HARVEST MOON 64

Reviewed By: Christopher Morin
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: Nintendo 64
Produced by: Nintendo/Natsume
Price Range: $29-49
Learning curve time: 1 hr.
Age level: 7+
ESRB Rating: Everyone

Genre: Roleplaying Game (RPG)
Christian Rating: 4 of 5
   (slightly offensive)
Gameplay: 4 of 5
   (good)
Violence: 5 of 5
   (none)
Adult Content: 4 of 5
   (barely present)

"Harvest Moon 64" is a different kind of RPG, a fun, innocent game where you play the role of a young man who inherits a farm from his grandfather. In your “quest” you learn to take care of your farm, plant and harvest vegetables, interact with the townsfolk, and --if you're lucky-- maybe even get a girl's attention :)

Screenshot from 'Harvest Moon 64' This game promotes many helpful qualities in a person such as hard work, determination, devotion, kindness, and love. The only offensive material in the game comes from optional consumption of alcohol and a few references to “standard” RPG mythological stuff that plays no part in the game and requires careful attention to catch.

All in all this is a great game for people of all ages which imparts some good ideas and traits for everyday life. I would recommend “Harvest Moon 64” to anyone who enjoys video games and likes the idea of running a farm and being part of a close knit town.

Year of Release—1998

Positive—Not the norm. Harvest Moon takes the traditional RPG and turns it upside down. Characters no longer battle monsters or cast spells, but now take to the world armed with a ho and a bag of potato seeds (as well as many other tools and assortment of vegetables to choose from.) The game starts off easy enough; just clear a patch of field and start planting away. The real challenge comes as the game progresses. Soon you are waking up, planting new crops, harvesting ripe ones, feeding and milking your cows, sheering and feeding your sheep, collecting eggs from and feeding your chickens, chopping wood, visiting a future wife, and much more before going to bed and doing it all over again. The only negative aspect of this game may be the consumption of alcohol, but a player need not even partake in this aspect of the game to be successful. My Ratings: [4/5]
—YS, age 17

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.