We bought this for our daughter after much reviewing on various websites, and we haven't regretted it. She loves the game, which teaches her patience, allows her to grow food and raise animals, and also allows her to enter her plants and animals in the in-game festivals. This game does also allow the player to "woo" and marry NPCs (computer characters) and have and raise children. There is an excellent work/reward system woven in, letting the player expand their homes, earn prizes and money, and have a happy family. Mature 8 year olds should be able to handle the need for patience and follow the directions to accomplish their goals.

I haven't played this exact version but I love all Harvest Moon Games, for I own 2. I agree that 8 and 9 is a little young, you have to understand that money is a necessity to play. Things need to be taken care of and to do that you need lots of it! My favorite Harvest Moon is Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility. There is no rush to help the harvest Goddess, no diety, no stupid sprites! You choose if you want to help that wierd floating lady with purple hair! You can ignore her requests and focus on raising a family (and your animals families too!). So If you do want a harvest moon game I suggest that one rather than this one or Magical Melodies.

I loooove this game to no ends, as well as the rest of the Harvest Moon series, but eight is far too young an age. When I was eight years old, the Harvest Moon experience was slightly overwhelming, and I sometimes forgot to feed my animals. Now, your animals don't live forever--this is where the problems starts. My eight year old brother played this game with me, as well as my seven year old cousin. When my brother forgot to feed his animal and it became sick, he absolutely didn't know what to do. Because he was so young, he spent money profusely and couldn't purchase the animal medicine, leading to his first cow to die. This practically traumatized him, and he just wouldn't buy any animals what-so-ever. The same thing happened to me when I was his age, but it wasn't the matter of me not being able to buy the medicine--it was just because I was playing Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life. My first cow died, and I didn't touch the game for a whole year. I think for this game 10+ is far more appropriate, considering the spending and understanding of income at their age. Other than that, I have nothing wrong with this game--things are just waaaaay to pricey (haha, I guess it's just this bad economy!) and some people are to young.