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Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Female character puts a new face on farming sim.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Positive reinforcement of good work ethics. Characters build strong and loyal friendships and healthy relationships. Good female role model.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    At the beginning, players hit a character with a variety of farm implements. Other than that, there is virtually no violence in the game, although animals can die if neglected (and from natural causes).
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Part of the greater Harvest Moon franchise.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol can be purchased, consumed and given as gifts.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town was written by Jeremy Gieske

Parents need to know that there is virtually no objectionable content beyond players' ability to buy and consume alcohol and give it as gifts. Instead, there are positive messages about building both a strong work ethic and healthy relationships. The female main character is new for Harvest Moon games, and may serve as a good role model.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about what parts of the game they feel are fun, and why. For example, is it the building up of the farm, getting more advanced tools, or forming a relationship with townspeople? Also, ask your kids what they think about the female main character. Were they surprised? Why aren't there more games with female protagonists?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

More on Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town

What’s the Story?

As in other Harvest Moon titles, kids playing HARVEST MOON: MORE FRIENDS OF MINERAL TOWN start with a run-down, abandoned farm and attempt to build it into a thriving family farm. A frazzled businesswoman, tired of the stress from her city job, sees an ad in the paper for a farm. After she buys it, she's surprised to find the farm far from being operational and even further from being profitable. A lot of hard work is going to be required to make this a successful venture.

There is a lot to be done, much of it every day. Fields need to be cleared, seeds planted, and crops watered, and all of the animals require feeding, brushing, and a friendly chat to keep them happy. There is also an entire town to explore, where players can talk to townspeople, buy things, give gifts -- and even woo a future husband. As the seasons progress, the tasks change, and inevitably players end up with even more animals, crops, and challenges.

Is It Any Good?

This is a tough game to play, and some players may tire of the repetitive tasks. At some point, watering every single plant in the field (with a watering can of all things) seems more like real work than real fun.

But the farming premise feels fresh, as does the focus on time and relationship management. Gameplay reinforces positive social behaviors like honesty, loyalty, and friendship. Finally, the game offers a challenge to even the most dedicated of role-playing gamers. With so much to do -- and so many different paths to take -- the game has a lot of replay potential.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Natsume
Released on: 7/26/2005, Price: $29.99
ESRB Rating: E

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Great Game, Strong Heroine

    I have always been a gan of the Harvest Moon franchise, but I haven't played this one. I played Harvest Moon: Friends Of Mineral Town, which is an exact parallel, so here's what I know. Parents have virtually nothing to worry about in the this game. The player can befriend townsfolk, charm the bachelors, grow crops, collect magical balls that grant wishes, talk to 'harvest sprites', raise cows and chickens, and even have a child. You can also drink wine, but you do not get drunk. The only questionable alcohol experience is in Harvest Moon DS in a heart event with Flora. She has a wine she likes that isn't carried in the inn, so she goes to the bar. You can try it and see if you like it to make her happy, and then you are knocked unconscious. It's humorous. Back to the child, it's quite innocent how the boy is conceived. If you are kind to your husband for about a month, you will wake up one morning feeling 'ill'. You go to the doctor with your husband and he tells you you're pregnant. When the child is born, I believe it shows the husband pacing or something similar. The Harvest Moon games never show the actual birth of the child. The scene will go back to the mother (you) holding the child. Then you name your baby boy. It's always a boy, except I believe in Another Wonderful Life, Island Of Happiness, and Harvest Moon DS Cute you can have a baby girl. Another thing parents may want to know about are SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS. Some parents may not let their children play things with magic or magical creatures. There are some magical balls you can collect that can grant you a wish. There are also harvest sprites. I say this is for children 8 and older, mostly because the game takes basic reading ability.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    Kids ages: 7, 14
    I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 1.0

    waste of time unless you're a farmer...

    HATE the WHOLE SERIES!!!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    i loved this game

    its about time that they put a girl as a lead in these games. my kids love the havest moon series

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 4.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy and give it 4.0

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