Harvestella Overview | TechRaptor

When Harvestella was introduced, I used to be considerably skeptical. It was revealed together with a number of different Sq. Enix titles that may be launched inside shut proximity of one another, as in the event that they had been simply desirous to get every little thing pushed earlier than the vacation. It was onerous to not surprise simply what we’d be in for with a lot out without delay from one firm. The opposite level of skepticism stemmed from the primary trailer. Is Harvestella a Harvest Moon or a farming simulation clone? Or it’s extra in the identical vein as one thing like Closing Fantasy Crystal Chronicles? At first look, it appeared like a mix of each, nonetheless, the extra I obtained into Harvestella, it was clear that it’s actually its personal distinctive expertise.

Once we get all the way down to it, Harvestella opens with some typical RPG fare. That’s, you’ve obtained a personality creation instrument the place you possibly can design your avatar and select their identify, and also you play the position of the silent protagonist who conveniently is affected by amnesia. Sounds acquainted, proper? Proper. Regardless of this tried and true method, Harvestella does try to combine it up a bit. Whereas the story, together with your amnesia-ridden protagonist, eases out the gate at a sluggish tempo, issues do ultimately choose up as they lean closely on RPG tropes combined with some distinctive themes that spherical out an general compelling expertise. Add within the copious facet quests and also you’ve obtained the proper mixture of character tales to go together with the primary narrative.

The character creation instrument particularly is of word, and it’s not as a result of it has a ton of choices you possibly can select from. It’s noteworthy due to the gender selections you possibly can choose whenever you make your character. There’s the same old Male and Feminine but additionally Non-binary, which is one thing you actually don’t see in Japanese video games so its inclusion right here is price declaring. Whereas it doesn’t have an effect on gameplay, it’s nonetheless a pleasant gesture from the builders to increase that form of accessibility.

When you’ve obtained your character personalized it’s all about diving into the meat of Harvestella correct. The gameplay loop is definitely fairly in depth – there’s a farming component, basic adventuring, and typical RPG enemies you possibly can battle on the sphere. You may take your character via every day selecting to do every of this stuff earlier than you develop drained and should return to mattress. Sleep is vital right here simply as it’s in actual life. Harvestella could also be an RPG but it surely’s additionally a time administration simulation that doesn’t really feel too punishing resulting from its leisurely tempo.

Harvestella takes place in a world with 4 crystals that have an effect on the seasons and it’s their irregular habits that’s ushered in what’s often called the Season of Loss of life: Quietus. As lethal mud emerges from these crystals, individuals are pushed indoors and crops fail. The seasons are one other distinctive side of Harvestella as you’ll be journeying to varied cities and places that embody the themes of these seasons. For instance, one of many cities often called Nemea is draped in lovely flowers that bloom all yr as a result of crystal close by. It’s not all picturesque, nonetheless, as a sure battle inside the space may have you preventing very quickly.

Whereas Harvestella’s farming and crafting parts are easy, there’s nonetheless loads you are able to do with them even when farming itself isn’t the primary focus regardless of appearances. You’ll have your personal farm, plant seeds and water them and ultimately take these crops to promote them off or use them in cooking and crafting. The crops additionally depend on the seasons system as there’s a handful you possibly can solely develop and harvest throughout a particular time of yr. Others might be grown all yr spherical. It’s these parts together with issues like pets and caring for livestock that make the farming a part of Harvestella so interesting. It’s enjoyable to only vibe and loosen up whereas profiting from your every day life.

If farming isn’t your favourite exercise, you possibly can take to the fields and battle some monsters in conventional RPG fashion. The world of Harvestella isn’t just sunshine and rainbows because the every day life actions would possibly lead you to imagine. There are areas of hazard and battle and also you’ll have to take up completely different weapons and talents to succeed. Just like Sq. Enix’s personal Closing Fantasy, Harvestella lets you equip varied job lessons and reap the benefits of particular abilities and weapons based mostly on these jobs while swapping via them in battle. In the event you’re inclined to melee you possibly can play as Fighter, or if you wish to solid magic, you possibly can play as Mage. There are different distinctive roles as properly together with Shadow Walker and Assault Savant. There’s an excellent selection right here that retains fight from turning into too stale even when the battle system is easy and considerably dated – particularly when you need to strategize to handle enemy elemental weaknesses and carry out particular assaults. That is furthered by the recruitment system and the flexibility to be taught out of your fellow social gathering members.

The fight system itself is a pseudo-action affair with MMORPG-type actions the place you’ll use the face buttons on your talents, however in contrast to different RPGs with motion battle programs, Harvestella received’t allow you to dodge regular assaults. As an alternative, there’s a little bit of technique that comes into play with issues like space of impact markers you’ll want to concentrate to. In the event you’re an avid Closing Fantasy XIV participant like myself, it may appear very acquainted. It’s that familiarity that had me having fun with Harvestella’s battles even when they weren’t probably the most advanced or fast-paced. It’s that familiarity that made it fast to ease into, even when issues get hectic within the multilayered dungeons.

On the visible facet of issues, Harvestella may not be pushing any graphical boundaries however the fantasy artwork fashion shines all through. His vivid pastel colours spotlight the anime artwork fashion and the completely different places scattered all over the world. The music can be a shock with catchy tunes that make the world appear extra lived in. Harvestella runs particularly properly on PC, and I used to be in a position to plug in my DualSense controller seamlessly even when the buttons didn’t swap to their applicable designations.

Harvestella Overview | Closing Ideas

There’s loads to say about Harvestella however my largest takeaway is that it’s an underrated gem that’s form of been pushed out on the finish of the yr with little fanfare. Its strong RPG foundations are packed right into a easy, but charming game that doesn’t let its simplicity maintain it again. The story and particularly the character writing make up for the vanilla silent protagonist, and the artwork course and music are particularly a delight. Hopefully, as soon as the vacation mud settles, extra individuals will probably be prepared to offer this one a glance.

Techraptor reviewed Harvestella on PC by way of Steam with a replica supplied by the writer. The game can be accessible on Nintendo Change.