to its former splendor.
Nurturing and caring for animals is a big part of the game. The game starts with a dog and a cow that produces milk for 40 days before mating. Players are eventually given ducks, goats, chickens, and other animals to care for while also cultivating crops to earn money and boost overall production. While the game’s soundtrack has been described as “monotonous,” the gameplay is very addicting and engaging, making it a great addition to the franchise.
More Friends of Mineral Town
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town was launched in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance and was recreated in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch. The game featured many gameplay concepts that would become series hallmarks as an early entry in the genre. Play is included in the game.
When the player reaches adulthood, he discovers that the old man has died, leaving his farm in shambles, but it has been bequeathed to him! The player is then tasked with restoring the farm’s output while interacting with the other villagers, marrying one, and fathering his own son. Friends of Mineral Town frequently appears at the top of lists such as this one because of its “deceptively engaging” gameplay that keeps players coming back for more!
