IGN: Rune Factory 3 does little to change the franchise formula, and for me, someone new to it, that’s good enough. Still, I can imagine that longtime fans could be feeling more than a little burnt out, as it’s more of the same despite being the third entry on the DS. With the sizeable amount of activities and skills to work on, though, it gave me hours of enjoyment before it really started to wear on my patience. And even when it did, I still found myself answering the call to farm after a short break from the monotony.
Presentation - 8.0
Graphics - 7.5
Sound - 7.5
Gameplay - 8.0
Lasting Appeal - 8.0
It’s the combat element of Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon that has seen the biggest renovation, pushing the boundaries of the series far beyond the simple family-fun farming simulation it once was. Featuring real-time action, the player will progress through a level system that unlocks new abilities and combos, and allows them to create and wield new, more powerful weapons. What’s more, once having progressed past the basics the player will earn the ability to transform into a monster, offering a number of additional bonuses and significantly altering the style of play.
Everybody Plays: Around this time last year, I was writing a review for Harvest Moon: Animal Parade on the Wii – which, somewhat surprisingly, was the first Harvest Moon game I'd ever played. Fast forward a year, and here I am again, writing a review for Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon on the DS – the first of the Rune Factory spin-off series I've tried.
Nintendo Life: Thanks to Rising Star Games, gamers in Europe have finally caught up on the Rune Factory series — until Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny launches on Wii in North America next week, that is. Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon on DS is the third and so far final portable instalment in the Harvest Moon spin-off, and the strongest so far.
