Harvestella
Harvestellacombines pretending and JRPG elements within a beautiful environment to create a story journeying that ’s deeply enjoyable , but some shallow mechanic and performance issues admit the game back from its full potential . Players can farm , research dungeons , build friendships , and oppose alongside their party as they enquire the mystery of the Seaslight , four giant watch crystal that control the planet ’s time of year . WhileHarvestellaexceeds in its story and overall plot loop , it ’s hard not to liken the title to similar game that have presented much more in - astuteness versions of whatHarvestellasets out to do .
In many slipway , Harvestelladraws inspiration fromFinal Fantasyand other JRPGS when it comes to its storyline , include the ever - popular amnesia trope . Harvestella ’s protagonist begins the biz being rescued by a doctor after drop dead out during an upshot bid Quietus , a meter period between seasons in which the air fill with a deadly rubble . Upon awakening , the histrion character has no remembrance of their indistinguishability besides their name , and check that something about them has prevented the demise that typically companion venturing outside during Quietus . From there , participant will set out to discover the closed book of Quietus , the Seaslight , and the universe itself .
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Before the main story begins , actor will be able to make small changes to the protagonist ’s show , adjusting things like eye and hair color . However , those looking for a full-bodied character Jehovah will be let down - the friend ’s appearance is mostly pose in stone . Like the upcomingStory of Seasons , a non - binary characteroption is available inHarvestella , a welcome variety that ’s long delinquent for player characters .
The overarching storyline ofHarvestellais far too complex to summarize neatly , but the cosmopolitan assumption fence the agonist and a character named Aria - a scientist who has cryptically ended up in the yesteryear and is searching for a way back domicile - team up up to look into odd events tied to the Seaslight . Along the way they ’ll contact several other main character who will assist them along their journey , all of which are improbably well fleshed - out people with backstories that may even evoke some rip from the player . Several of thesecharacters can be woo inHarvestellaas well , but this unfortunately does n’t come into caper until the player has beaten the entire master storyline .
deplorably , this depth of character does n’t extend to those outside those in theHarvestellaprotagonist ’s intimate R-2 . Even in Lethe , the town where players take up residence , many townsfolk that are interacted with on a close - day-by-day fundament never even receive a first name . This is implausibly odd for a plot trying to emulate parts of the pretense genre , and detracts somewhat from overall immersion . Similarly , throughout all the world ’s metropolis , the same precise character theoretical account appear incredibly often , and since many are n’t given name it can be gentle at first glance to adopt someone is the same character from a premature side quest , only for them to be a total alien . There are no town case , either , redeem for Quietus , which just leave in everyone stay at heart .
Thefarming fundamental principle ofHarvestellaalso eschew the those typical of a simulation rubric in several instances , but not always in interesting way of life . Like many game , players will develop crops they can either sell now or march with a form of machinery , but the way these thing are promote is not done via the usual routes . As players go on through addressing the job at each season ’s Seaslight , they will enrol poof to come live on the farm which will unlock new power , like planting or water multiple works at once , as well as fresh planting biome .
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rather of upgrading tools via resources at a blacksmith , players will gain upgrade through reaching labor milestone similar toAnimal Crossing ’s Nook Milesfor each fairy , like harvesting a certain amount of harvest . This can sometimes be quite frustrating - for instance , the giant rocks that litter player ' farms and mostly affect crop layout ca n’t be destroyed until the queer from the net Seaslight chapter is recruited , many hours into the secret plan . Additionally , the fairies have a very little amount of canned dialogue that will be echo each time one of their associated tasks is done , meaning a player watering their craw could very well hear the same sound bite over a dozen times .
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Cooking is a surprisingly large and fun part ofHarvestella , used to recuperate stamina and HPwhile exploring dungeons . Players with a full stomach will course regain stamina , and break can be consume with party member while donjon cringe to eat up a repast together . look upon the food , this will sometimes unlock unique characters moments as well . Select regional dishes can also be brought to inns across the world in telephone exchange for hefty sums of in - plot currency Grilla , incentivizing crop mutant for recipes in a way many simulation games do not .
Players will explore an increasingly - large human beings apply an interesting overworld map grease monkey , and travel within each location is made exponentially easier through the use of fast travel structures called Motus Monolites . The game ’s story will take participant through a myriad of different maze - like donjon that are as much about flummox a way through as they are teras fights . While the plot does n’t feature any attainment to be flush - a unsatisfying deletion -Harvestellainstead features Jobs like Sky Lancer , Assault Savant , and Mage , which are its variant of fighting classes . These are unlatched as new reference are bring out , and can be advance by make Job Points via defeating enemies - however , each of these Job ’s skill trees are quite simplistic and easy for actor to make their way through .
While enemy do each have their own Job - specific weaknesses , combat as a whole is fantastically simplistic , with little move variance and a declamatory trust on button mashing . Bos fights inHarvestellaare where teamwork with one ’s party really shines , where with enough damage players can achieve a Break - where boss take extra damage temporarily - or Double Break , which allows a especial team move to be set off . role player will also encounter care , which are more knock-down monsters that mill around the hallways of donjon and must be carefully head off unless players are well - prepared for what ’s essentially a smallboss fighting inHarvestella .
The worldly concern ofHarvestellais utterly beautiful , with unequaled towns and gorgeous nature locales that can be genuinely veneration - inspiring . Unfortunately , this stunner is somewhat fall by issues in other country , as clunky and unenviable character aliveness in reduce scenes and figure pace drops hassle the statute title throughout . However , the secret plan ’s absolutely incredible and evocative soundtrack is its saving grace , and make it easier to pretermit these progeny when they pass off .
Harvestellais a game full of immersive environments , beautiful music , and an engaging and meaningful narrative for both its world and main character , which is enough to redeem the secret plan ’s more mediocre elements . There are several areas ofHarvestella , like it farming , animations , and societal model elements that would have greatly benefited from more astuteness and charge put into them , but despite these flaws the secret plan manages to be incredibly addictive . It ’s easier to notice these takings whencomparingHarvestellato games likeRune manufactory , but standing on its ownHarvestellais a fairly strong title that ’s worth players ' clock time . It may not be consummate , but it ’s very easy for musician to fall into a " just one more day " loop inHarvestellanonetheless as they uncover the mysteries of its universe .
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Harvestellais available for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam . Screen Rantwas provide with a Nintendo Switch computer code for the purpose of this inspection .
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