Harvestella
Developer(s)Live Wire
Publisher(s)Square Enix
Director(s)Hiroto Furuya
Producer(s)Daisuke Taka
Designer(s)Daisuke Taka
Programmer(s)Nauyuki Ukeda
Artist(s)Isamu Kamikokuryo
Yoichi Kubo
Yasushi Hasegawa
Writer(s)Hiroto Furuya
Composer(s)Go Shiina
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch, Windows
ReleaseNovember 4, 2022
Genre(s)
Mode(s)Single-player

Harvestella is a 2022 farm life sim role-playing video game developed by Live Wire and published by Square Enix.[1] It was released for the Nintendo Switch and Windows on November 4.[2] It has been compared to Final Fantasy and Rune Factory, and revolves around farming crops while attempting to save the world from the sudden appearance of a deadly magical plague known as Quietus.

Gameplay

The game includes action RPG combat, with the player being able to choose one of twelve classes, including Fighter, Mage and Shadow Walker.[2] Other gameplay aspects include life simulation elements, where players can explore their village and talk to its residents, farming, cooking, crafting and fishing.[3] Besides the main story, each of the main characters have ten missions that the player must complete to strengthen their relationship with them, but they don't have to be done right away. There are also side missions that the player can do anytime. Both the character and side missions can be done by talking to a character with a symbol above them. The missions will not continue until the player receives letters from the characters, requesting them to come see them. They can also be done even after the main story is finished. Should the player successfully bond with one of the main characters, it could result in a marriage. During combat, players can have up to two of the main characters to help them in battle. Some characters may leave the party temporarily.

Plot

The game takes place in a world where four giant crystals are the most notable scenic points. These are called Seaslight and ensure a stable change between the four seasons. This is disrupted when Quietus causes crops to wither and die across the land and prevents people from going outside.[3]

The protagonist's name and gender can be selected by the player; the former is Ein by default and the latter can be male, female, or nonbinary.[4] Other characters include: Shrika, a missionary; Heine, a flirtatious and handsome mechanic; Emo, a siren princess and the last of her kind; Cres, a doctor; Istina, a teacher who was once an assassin; Asyl, a spearman; Brakka, a mercenary; Aria, a mysterious girl who is believed to be from the future; Dianthus, one of the Omens who are believed to be responsible for Quietus; and an arrogant Unicorn. Some characters will aid the protagonist in their quest.[5]

The world has five towns,[6] including Lethe, Nemea, Argene, and Shatolla.[7]

The game also has multiple endings, all of which are bad endings except one, which is the true ending.

Reception

Harvestella received "mixed or average" reviews according to the review aggregator Metacritic.[8][9] Jonathan Bolding of PC Gamer called the game "Square Enix's answer to Rune Factory", saying that it had a "distinctive spin and visual style".[2] Cass Marshall of Polygon called it "an intriguing take on a chill vibes genre of game", and calling its fully 3D graphics an "interesting perspective".[19] Ali Jones of GamesRadar+ called its $60 release price expensive compared to other farming sims, saying that "we'll have to wait [...] to see whether Harvestella proves worthy of its premium price".[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Take a fresh look at HARVESTELLA | Square Enix Blog". square-enix-games.com. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  2. 1 2 3 Bolding, Jonathan (2022-07-02). "Square Enix puts their spin on the farm and fantasy life sim with Harvestella". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  3. 1 2 Nightingale, Ed (2022-06-28). "Harvestella looks like Final Fantasy meets Stardew Valley". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  4. ↑ Jovanovic, Nikola (2022-11-03). "Is Harvestella Character Customization Good? - Answered". Prima Games. Gamurs. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  5. ↑ Harris, Iain (2022-06-28). "Harvestella brings Final Fantasy art and combat to the Stardew Valley lifestyle". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  6. ↑ 小林, 白菜 (2022-10-04). "「ハーヴェステラ」インタビュー：ファンタジー生活シミュレーションにJRPGらしさ・過酷さを盛り込むため、"死季"が生まれた". Gamer.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  7. ↑ Holt, K. (2022-06-08). "'Harvestella' is a Square Enix farming sim with a dark twist". Engadget. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  8. 1 2 "Harvestella for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  9. 1 2 "Harvestella for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  10. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (2022-11-19). "Review: Harvestella". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  11. ↑ Stewart, Marcus (2022-11-30). "Harvestella Review". Game Informer. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  12. ↑ Shive, Chris (2022-11-13). "Review: Harvestella - Hardcore Gamer". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  13. ↑ Lloret, Alberto (2022-11-07). "Análisis de Harvestella para Nintendo Switch y PC, ¿un juego de rol de acción "granjera" o un simulador de granjas rolero?". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  14. ↑ Vogel, Mitch (2022-11-07). "Review: Harvestella - A Promising Genre Hybrid That Needs Some Watering". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  15. ↑ Ronaghan, Neal (2022-12-12). "Harvestella (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  16. ↑ Fuller, Alex (2022-12-19). "Harvestella Review". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  17. ↑ Parsons, Izzy (2022-11-30). "Harvestella Review". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  18. ↑ McClure, Deven (2022-11-10). "Harvestella Review: Superb Story, So-So Simulation". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  19. ↑ Marshall, Cass (2022-06-28). "Square Enix's Harvestella is a new life sim farming game with a deadly twist". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  20. ↑ Jones, Ali (2022-06-29). "Farming game fans balk at $60 Harvestella price tag". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
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