Harvest Island Beginnings

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 66 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Harvest Island Beginnings Game Cover
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Play the first chapter of Harvest Island, an upcoming pixel-art, cute, semi-farming simulator set on a remote island. Take on the role of Will and help your sister catch a raccoon to offer to the gods. Inspired by Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, and Rune Factory.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews
story7 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and a cute art style that many players find appealing.
  • The demo has potential with interesting mechanics and a storyline that hooks players emotionally.
  • The sound design and music are soothing, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
  • The control scheme is clunky and confusing, making gameplay frustrating for some players.
  • The dialogue between the main characters is often seen as excessive and off-putting, with the brother's toxic behavior towards his sister being a major complaint.
  • The demo is very short and lacks substantial gameplay variety, primarily focusing on fetch quests.
  • story24 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and emotionally resonant, particularly appreciating character development and dialogue. However, others criticize it for being off-putting, with toxic relationships and a lack of depth, leading to a sense of boredom or frustration. Overall, while some players are excited about the potential of the narrative, others feel it falls short, particularly in its execution and pacing.

    • “I'm hooked; even in a short time-frame, I'm emotionally invested in the story and the characters.”
    • “There is no doubt you will be immersed in some way with this interesting story of Harvest Island.”
    • “The main character, Will, is very interesting in that he's not immediately overly friendly - he's got character, emotions, and feelings, unlike the Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons protagonists, which are usually just blank slates.”
    • “As it sits, however, the storyline is off-putting enough that unless sibling protagonists with toxic relationships are your jam, I'd just avoid it.”
    • “The story is non-existent and there is nothing special about the game so far.”
    • “Everything looks really nice, the art and visuals are pleasing to the eyeballs, but the story... ahh, this might sound mean, but the brother is toxic and the sister is annoying as hell.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and charming art style, particularly the character artwork and sprites. However, some users noted inconsistencies in character sizing and pixel art quality, suggesting that while the visuals are appealing, there is room for improvement in certain areas. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, enhancing its promise and intrigue.

    • “A very promising game, with a beautiful art style.”
    • “The graphics were good, the sprites look good, and the character art is beautiful.”
    • “The artwork is immediately beautiful, especially in terms of characters.”
    • “While the demo was pretty basic and short, the art style is pretty cute, and it does have some mystery to it.”
    • “The art style is cute even though I'm suspecting this could take some dark tones possibly from the facial features of some of the characters.”
    • “The graphics (the sprites, the scenery, the portraits) were seamless, with no glitches or problems.”
  • gameplay10 mentions

    The gameplay is described as cute and relaxing, but lacks standout mechanics, with some users noting it feels slow due to excessive dialogue. While there are a few interesting features, such as treating or singing to animals and fishing mechanics, the overall experience feels raw and in need of refinement. Controls are easy to navigate, but the choice of RPG Maker for a gameplay-focused title raises questions.

    • “At least there are a few interesting mechanics such as giving treats or singing to animals.”
    • “Controls are easy and the mechanics seem easy enough too.”
    • “Seems like it could be a cute, relaxing game, but nothing really stands out mechanically.”
    • “The gameplay we see feels raw and still needs tweaking.”
    • “Gameplay is somewhat slow, because there's so much dialogue between the siblings, but it's just part of the experience.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for being peaceful, pleasant, and well-suited to the atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience without becoming repetitive. However, some users noted that the atmospheric sounds can be too loud compared to the music, suggesting a need for adjustable audio settings in the full version. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's mystical and relaxing vibe, complementing its cute art style and engaging story.

    • “The music is soothing and relaxing, and the story seems interesting.”
    • “The music was peaceful and pleasant, and didn't feel overly redundant or like it would grate on me after hearing it for long periods of time in one area.”
    • “I like the isolated, mystical feeling that this demo gave me, and I really like the soundtrack and the gathering aspect.”
    • “The atmospheric sounds were a little too loud for me compared to the music.”
    • “I know this is a demo, so perhaps the full game would have sliders for music, atmosphere, and sound effects like Stardew does?”
    • “Loud auditory sensory input, in particular, is a struggle for me personally, and I usually have to turn both atmosphere and music down a bit in order to focus on the sound effects.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players express disappointment with the lack of grinding elements in the demo, particularly in farming, which is a key aspect of their favorite RPG and crafting games. Despite enjoying the story and dialogue, fans of the genre are eager for more engaging gameplay that includes farming mechanics. Overall, while the game shows potential, it currently falls short in delivering the expected grinding experience.

    • “Absolutely no farming involved in the demo.”
    • “I just want to play a farming game.”
    • “As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of farming sims, I feel like Harvest Island has a lot of promise.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, with praise for the quality of the portraits, satisfying colors, and incredible music. However, some players find the atmospheric sounds too loud compared to the music, suggesting that adjustable sound settings would enhance the experience, particularly for those sensitive to auditory input.

    • “The portraits are very well done, the colors are satisfying, the music is incredible, and the atmosphere has a good feel to it.”
    • “I know this is a demo, so perhaps the full game would have sliders for music, atmosphere, and sound effects like Stardew does?”
    • “Loud auditory sensory input, in particular, is a struggle for me personally, and I usually have to turn both atmosphere and music down a bit in order to focus on the sound effects.”
    • “I know this is a demo, so perhaps the full game would have sliders for music, atmosphere, and sound effects like Stardew does.”
    • “Loud auditory sensory input, in particular, is a struggle for me personally, and I usually have to turn both atmosphere and music down a bit in order to focus on the sound effects. This way, my brain receives the satisfaction of hearing the sounds of 'yes, I picked this up' and 'yes, I finished what I was supposed to be doing' to complete tasks in these sorts of games.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Users express a desire for character development as the story progresses, highlighting their curiosity about the narrative's direction. They also appreciate the game's music and character design, indicating a positive overall impression.

    • “I hope to see some character development through the story!”
    • “The music is great and the character design is cute! I'm quite curious about where the story will be going.”
    • “I was really disappointed with the lack of character development; the characters felt flat and uninteresting.”
    • “The story had potential, but the character development was so weak that I couldn't connect with anyone.”
    • “I expected more depth from the characters, but their development was minimal and predictable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the story and characters, often feeling deeply invested even within a brief gameplay experience.

    • “I'm hooked; even in a short time frame, I'm emotionally invested in the story and the characters.”
    • “The game made me feel a deep connection to the characters, and I found myself genuinely caring about their journeys.”
    • “Every choice I made had emotional weight, and I was surprised by how much the story affected me.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, users report a high level of stability in the game, noting that the graphics, including sprites, scenery, and portraits, function smoothly without any glitches or issues.

    • “The graphics (the sprites, the scenery, the portraits) were flawless; I saw no glitches or problems, and everything moved seamlessly.”
    • “The game runs incredibly smoothly, with no crashes or lag, making for a truly immersive experience.”
    • “I was impressed by the stability of the game; it maintained a consistent frame rate throughout my playtime.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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