This is probably the best Harvest Moon game that has ever been made. Not only is there so much to do-- almost overwhelmingly so-- but the characters of this game are some of the best the series has offered in years. With almost as much dialogue as Rune Factory 4, I, well, felt like I was playing RF4 while I played this! Not to say there is an amazing story- it's the same story as ever. Just a person taking up a farm and living on the land. There's just something nice about communicating with NPCs that feel more like actual people than cardboard cutouts.

I love this game so much. And I wish they would make the writing that was in this the standard. I understand farming sims are farming first and characters second- maybe even third or fourth. I just feel like it doesn't have to be like that. It shouldn't be. You play cozy games to relax. (Though to be honest- with so much to do in this game- it hardly felt like I was relaxing as much as I was hustling the crap out of my life LOL)

But- point being- it's not just about you and your farm. There are other people in town. Christ- one of the major selling points of the farming sim genre is getting married and having kids. Don't you want your spouse to be interesting to get to know- to talk to?

If you love character driven narratives- play this game. You won't regret it. And if you just play for the farming and the challenge- still get this. It's the best of both worlds. That's what makes this game so great, there's something here for everyone.