GameCube

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life

What is especially appealing about this video game is its lack of violence and action. True, it may bore children who are accustomed to frenzied games, but as placid as Harvest Moon is, it's also rich in features. Our testers are thrilled with the game. One tester was pleased that Harvest Moon is engrossing but not excessively addictive. This way, he feels that the game lasts longer because he doesn't play it obsessively. He insists, nevertheless, that it is very appealing to play.

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life is one of the best possible ways to break this depressing cycle, and break it we must. Unless you picked up any of its predecessors on other platforms, the chances are you own nothing like it. Some have labelled it an RPG, some call it a farming simulation, but in truth it's one of those delightful games that shirks classification by delivering strategy, simulation, role-playing and all manner of other concepts with such harmonious precision that its epic length - literally hundreds of hours from the start to one of several possible end sequences - counts far more in its favour than anything else. It's also one of a very few lengthy games that manages to remain fresh, appealing, and above all understandable at whatever pace you choose to play it.

Harvest Moon is a quirky farming simulation series that has been published for various console platforms for several years now. Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, for the GameCube, is the latest edition to hit the shelves.

Apesar de poder soar um pouco desgastante, "A Wonderful Life" encanta de uma maneira difícil de descrever em palavras. Ver sua fazenda proliferar, completa com um cavalo para montar, bichos de estimação, uma família e amigos é emocionante... não da mesma forma que um jogo de tiro traz adrenalina - mas nem por isso menos recompensador.

With the inclusion of the chapter system and the longer days, there is an absolute guarantee that A Wonderful Life will keep gamers captivated for countless hours. However, some of the changes to the Harvest Moon formula make A Wonderful Life less appealing to some gamers. However, the vast majority of the changes do change the game for the better and A Wonderful Life really ought to be part of just about everybody’s gaming library.

I never thought I would like HM - but was intrigued enough by the concept to take the chance and I am glad I have. It's given me the most use out of my Gamecube since launch day. It's also the first game that my girlfriend has enjoyed playing and has seen her actually take an interest in other games as well. Well worth checking out for any of you who fancy something that little bit different. Load it up, relax and experience the country life.

Farming simulation. That isn't exactly a phrase that makes you want to run to the store with your hard earned cash in hand. And yet Harvest Moon, a franchise based on nothing more than owning and operating a farm, has developed a huge fan base. The reasoning? Perhaps it's because Harvest Moon sends a purely positive message, especially compared to other games in the market place. It's all about growth and building something successful -- instead of wanton violence and destruction.

Anfangs zieht sich das Gameplay sehr schleppend dahin. Allerdings sollte man nicht vergessen, dass das Spiel im Frühjahr beginnt. Es dauert eben eine Weile, bis Blumen, Wiesen und Felder ihre volle Pracht entfalten. Ist es dann so weit, ist man von den zahllosen Details angenehm überrascht. Die meisten Pluspunkte heimst das Spiel durch die verlängerte Lebenszeit von 30 Jahren ein.

Enfin ! Depuis le temps que l'on espérait voir débarquer un épisode d'Harvest Moon sur notre bon vieux continent. Personnellement, je m'étais promis de m'essayer un jour à un épisode de cette série, depuis les images de la version Super Nes, aperçues à l'époque du grand Player One. Et l'attente n'était pas vaine. Il est vrai que ce titre n'est pas révolutionaire, que son aspect graphique laisse à désirer, et que son ambiance sonore est un tantinet minimaliste, mais il possède un caractère, une atmosphère commune à aucune autre, qui fascine et étonne. De même, son principe de jeu et son intérêt ne cessent de passionner au long des saisons. Peut-être pas un jeu mythique, mais un bon jeu, sincèrement, qui mérite que l'on s'y attarde.