Video review: https://youtu.be/PjrzMvfXiao
After the disappointment that was Rune Factory 5 (it was just... ok), I was very ready to dive back into the gameplay that made me fall in love with the series with Rune Factory 3 Special.
Rune Factory 3 Special is a very good fantasy themed farming sim. It comes complete with all the farming elements, but also a lively town with a full cast of characters to get to know, surrounding wilderness to explore full of enemies to take down with the game’s combat system, and a story that, honestly, I think I might like more than Rune Factory 4. It is less bloated and more straight to the point in terms of the main plot, instead letting the characters shine.
This works in the game’s favor as the characters have always been a strong point in this series and Rune Factory 3 is no exception. I had a great time getting to know each character, completing quests for them, and yeah, there is a romance system too which I cannot deny is one of the highlights of the experience.
Not everything sticks though. The combat is still janky with its hitboxes and targeting, the UI is still not that great, and the quality of life could use some improvement, but overall, it is just a fun farming sim. The farming elements are fleshed out and not super tedious, the story is laidback and matches the setting perfectly, and the upgraded visuals are nice too. Not the highest of quality upgrades, but it gives it a nostalgic look and I cannot deny I love the approach.
It runs well too. I had no issues on the performance front. It runs just fine natively at 4k and at 144fps, coming with a little launcher to allow you to edit these settings.
Overall
Rune Factory 3 Special is a pretty easy recommendation to make. It is a great port of an already great game and I am glad that we are getting more of this series on PC. Rune Factory 5 left a sour taste in my mouth, so it is nice to get back on track.
After the disappointment that was Rune Factory 5 (it was just... ok), I was very ready to dive back into the gameplay that made me fall in love with the series with Rune Factory 3 Special.
Rune Factory 3 Special is a very good fantasy themed farming sim. It comes complete with all the farming elements, but also a lively town with a full cast of characters to get to know, surrounding wilderness to explore full of enemies to take down with the game’s combat system, and a story that, honestly, I think I might like more than Rune Factory 4. It is less bloated and more straight to the point in terms of the main plot, instead letting the characters shine.
This works in the game’s favor as the characters have always been a strong point in this series and Rune Factory 3 is no exception. I had a great time getting to know each character, completing quests for them, and yeah, there is a romance system too which I cannot deny is one of the highlights of the experience.
Not everything sticks though. The combat is still janky with its hitboxes and targeting, the UI is still not that great, and the quality of life could use some improvement, but overall, it is just a fun farming sim. The farming elements are fleshed out and not super tedious, the story is laidback and matches the setting perfectly, and the upgraded visuals are nice too. Not the highest of quality upgrades, but it gives it a nostalgic look and I cannot deny I love the approach.
It runs well too. I had no issues on the performance front. It runs just fine natively at 4k and at 144fps, coming with a little launcher to allow you to edit these settings.
Overall
Rune Factory 3 Special is a pretty easy recommendation to make. It is a great port of an already great game and I am glad that we are getting more of this series on PC. Rune Factory 5 left a sour taste in my mouth, so it is nice to get back on track.