So while playing Back To Nature on my PSTV just now I had to pause and ask this question that my lovely virtual pink haired bride brought to mind.

I wake up every morning and Popuri always says the same two things: the first asking if my pixelated dreams were about her, and the second - the one that brought this thread about - "keep up the good work. But don't overdo it."

That comment never really stood out to me before, but this time I thought in reply "My work really isn't that hard." then I began thinking about how Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons games were always more relaxed, even when they meant to bring a bit of a challenge. The system is so accessible and free that you almost have to try to lose in the earlier titles, and just not try at all in order to fail in the newer ones. This is part of it's charm though: the games are just fun. Not difficult, and never a chore, just simple relaxing fun.

But then I wondered...

What if a Harvest Moon or Story of Seasons game that made it a true challenge to keep your farm successful came out? If your farm budget was difficult to keep in the black, would you still play it? And would the challenge be welcome, or offputting?

So what do you think? Would you enjoy a Harvest Moon or Story of Seasons that was challenging? Or would you enjoy a game that was like them only challenging? Or would that ruin the experience for you?

Also yay for HM heart color themed poll choice selections (Red, Yellow, Black).

EEEeeehhh no thanks. I love Harvest Moon for how casually I can play it, the hot babes wonderful graphics, the amazing soundtrack, but mostly just for the casual gameplay.

I don't want to have to worry about the fact that the sun is going down, the fact that I didn't get any work done so I have to think about how I'm going to be able to pay for everything, several things like that. I don't need a stress simulator

However, for what it's worth, this sounds like an AMAZING idea for a farming game. It's just not harvest moon though. If it was some other game and not part of Harvest Moon / Story of Seasons, it could work.

I think games like this would be well served to have difficulty options to allow for more or less of a challenge.

I for one generally enjoy a challenge in a game once I understand the mechanics of it but until then I want to be able to casually play a game and enjoy it.