GameCube

Harvest Moon: Magical Melody

Natsume wised up. Harvest Moon: Magical Melody has finally returned the Harvest Moon series to its roots, with the emphasis being on freedom of action and farming per se as opposed to just "making friends and raising a family", the flawed emphasis of the last two, ultimately failed installments. The end result? A game that’s actually fun and addictive, just like Back To Nature was, way back on the original Playstation. Good move, guys. Knock out a few of these glitches I mentioned, and you’re finally back on track with this series. All hail the new Natsume…

Some people get it and some don't. If you're one who does, then you won't easily find an experience more magical than this one. Factor in how long it'll all remain fresh and you have a clear winner.

The appeal of this game lies within the complex results your interactions and decisions generate. There is also a four-player mode where up to four players can take part in mini-games based on some of the gameplay features found in the single-player mode. There is horseracing, mountain climbing and fish catching events that offer a nice diversion. The overwhelming replay value is to be found in the single-player mode. Even though this game may look like it's got Playskool written all over it, it can be very challenging. Don't underestimate it until you've tried it.

This is a really cute game! There’s a whole lot to do, and I just wish I had more time to spend with it. Hopefully this summer I’ll be able to really sit down and enjoy it. A nice choice for families and all ages, and one that is guaranteed to last a long time.

Overall, I thought this game was fantastic. It kept me entertained for many hours, and it is a game that I am sure I will revisit many times. I am eagerly anticipating any new additions that there might be to Harvest Moon series!

Harvest Moon: Magical Melody will be the final GameCube version, and it is by far the best. The sheer depth of gameplay will impress even the most seasoned veterans, and the difficulty is there as well. While it will be a bit of a struggle for new players, Magical Melody is well worth the learning curve. The package isn’t perfect, suffering from dated graphics and bland audio, but it has it where it counts. For anyone who considers themselves a true Harvest Moon fan, this one simply can’t be passed up.

If nothing else, Magical Melody shows that innovation can be done even in a simple theme like farming. Had it not been for the poor presentation in the sound and graphics side of the game, it could have been a spectacular title. Instead, it slides in at good, with some improvements badly needed. That being said, there's no getting around the fact that this title is simply a really fun game, which cannot be described by any numbering system. For veterans to the Harvest Moon series as well as those who have never picked up a watering can in their life, this title is recommended to all. It may come as a surprise just how interesting a game it is.

Magical Melody is a fun and addictive GameCube title that is definitely worth playing for fans of the franchise and anybody else interested in Harvest Moon.

The Harvest Moon games have enjoyed a sort of cult following that defies explanation to those who haven't played the games. As a result, publisher Natsume continues to bring out new games in the series just about each year, and while the series never changes very much, it still offers the same strangely compelling gameplay that keeps fans coming back for more. Magical Melody, the latest in the series, is sort of a cross between A Wonderful Life and Animal Crossing, and the result is arguably the best Harvest Moon yet to appear on the GameCube.

Overall, this is a game to buy. It's only $40 or so and it has a lot of replay value. You can play either sex; have numerous combinations of marriages, furniture, places to live and so on. This is definitely a game worth buying and keeping. And it's such a change from the normal shoot’em up games or even RPGs. You create things in this game and you feel good about it. Not to mention that there's so much to do in town that it really does become addicting. My advice, whether you be male or female, give it a chance. It takes a lot from the older NES version and adds a lot of new fun elements to make it a worthwhile game.

Which is a shame, because it's easy to get lost in the world of Harvest Moon, and the game as a whole is entrancing. There need to be more games like this on the market. It's certainly the best Harvest Moon game in recent years, and it really comes close to greatness -- if only it had been paced a little better, then everyone would be able to enjoy it. As it is, it's a fun game for someone who has a lot of time on his or her hands, and a real trial for anyone else.