Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town Reviews
A faithful recreation, but why go back when Stardew has since perfected the genre?
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town's cutesy aesthetic is plagued with shallow and tedious gameplay.
Despite its age, simplicity, and lack of embellishments, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town proves the Bokujō Monogatari franchise has been on the money since the very beginning. Its content may feel a little sparse compared to its successors and competitors, but I can see myself returning to these lands long after the next harvest moon.
Story of Seasons Friends of Mineral Town is a wonderful return to the past that gives a good facelift to the original Game Boy Advance game. Despite not taking risks, its formula is very successful and delighted to all lovers of farm simulators, management and RPGs.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
We return to Mineral Town with a great facelift that bets on the simplicity of mechanics and simplicity in its menus and staging. We will find a very classic adventure in the style of Harvest Moon, where we get lost for days harvesting and improving our farm, but it is somewhat decaffeinated and empty in these times, being a very brief option in terms of ambition.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a must-play for both fans of the franchise, and gamers in love with farming oriented life-sims. It doesn't opt to break new ground, but instead play to its strengths, leaning on what made the experience great 17 years ago.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town takes a while to reveal its charms. The pace may put players not familiar with the rhythm of farming and relationship sims off, but for those invested they will be treated to a lovely, relaxing slice of idyllic rural life.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is simple and charming, but beneath the rather basic gameplay loop hides some surprisingly deep secrets. It brings back elements of farming games past, including marriage rivals and transient characters, while providing some major quality of life updates as well as a more freedom, such as limited character customization and a truly bizarre variety of farmyard pets. It's a cozy, welcoming little village, sure to charm any farming fan.
In a now-crowded field, this reboot of the noughties farm game retains the original's gentle dramas and nuanced characterisation
Overall, the game very much feels like the very best of the original Harvest Moon title mixed with the newer mechanics and ideas that have been developed in the Story of Seasons franchise. It's a perfect mesh of old and new that feels well pitched for both veterans and newcomers to enjoy. If you're looking for a relaxing game to calm your mind at the end of the day, then Story Of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is here to fill that gap.
Its laid-back gameplay and overall simplicity is extremely peaceful and addicting, but I would advise that new players manage their expectations.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town brings a classic back to life with 3D visuals and all of what people loved about it intact. But the comparative simplicity of the game's systems plus the high cost compared to similar games will possibly scare off players who don't already have a soft spot in their heart for the game.
Who says you can never go home again? Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral town takes an already great game in the storied franchise and throws it into HD, with a hefty bushel of new content along for the ride. Whether you're a nostalgic veteran like me or a greenhorn just starting out, Mineral Town is a worthy addition to your Switch library.
I feel like I will get some backlash for this, but I did not enjoy my time with Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town. I am not usually a fan of the farm sim genre, but I can tell other non-fans that this is not the game that will get them into it. It is a remake of a 22-year-old game, and for that, it gets credit for helping build this niche genre and for having little to build upon. But there are other options out there. Stardew Valley has trampled the Story of Seasons series under its hoof, and the Persona series has made the day-to-day grind exciting and meaningful. But if you love farm sims and you’re looking for a simpler, more relaxing alternative to Stardew Valley, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town will undoubtedly provide you with hours upon hours of content.
For someone who generally shies away from more casual games such as Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, it really did a lot to win me over.
If you were a huge fan of the original, or if you’ve never before played a farming sim, this will be right up your alley. If, however, you know your Portia from your Stardew, you won’t find anything new here.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town takes one of the better-remembered entries in this storied franchise and gives it a fresh coat of adorable paint. While feeling more casual, and a bit held back by its roots, this is the perfect return for anyone fond of the original release.
If you’re looking for something to fill that post-Animal Crossing hole in your life, or are just simply a fan of the farm sim genre in general, don’t miss out on this one.
Ultimately, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a serviceable and cute farming simulator, albeit a little shallow.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is perfectly shaped to fill that post-New Horizons void in your soul. If you were a fan of the original Harvest Moon game, you’ll find a lot of nostalgia in this retelling of the Mineral Town story, but those looking for complex characters or a compelling story to follow may well be left disappointed.