Trying out Harvestella In 2023
Over the years I’ve tried getting into farming/life sim games and while I respect the hell out of this genre, they just couldn’t seem to get my attention. At most, I would put in about 4-5 hours before getting bored and moving on to something else. Perhaps the one I’ve played the most was Animal Crossing for the Switch but even then, I don’t think I put more than a few hours into my island.
I should probably check on them and see if they haven’t died from starvation or a Purge. Nah, I’m sure they’re fine.
So, when I decided to pick up Harvestella during the current Square Enix Steam sale, I half expected to play for 30 minutes and then request a refund.
I’m two hours in and even while writing this piece, I’m thinking about going back in.
For those that haven’t really heard of the game, I don’t blame you. This came out in 2022, around the same time that Square had published a bunch of titles back to back. Harvestella was released alongside DioField Chronicles, Various Daylife, Triangle Strategy, and probably four other titles I can’t seem to remember. In fact, the Steam sale offered to tack on Various Daylife for an extra $7 but I passed on it.
Essentially, Harvestella is Rune Factory but with a really nice coat of paint over it. You play as an amnesiac who wakes up in a very welcoming village. You start off as expected, meeting the townsfolk, getting the basics down for raising crops, and learning the introductory lore of this world while hopefully figuring out more about your past.
What I didn’t expect was that there was going to be a second mystery involving something called Omens. In Harvestella, there seems to be this mysterious entity that terrifies your friends and early into the game you come across an armor clad solider/robot. Since this is meant to be a cozy farm/life sim, you take this Omen back to your recently donated shack and you now have a roommate that just vibes in their bed for a day or so. Eventually the armor is removed thanks to some as yet unexplained plot device and we’re introduced to Aria.
Aria appears to have her own plot as she has been isekai’d into this world and is trying to get back home. As far as she can tell, she has gone back in time and continues to stay with you for the next few days. Not much else is revealed at this point but the townsfolk don’t seem to be all that concerned with her just hanging about.
Other story beats have involved saving some kids from a herd of monsters that infiltrated their secret hideout, figuring that the brother of the doctor that has been checking in on you doesn’t seem to be our biggest fan, and some larger plot devices like a ghost girl we met in the prologue along with a plague that forces everyone to stay indoors for a night. All of it is told in a relaxed and charming tone so even though these are all mysteries to be solved, we can do so at our own pace.
I’ve played about 5 or 6 days of the story so far and along with the story, I’ve grown a few crops, fought some monsters, and crafted a couple of tools. Nothing you haven’t seen before in other farm/life sims. What separates Harvestella so far is in the presentation.
This is an absolutely gorgeous game with a lot of vibrant colors, smooth animations, and a soundtrack that will go down as an underrated gem. Seriously, give the title track a listen.
As I mentioned, I’m only a few in game days into Harvestella but I really can’t wait to unravel more of the plot, harvest some carrots, fight some monsters, and enjoy a so far cozy romp through this world.
Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect those of my employer: Activision Blizzard
