Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town - E

Female lead character puts a new face on farming f

Publisher: Natsume Category/Genre: Video Games - Role Playing Games Platform: Game Boy Advance Price: $29.99 Graphics: Medium. Playability: Medium, The game requires a lot of strategy and persistence. Release Date: 07/26/2005 ESRB Rating: E

Common Sense Note

Parents should 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 who play this game may want to discuss 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 the 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?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jeremy Gieske

Similar to 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.

Players will quickly realize the major differences in this Mineral Town installment: The main character is female. 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. It looks like a lot of hard work is going to be required to make this a successful venture.

A lot of hard work is an accurate way to describe playing the game, too. There is a lot to be done, much of it every day. Fields need to be cleared, seeds planted, and crops watered. All of the animals, which can include sheep, chickens, cows and horses, require feeding, brushing and a daily friendly chat to keep them happy. And if this weren't enough, there is an entire town to explore with many people to meet. Players can talk to the townspeople, buy things from them, give gifts -- and even try to woo a future husband. As the seasons progress, the tasks change, and inevitably players end up with even more animals, crops, and challenges.

This is a tough game to play, and some players may get tired 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 there is a lot to like here. 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.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence 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).
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Positive reinforcement of good work ethics. Characters build strong and loyal friendships and healthy relationships. Good female role model.
	Commercialism Part of the greater Harvest Moon franchise.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Alcohol can be purchased, consumed and given as gifts.
	Educational Value