Harvest Moon: Back To Nature. What I believe was the sixth installment in the series, Back To Nature set forth some new and very interesting changes from the series' traditional formula. These changes combined with the changes set forth by Harvest Moon 64, are what really started molding the Harvest Moon series into what it is today, and that is one of the many reasons that those two titles hold a very special place in this gamer's heart, but more on that later.

Change is good....sometimes. So how about the changes made here? Well, if you had been following the series in order, from the SNES debut, up to Back To Nature, then you immediately noticed many differences between this one and the others. In fact, somewhat contrary to the Harvest Moon series' style, Natsume actually changed up a number of things between this title and it's predecessor, rather than just making a minor change or two like usual. It's also the last Harvest Moon to my knowledge to include the Hothouse which oddly was introduced only one installment in the series prior to this one (I miss it so bad!).

So what new things did Back To Nature bring to the table that weren't in the previous installments?
-New villagers

-A fruit tree on your farm, and a honey supply to bring in more money (both of which produce with no work from you)

-A fish pond on your farm. Yep, more money. (Your farm was a virtual gold mine in this one)

-The Harvest Sprites serve as farm hands....though they are fairly lousy at their jobs...

-New items

-New crops

And some more beside that. As any Harvest Moon fan knows, that was quite a bold step compared to the small amout of change that seemed to be typical of Natsume in the HM series.

So as you can see, this installment was definitely worth a Harvest Moon fan's time and money, and held many surprises for them. Now to see how these changes --along with a few others- panned out.


Graphics: 10/10
Incredible.

Realism was definitely not the approach that Natsume was shooting for in the graphics department with Back To Nature, but what they did shoot for, they hit right on the head: a light hearted approach that was cute, but not so much that it would be off-putting to a serious gamer.

All of the villagers, animals, and even plants, trees and buildings, are all very well designed graphichally. What I mean by that is that they didn't suffer from any of the pixelation that was common in many games on the PSX, let's face it, the PSX had the best graphics of it's day, but it also sported many a pixelated games. Those were good for systems in it's day, but these graphics are even better. Everything looks extra smooth, and animates wonderfully.

The environments are typically very brightly colored, and vibrant in every way, like looking at a hippy's bedroom through a kaleidoscope, only it doesn't look nearly as hideous or cause you to have a lifelong fear of flowers. Simply put, these environments just bleed pure happiness. This is one of those games that make it hard to be depressed while you play it, and let you escape into a fairytale world...the modern fairytale worlds, not the creepy old ones with blood and horror and all that cheery stuff.

Another major change made here is that the map is all kinds of messed up, but in the best way. No longer is your farm comfortably situated at the end of the known world. No, now your farm lies nearly smack dab in the middle of everything. Look at you go! Moving on up in the world. Quick, go get the beans on the grill, but be sure not to burn them. Sadly, I expect that ninety percent of the readers of this review won't get that last reference. Another joke lost on generation gaps...I need an old person to talk to now. An old person in a DE-luxe apartment (preferably in the sky).

Also of honorable mention (honorable?) is the opening screen. I literally sat there staring wide-eyed at the screen when I saw the way the grass was designed. It took a 32 bit gamer's breath away to see that grass swaying so beautifully in the breeze. Too bad they couldn't make that effect work in the actual gameplay, but it was a good call on Natsume's part not to try it.

Highlights:
-Some of the smoothest graphics you'll find on the PlayStation

-Surroundings so colorful, it looks like a box of Crayolas threw up on a rainbow...or is it vice versa?

-Wavy Grass is pretty...

-Gave me an excuse to make an old person style joke


Sounds: 9/10
Excellent.

Excellent says it all for me, but proper reviewing dictates that I have to actually talk about it, but who am I kidding? I love talking.

The music, oh the music. Beautifully composed tunes that --much like the graphics-- scream "HAPPY!" at you the whole time you play.

But hey, anyone can compose a good happy tune, right? Well, most can, Natsume however did you one (or nine-ish) better, and gave us a new happy-go-lucky tune for each season that, along with a special happy tune for each girl's "Heart scenes", festivals, various locations on the map, and a few others, are sure to get the happy juice flowing in your virtual farmer brain in sixty seconds or less. If it doesn't, you can email Natsume and tell them so, and they'll give you $1,000 in consolation money. Trust me, I'm a random person on the internet.

