Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning is a relaxed and cute farming sim that's very child-friendly, provided kids are patient enough for the game's languid pacing, detail-oriented gameplay, and involved storyline. The game is full of friendly, hard-working role models. Farm animals can die of old age or disease, which some kids might find upsetting. Alcoholic beverages like wine can be consumed in the context of restoring stamina. (There is no drunkenness.)
What’s It About?
Like most games in the Harvest Moon series, HARVEST MOON: A NEW BEGINNING starts with the player moving to a new town to start a farm. Gameplay is open-ended and there's a lot to do, including growing crops, raising livestock, cooking, building, socializing with neighbors, and eventually dating and getting married. A New Beginning introduces the ability to customize your appearance (including gender and skin color), and rearrange the layout of the town by dragging and dropping buildings and scenery.
Is It Any Good?
Like its predecessors, Harvest Moon: A New Beginning is a slow-paced yet incredibly deep game that yields rich rewards for players who are willing to invest the time. Veterans of the Harvest Moon series will appreciate the ability to put their own personal stamp on the town and their character's appearance. Relationships are more sophisticated, too -- spouses prepare meals and even help out with chores on the farm. The game is a polished and an enjoyable starting point for people who are new to the series as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Harvest Moon compares to other farming sims. Is it a more, or less, realistic depiction of farm life?
What strategies did you use to court the boyfriend or girlfriend of your choice? Do you think these techniques work in real life?
Game Details
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
- Subjects: Language & Reading: following directions, reading comprehension, Math: money, Science: ecosystems and the environment, Social Studies: exploration, the economy, timelines, Hobbies: collecting, cooking, gardening
- Skills: Self-Direction: work to achieve goals, working efficiently, Emotional Development: empathy, Communication: friendship building, Responsibility & Ethics: fiscal responsibility, honoring the community
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Natsume
- Release date: November 6, 2012
- Genre: Simulation
- Topics: Friendship, Horses and Farm Animals
- ESRB rating: E for Comic Mischief, Use of Alcohol
- Last updated: August 26, 2016
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