HARVESTELLA

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,223 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • gameplay
HARVESTELLA Game Cover
Harvestella is the secret best game you probably haven't played yet.
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"Harvestella" is a single-player Fantasy Role Playing game with an intriguing story, good mechanics, exceptional graphics, and stunning music. As the protagonist, you awaken during Quietus, a season of death that threatens all life, and must cooperate with allies to overcome threats, discover the truth behind the disasters, and experience various settlements and dungeons across the world. The game is very grinding but also wholesome, with moments that will make you laugh.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,223 reviews
story384 positive mentions
grinding1,225 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and emotional depth.
  • Beautiful graphics and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the experience.
  • Good blend of RPG and farming elements, allowing for a relaxing yet immersive gameplay experience.
  • Combat feels clunky and lacks depth, with no dodge or block mechanics.
  • Limited character customization options, making the protagonist feel generic.
  • Many side quests are repetitive and uninteresting, often requiring backtracking.
  • story1,395 mentions

    The story in this game is a significant draw, featuring a mix of engaging main quests and well-developed character arcs that often tackle emotional and complex themes. While some players find the pacing slow and the dialogue lengthy, many appreciate the depth and twists in the narrative, which can evoke strong emotional responses. Overall, the game is more focused on storytelling than traditional farming mechanics, making it appealing for those who enjoy rich narratives alongside their gameplay.

    • “Fantastic story with great characters.”
    • “Not gonna lie, everything in this game is beautiful and the storyline is also too emotional; I played it and didn't realize I was playing until half of the day.”
    • “The story was incredibly intriguing and I grew to enjoy the interactions with all of the side quest characters as well.”
    • “The story and dialogue are just not interesting.”
    • “The story is boring; I wish I could have skipped most of the cutscenes.”
    • “The story feels confused and not well fleshed out at times.”
  • grinding1,230 mentions

    The reviews for "grinding" in Harvestella reveal a mixed reception, with many players noting that while the game incorporates farming elements, it primarily functions as a JRPG with grinding mechanics tied to combat and resource gathering. Players often find the farming aspect simplistic and secondary to the story and combat, leading to a sense of repetitiveness, especially in the endgame where grinding for materials and upgrades becomes necessary. Overall, those who enjoy a blend of RPG and farming elements may find the grinding tolerable, but it may not satisfy players seeking a deep farming simulation experience.

    • “Not grindy at all.”
    • “This is not farming meets Final Fantasy.”
    • “There needs to be more ways/more efficient ways to get money since the focus isn't farming.”
    • “The farming aspect is cute but also feels kind of just... there; it's not the best farming nor the worst, it's very, well, mid.”
    • “The farming mechanics, unlike other farming sims, are not there purely to make profit, and you'll find that you make barely any profit unless you buy seeds that take a few days to grow.”
    • “The farming portion of the game is just so lackluster with exceedingly poor returns, giving players no reason to grow crops outside of what they'd need in the moment for crafting the cheapest healing food and what you'd need for food turn-in quests.”
  • gameplay329 mentions

    The gameplay of Harvestella has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the farming mechanics are enjoyable and well-implemented, the overall experience feels simplistic and lacks depth. The combat system is often described as basic and unengaging, with a lack of strategic elements and a frustrating absence of dodge mechanics. Overall, the game combines RPG and farming elements, but many feel that the two systems do not cohesively integrate, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel tedious and unbalanced, especially in the early stages.

    • “It was really nice to see some of my favorite gameplay styles combined!”
    • “The gameplay was really fun.”
    • “The gameplay is a pretty satisfying loop, though it's slow at first.”
    • “Gameplay/combat (4/10): while I love the primary mechanics of the game, they interrupt each other.”
    • “The gameplay was... fine.”
    • “The farming mechanics are very simplistic, and I actually enjoyed that.”
  • graphics286 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the art style and character designs as beautiful and charming, reminiscent of classic JRPGs. However, several users criticize the overall graphical quality as outdated, likening it to PS2 or early PS3 standards, and express disappointment in the lack of customization options and graphical settings. Despite these criticisms, the visuals are often described as aesthetically pleasing, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.