There is however, one thing that makes me dislike the audio a little, namely the Winter them; it's so sad. I shudder to think of it, it's that bad...almost. In all seriousness though, the Winter tune is very somber, and after extended exposure time to it, it actually becomes almost depressing. Weird in a Harvest Moon title, right? All of these graphics screaming happiness, coupled with a depressing tune, and all green things dying...it creates a bit of an emotion war inside of you. Just...try not to think about it.

The sound effects are also great, and are what bumped the rating back up to nine, after the Winter theme cost the game two points from it's otherwise perfect score. From the moos, to the bleating, to the tool sound effects, it all sounds perfect.

The only negative aspect behind the sound effects is the beep beep beeping that you hear every time you talk to someone. You know how it goes, the developers decide that it's best not to have voice acting (and with an open world setting like this, they're probably right), so they give you written text, and each letter beeps as it's printed. Typical of any Harvest Moon game, and many other titles such as The Legend of Zelda, but the fact that it's common doesn't make it any more desirable for the ears. Kind of like the reality show epidemic: every channel has them, and there's nothing we can do about it, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy suffering through them.

In all seriousness though, the beeping doesn't really do anything to hurt the sound any, I just felt that there should at least be mention made of them in the audio breakdown.

Also noteworthy is the fact that I actually got a copy of each of the tunes in this game. Yes, I enjoyed them that much. All in all, the audio here is impressive, and a joy to listen to, so turn those speakers up when you play this one!

Highlights:
-Music so happy happy happy, it'd make Phil Robertson proud

-Great sound effects, even if it does have more beeping than a Disney channel re-airing of an R rated film


Story: 7/10
Very Good.

Okay, so the opening story is once again the same old story about taking over a dead old man's farm. I couldn't include any spoilers on this one if I tried, since we've heard it so many times before in this series. However, the story doesn't end there. No, there are five bachelorettes in the village (of course), each with her own personal story for you to learn gradually by getting better acquainted with her and her loved ones, as well as some of her pivotal life events that you will take place in yourself. And herein lies the beauty of the Harvest Moon approach to storylines: you get different portions of each person's story (not just the bachelorettes) revealed to you depending on who you befriend, and how you approach them. You also affect what happens in the lives of others sometimes, directly as well as indirectly.

Indeed, there really is more story here than I could tell in this review if I tried. And while Harvest Moon titles tend to seem shallow as far as their story is concerned, that perception is only surface deep, and will soon melt away as you begin taking the time to explore the game for yourself. By the time your first in-game year ends, you'll most definitely be finding the storylines to be more fluid and player-influenced than you would have expected from a farm simulation.

So with plenty of story to uncover and alter, Back To Nature earns a high mark in the story category. If only the opening story were deeper...

Highlights:
-Several non-linear stories to follow

-Stories that affect other stories make following stories very storyful or something along those lines


Depth: 10/10
Incredible.

Again, it's a farming simulation, how deep could it be, right? Well, with six ways to go through the game (single, or married to any one of five girls), each with it's own story variations, several crops and livestock to raise (optional), over twenty villagers to interact with and befriend (each with their own story), story developments that --much like real life-- unintentionally alter other stories, as well as semi-random life events, and multiple farm and house expansions available, and secrets to be discovered, this one is pretty rich to say the least.

Highlights:
-Secrets and stories and crops, oh my!


Addictiveness: 10/10
Incredible.

Okay, so you already know that there are five girls that you can choose to marry, resulting in six alternate major character storylines to see and alter or not alter, and twenty or so other stories to follow as you wish, but can this one offer you a reason to continue to play through all six times (more if you want to explore all story paths)? Most definitely. The stories make you play through it, but the other gameplay features and optional variations ensure that you have fun along the way. After all, who wants to play through a boring game, just to get a good story? That would be like trying to sit through a Christina Aguilera concert because the man at the booth promised there would be a group performing afterward that you could actually enjoy listening to; it just isn't worth it.

Not into games that take that much thinking, planning, and careful story manipulating? No worries! You can play it without worrying about all of that fancy-pants stuff, and just play it regular-pants style. Yes, I really just said that.

