Harvest Moon (2014 video game series)

Harvest Moon is a farm simulation role-playing video game series published by Natsume Inc. The main objective of the games is to rebuild a run-down old farm and turn it into a successful one.

Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon series logo.
Genre(s)Life simulation
Farming simulation
Role-playing game
Puzzle
Developer(s)Appci Corporation (2014–present)[a]
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
First releaseHarvest Moon: The Lost Valley
4 November 2014
Latest releaseHarvest Moon: Home Sweet Home
23 August 2024

Previously, Natsume Inc. published the series Bokujō Monogatari in North America under the title Harvest Moon. In 2014, Marvelous, the developer and original publisher of the Bokujō Monogatari series, decided to have their own American division, Xseed Games, take over North American distribution. However, due to Natsume Inc.'s owning the rights to the Harvest Moon name, the latest titles in the series were rebranded as Story of Seasons, while Natsume Inc. began to produce their own series under the Harvest Moon name.[2]

Origins

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The name "Harvest Moon" was originally used for the series created by Marvelous known in Japan as Bokujō Monogatari (牧場物語, lit. Ranch Story). Natsume Inc. initially distributed this series under the name Harvest Moon outside of Japan until 2014. At that time, Natsume Inc. maintained the rights to the name Harvest Moon when Marvelous announced that it would have its subsidiary, Xseed Games, take over North American distribution.[2] Because of this, Xseed began localizing the series in North America under the title Story of Seasons, beginning with the release of the game of the same name.

In 2007, Natsume Inc. took the opportunity to develop their own video game series using the name Harvest Moon in North America and Europe, and in 2014, it released Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley, first farm simulator game in the new series. The resulting spin-off series, at least since Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley, has caused some degree of confusion among fans and video game news sources, due to the game not actually being a part of the same series as the game was titled Harvest Moon before it.[3][4]

List of games

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Title Details

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 4 November 2014
  • EU: 19 June 2015
  • AU: 20 June 2015
Release years by system:
2014 – Nintendo 3DS
Notes:
  • The first non-spin-off released without involving the developers of Story of Seasons.
Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories

Original release date(s):[5][6]
  • WW: 14 January 2016
Release years by system:
2016 – iOS, Android
Harvest Moon: Skytree Village

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 8 November 2016
  • EU: 2 June 2017[7]
  • AU: 30 May 2017
Release years by system:
2016 – Nintendo 3DS

Original release date(s):[8]
  • WW: 15 November 2017
Release years by system:
2017 – Microsoft Windows
2018 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS
2020 – Xbox One
Harvest Moon: Mad Dash

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 29 October 2019
Release years by system:
2019 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
2020 – Xbox One
Harvest Moon: One World

Original release date(s):[9][10]
  • NA: 2 March 2021
  • EU: 5 March 2021
Release years by system:
2021 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos

Original release date(s):[11]
  • NA: 26 September 2023
  • EU: 6 October 2023
Release years by system:
2023 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home

Original release date(s):[12]
  • WW: 23 August 2024
Release years by system:
2024 – Android, iOS

Reception

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Aggregate review scores
Game Metacritic
Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley (3DS) 46[13]
Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories (iOS) 68[14]
Harvest Moon: Skytree Village (3DS) 59[15]
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (Switch) 62[16]
Harvest Moon: One World (Switch) 52[17]
Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (Switch) 72[18]

Notes

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  1. ^ Formerly known as Tabot, Inc. before 1 June 2018

References

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  1. ^ "Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos". Numskull Games. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Moriarty, Colin (28 May 2014). "Harvest Moon Returns in Story of Seasons on 3DS". IGN. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  3. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (3 June 2014). "Natsume Announces Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley for a 2014 Release on 3DS". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  4. ^ Campbell, Evan (3 June 2014). "Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley Announced – IGN". IGN. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  5. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (2 June 2015). "Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories coming to PC and Wii U this winter". VG247. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  6. ^ Nelson, Jared (14 January 2016). "'Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories' Finally Launches on iOS as a Fully Paid Game". TouchArcade. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Harvest Moon: Skytree Village". Nintendo. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  8. ^ Romano, Sal (18 September 2020). "Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Special Edition Complete now available for Xbox One, Windows 10". Gematsu. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  9. ^ Romano, Sal (12 May 2020). "Harvest Moon: One World announced for Switch". Gematsu. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  10. ^ Ivan, Tom (16 September 2020). "Harvest Moon: One World for Nintendo Switch has been delayed to March 2021". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  11. ^ Mateo, Alex (6 April 2023). Natsume Confirms Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos Game for Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC". Anime News Network. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. ^ Romano, Sal (15 August 2024). "Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home launches August 23". Gematsu. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Harvest Moon 3D: The Lost Valley". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories". Metacritic. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Harvest Moon: Skytree Village". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Harvest Moon: Light of Hope". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Harvest Moon: One World". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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