    • “The art style and environments are also S-tier as far as JRPGs are concerned.”
    • “The graphics are amazing and I love the mix of farming and the combat.”
    • “The visuals (graphics, art style, character designs) are gorgeous, and the music is very well done.”
    • “The graphics look like this game was released in 2011, really.”
    • “The graphics are poor, but the design of the universe is still reminiscent of Final Fantasy games, so it's still enjoyable and pretty, albeit not very detailed and without cool looking shaders to enhance the whole aspect of the game.”
    • “Graphics and animations look bad even by PS2 standards.”
  • music273 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beauty, emotional depth, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. Composed by Go Shiina, the soundtrack features a variety of relaxing and impactful tracks that resonate with players, although some noted that the limited variety can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout elements of the game, elevating the experience significantly.

    • “The music is phenomenal, but quickly becomes repetitive as it isn't varied all that much.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful.”
    • “The music is gorgeous, and that's the only thing keeping me playing at this point.”
    • “Putting the music audio to zero and 100 literally have no difference.”
    • “The same sad song gets played whether it's a 'I want to play with the other kids too' kind of scene or 'I am now the last of my species' scene and it undercuts the feeling once you realize.”
    • “While none of the music is bad by any means, this can definitely get repetitive, especially when doing side quests and the mood flops around on repeat as the quest goes.”
  • emotional40 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, beautiful soundtrack, and engaging side quests that evoke a range of feelings, from joy to sadness. Players appreciate the depth of character interactions and the emotional weight of the main and side narratives, although some note that the lack of voice acting diminishes the impact of certain scenes. Overall, the game successfully creates an immersive emotional experience, with many players expressing that it left them feeling deeply moved.

    • “What Live Wire delivered was an incredibly emotional slow burn of a story with an even more incredible soundtrack that ranges from relaxing and upbeat to hauntingly beautiful, as can be expected from a game published by Square Enix.”
    • “Nearly every single storyline drew me in and more than a few of them made me cry.”
    • “Without getting into any spoilers, story-wise this game is a massive surprise, one that left me emotionally wrecked (in a good way) for the first time after finishing Nier: Automata years ago.”
  • character development26 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth, particularly for companions, with many players appreciating the extensive side quests dedicated to character growth. However, some reviewers noted inconsistencies, with certain characters receiving significantly more development than others, leading to a feeling of missed potential. While the character designs and art style are highly regarded, the player character's limited role and some overly scripted scenarios detract from the overall organic growth of the characters.

    • “Character development is superb for your companions.”
    • “A lot of people have accurately described this game already: it is mostly an RPG with lots of story and especially character development.”
    • “Side quests have actual stories to them, with cutscenes, character development, etc. instead of the usual 'kill 10 rats'.”
    • “There is some missed potential in its character development with a couple of party members getting four times as much writing as the rest, who all pretty much fade into the background after their introductory chapter, and it's disappointing that the player character is a mostly-silent figurehead instead of getting to be a real character as in Rune Factory 5.”
    • “The major characters of the story aren't particularly interesting; although each character has their own extensive sidequest chain dedicated to their own development, these quests are usually little more than sophomoric monologues that force character development rather than letting the characters grow organically.”
    • “- While I do like the majority of the character quests, I would've preferred they shortened it because some of the scenarios didn't really progress the character development/story.”
  • optimization26 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while some players report smooth performance on PC and the Steam Deck, others experience frequent frame drops and awkward controls for mouse and keyboard. The farming mechanics are praised for their efficiency, but combat and certain graphical elements need improvement. Despite these issues, many find the game enjoyable, with polished basics that allow for a generally smooth experience.