Simply put, Back To Nature can be as complex or as simple as any Simulation or Casual gamer could want it to be. Whatever your approach, this one has a style to fit you. I'm going to finish this section now, before I make any more clothing related statements. It's beginning to just feel weird...

Highlights:
-Plenty of depth is available for the more hardcore simulation fans, but it can also be as simple as the Casual gamer wants it to be

-Fancy or not, your pants are welcome!

-I've finally stopped talking about pants


Difficulty: 2/10
Extremely Easy.

This game is easy. In fact, it's so easy that I just found out while writing this review, that you can actually "lose" the game, or I suppose the more appropriate way of wording it would be, you can get the "bad" ending.

So yeah, you can lose, but you almost have to try to lose. Basically, you get three years to make a small amount of progress, (I won't say how much) otherwise the villagers tell you to pack up your things and get out. Yeah, so much for that happy and nice front they put up for the past three years, huh? I can just picture how it really happened all of those years in the village: "Okay, good luck at the farm! Bye!" Then the door closes behind you, and "I can't stand that guy. I hope he leaves soon". Happy. I also hear tale that your wife can divorce you,l if you don't do well or keep the relationship cared for, but I've yet to see for certain. If it is possible, then it must be pretty difficult to make that happen as well.


Overall: 9.2/10
Excellent.

What do you get when you combine top of the line graphics with memorable tunes, good sound effects, plenty of depth, loads of addictiveness, and light-hearted gameplay? A 9.2. You also get Harvest Moon: Back To Nature. Natsume certainly stepped up their game with this one, and they knocked it out of the farm....park...place. I could go on and on about how good this one is (I think I've proven that already in this review, haven't I?), but I'm trying to stop myself. I can't hold back much longer though, so I advise you to get out while you can.


All things considered, Back To Nature was not only a pivotal moment in the Harvest Moon series, but also quite the fun little game. I would suggest it to anyone looking for a new or different game experience, as well as anyone who enjoys Simulations or Casual gaming. As for Harvest Moon fans, this game is a must play, especially if you'd like to see how Harvest Moon became what it is today, or enjoy the unique features that Back To Nature offers. One way or the other, this is a memorable title, and a great addition to an already great series. My personal rating is no less than a perfect ten, and this game earns every bit of it. But then, I guess that's what happens when you mix one of the best Video Game series ever made, with one of the greatest Video Game Consoles ever made, right?

   Amazing review as always. Great detail, some comedy (even if I didn't understand a few jokes ). But I have a feeling Natsume isn't going to give me $1000 if I tell them the music didn't get me going in under a minute....... Anyway, as somebody who is looking for a good game to start off in the series, would you recommend this one or Harvest Moon 64 first?

patar4097 : Whaaaa? Of course they will! Do you think I would do something like post a lie on the internet? You can't put anything on the internet that isn't true... lol

Thank you for the feedback, man! As for the starting point, this one would probably be best, since it's a better indication of what the more current titles are like. while Harvest Moon 64 has more of the classic Harvest Moon feel to it. Also something to note is that Harvest Moon 64 doesn't run well on Vizzed, as it suffers from extreme lag issues. Sadly, I haven't found a way to emulate Harvest Moon 64 without lag, on Vizzed or offline. But yeah, this one is actually a slightly better title, I think.

Do I have to say it again? Oh well, I will anyways. You are a killer reviewer, the best on Vizzed! I love seeing Harvest Moon reviews by you, it seems to be one of your favorites if not favorite games and you can just feel it in your review. Great amount of detail with out ever being boring. This is really just a great review.

Your review is so terrible at being bad. I have nothing to say...but great job on this review you made. So have a nice day.

GenesisJunkie : Thank you! I really appreciate the compliment. And yes, it's definitely one of my favorite games, and it's easily my favorite series. I haven't found many game series' that are as consistent in their quality as Natsume has been with Harvest Moon. And I enjoy writing reviews about games that I really love like this one. It's just so easy.

supercool22 : Thanks.

Another  great review one of the best I ever read I have never played Harvest moon but I might give it a try just wish I could play that one
but as soon I can I will keep the great reviews coming.

TheReaper7290 : Thanks a ton. Yeah, this is one of the best Harvest Moon titles on Vizzed. For now you can try Friends of Mineral Town on the GBA, as it's very similar to this one. I couldn't really pick which one of the two is best though. I hope you enjoy whichever you try.