RPGamer: "Overall, this is a rather nice game, which I recommend to anyone who likes Harvest Moon games, who would like Harvest Moon games if not for the fact that the gameplay gets repetitive after a while, or who liked a few Harvest Moon games but became annoyed with how they all seem to be remakes of each other."
Given that it is a spin-off of Harvest Moon, it isn’t surprising that romance is a part of Rune Factory. But what may catch someone off guard is how much the games offer. These titles offer lots of people they can spend time with, some of them showing how many different kinds of species live in this fantasy world. They are people who are capable at performing certain jobs and surviving against monsters. Their storylines also can be quite engaging and fun. Essentially, they can go above and beyond.
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.