    • “I do love the farming mechanics; it feels very well optimized and not sluggish like a lot of other farming games.”
    • “The game is a good time, but what makes it even better is the near-perfect performance on the deck.”
    • “With lovely music, long-requested quality of life improvements for the genre, smooth animations, and performance.”
    • “The performance is mediocre; one can really tell it's just a console port.”
    • “I noticed dropped frames pretty frequently, so I wonder how optimized this game is for PC.”
    • “The game controls are not optimized for PC.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players praising the witty dialogue, quirky character interactions, and comedic side quests that often provide wholesome moments. While the main story may lack depth, the lightheartedness and charm of the writing, along with amusing character responses, contribute to an enjoyable experience. However, some players find the voice acting and certain humor elements to be awkward or juvenile, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The companions are interesting, and my initial meeting with a certain character who is your first mini-boss was hilarious in my opinion.”
    • “While the options don't really affect the outcome, I found myself chuckling quite a bit at the wacky dialog options I can have my character say.”
    • “I really love the writing of the game, as it has such a fun, quirky sense of humor at times and a really interesting, mysterious main storyline that I really enjoyed following.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers feeling misled by its marketing as a farming RPG. While there are no microtransactions, players express disappointment in the game's lack of depth and originality, likening it to a rushed imitation of better titles in the genre. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leaving players feeling insulted and frustrated.

    • “It's like a mobile game minus the microtransactions.”
    • “No bugs experienced, no microtransactions, strong production values.”
    • “A cash grab, plain and simple.”
    • “At its core, it's just a cash grab farming game from Square Enix, and it's extremely disappointing knowing that.”
    • “It's a cash grab; it's insulting.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of downbeat yet hopeful tones, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack that masterfully integrates vocals and choir elements. Players appreciate the immersive world and emotional depth created through music, characters, and environments, contributing to a relaxing and engaging experience. While some may find the atmosphere unremarkable, many consider it a standout feature that elevates the overall gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere is fascinating, really super downbeat but fundamentally hopeful.”
    • “The OST is top tier and the use of vocals and choir to cement an atmosphere in cities and dungeons is done with mastery and is something I haven't experienced much elsewhere, if at all.”
    • “Music is phenomenal and really enhances the emotions and atmosphere felt in every area.”
    • “The combat takes some getting used to, but once you get a feel for the almost turn-based nature of it and accept that your farm is there to provide you with resources to survive your adventures, battles fit neatly into the laid-back atmosphere.”
    • “You'll either love the atmosphere and the potential of the game, or you'll be relatively unimpressed and lose interest quickly.”
    • “Interesting story premise, world setting, and atmosphere.”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is praised, with users reporting smooth performance on both PC and Steam Deck, and noting a lack of crashes, bugs, or glitches. However, some mention a clunky and buggy farming UI, which slightly detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, the game is considered a well-executed and relatively bug-free launch.

    • “This game runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “While I understand that folks are disappointed that this is not a Stardew Valley / Story of Seasons clone (it is instead much closer to the Atelier series of games: town quest / crafting / dungeon & supply exploration), it is still a very well-executed, relatively bug-free launch game.”
    • “The port runs great.”
    • “The farming UI is clunky and buggy.”
    • “This is a first, as every game I have played so far fries my laptop and is full of bugs and glitches.”
    • “The game is full of bugs and glitches.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability is hindered by the inability to skip cutscenes, which frustrates players and diminishes the incentive to replay. While some users feel the experience improves over time, the lack of options for faster playthroughs limits its overall replay value.

    • “The game offers a wealth of choices that make each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
    • “With multiple endings and diverse character paths, the replayability is off the charts!”
    • “Every time I play, I discover new secrets and strategies that keep the experience fresh.”
    • “Gets better as it goes, but the lack of a cutscene skip is my biggest gripe with the game. It really kills the replay value, and no one will want to speedrun it.”
    • “The game has little to no replayability. Once you've completed it, there's no incentive to go back.”
    • “While the story is engaging, the limited choices and linear gameplay make it feel like a one-time experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

12hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
3-44hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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