The wholesome game we've all come to cherish, known as Harvest Moon, made its initial debut in Japan in 1996, courtesy of Amccus for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It subsequently arrived in North America in 1997, facilitated by Natsume, and finally reached Europe in 1998 with the support of Nintendo.
Created by Yasuhiro Wada, he wanted to develop a game that promoted and celebrated the peaceful living found in rural life.
From Harvest Moon Official Fandom
Originally named “Bokujō Monogatari,” meaning “farm story”, it was eventually released worldwide after its local success in Japan and was renamed Harvest Moon.
Humble beginnings
Harvest Moon introduced players to a simple yet wholesome concept that takes on the role of a farmer tasked to manage a run-down farm. Players then plant crops, tend to livestock, befriend cats and dogs, and build relationships with the town’s folk. Sounds familiar? If you know popular games like Stardew Valley, it follows a similar concept but with a modern take.
Like me, you must wonder why they settled for Harvest Moon. Upon research, the term refers to the full bright Moon close to the start of Autumn, the season that yields the most amount of crops. Before the time of electricity, farmers would rely on the moon to depict when to harvest because it provided necessary light as they continued to work late into the night. Cool, like the cool Autumn breeze, right?
From Amazon Freevee Official GIPHY
As the series continued in popularity, the game's features expanded, including mechanics such as fishing, mining, cooking, and raising a family. After a few good years, the publisher that localized games for America decided to create their own Harvest Moon iteration under the same name. Its Japanese half continued the series under the name “Story of Seasons” thanks to the publishing dispute.
The cultural yield
The game has left a lasting impact on the gaming sphere. They introduced a unique and refreshing genre that focused on the “comfy” aspects of life as seen in today's gaming world. Games that are not violent, perfect for young and old gamers, and promote a comforting escape from the day-to-day.
From Luigi Salas - Motion Designer Official GIPHY
The game may have its ups and downs, but the seeds of its labor have provided a bountiful forest full of aspiring developers in the gaming industry. Just recently, Natsume released Harvest Moon: One World for its fans to enjoy, ready to be played on PC, Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.
It remains a beloved franchise, offering players a ticket to their own piece of peace filled with cuddly animals, mouth-watering crops, and worldly exploration.
What was your favorite Harvest Moon moment?
If relaxing is part of your daily agenda, you need to unwind to the content you love the most without any interruption. With PLDT Home Fiber Plus plans, your content consumption will never buffer, thanks to the fiber-fast speeds PLDT Home offers! Apply for an upgrade today so that you can stay comfy at home!