This page is for the post-split Natsume-published games. For the series known as Bokujou Monogatari in Japan and formerly known as Harvest Moon, see Story of Seasons.
Until 2014, the name Harvest Moon referred only to the Bokujou Monogatari series of games as they were published in the West and translated and adapted by Natsume. This series got its start when in early 2014, Marvelous AQL—the developers of the Bokujou Monogatari series—dropped Natsume as their publishing and localization company in the West, switching instead to XSEED Games, their Western division (who were already localizing the Rune Factory series). However, this left Natsume with the Harvest Moon name but no games to go along with it. As Harvest Moon made up most of their revenue and they still own the rights to the Harvest Moon brand name and logo, Natsume decided to make their own new series of farm sim games under the Harvest Moon label starting in 2014, using the Appci Corporation as the developer.
The games take inspiration from the classic Harvest Moon titles, such as Harvest Moon and Harvest Moon: Back to Nature, and feature many similarities to them. The general style is the same, blending farm sim and date sim elements, with the plot of restoring a farm and interacting with Eccentric Townsfolk, but with a stronger fantasy theme. Natsume still uses the terms they own such as "Harvest Goddess", "Harvest Sprites", etc. The Heart system of affection with romantic candidates has been replaced with the Notes system (and as a result, Heart Events are "Note Events").
Natsume’s games contain a similar style of gameplay to the original Bokujou Monogatari franchise, but they are in themselves not Bokujou Monogatari games or the continuation of them. They are similarly styled look-alikes using the Harvest Moon name Natsume retained. If you're looking for the original series, it can be found here under Story of Seasons.
These games are not available in Japan due to copyright reasons.
Don't confuse these games for the Neil Young song or album, although it could make one good soundtrack for the game, or the Blue Öyster Cult song which would make a decidedly less fitting soundtrack for the games.
Games
- Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley (Nintendo 3DS, 2014)
- Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories (Wii U, PC, iOS, Android, 2015)
- Harvest Moon: Skytree Village (Nintendo 3DS, 2016)
- Harvest Moon: Lil' Farmers (mobile, 2017; spinoff app aimed at toddlers and other young children)
- Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, 2017)
- Harvest Moon: Mad Dash (Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, 2019; spinoff)
- Harvest Moon One World (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2021)
- Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, 2023)
This series provides examples of:
- And Your Reward Is Parenthood: All of the games contain Romance Sidequests that eventually culminate in you and your love interest having a baby.
- Farm Life Sim: The player moves to a rural area to become a farmer. You can also befriend locals and get married.
- Food God: The characters worship the Harvest Goddess.
- Genre Throwback: The 2½D art-style and cast are meant to invoke the earlier Harvest Moon titles.
- In Name Only: While it does try to emulate them, the series has no official connection to the original Bokujou Monogatari titles, which are now localized as Story of Seasons in the West.
- Like Brother and Sister: Gareth tells the protagonist that Tabitha is like a sister to him, though some characters interpret them as having Belligerent Sexual Tension.
- The Rival: Tabitha and Gareth see each other as rivals. This is encouraged by their teacher Edmond.
