Rune Factory 5

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 875 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • graphics
Rune Factory 5 Game Cover
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In Rune Factory 5, players join the peacekeeping organization SEED as a ranger, protecting Rigbarth by rounding up monsters and keeping the balance between humanity and nature. Off-duty activities include farming, festivals, and building friendships with townsfolk. The adventure deepens as the mystery behind shifting balances unfolds, leading to a grand quest. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes 13 additional outfits from Rune Factory 4.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 875 reviews
story61 positive mentions
grinding336 negative mentions
  • Packed with content and fun, never run out of things to do.
  • Gameplay is incredibly complete with deep crafting and farming mechanics.
  • Charming characters and an interesting story, with the addition of same-sex marriage options.
  • Lacks control customization and several quality of life improvements compared to other games.
  • Graphics are inconsistent, with some areas looking empty and dated.
  • Story pacing is off, with forced events and repetitive dialogue.
  • story401 mentions

    The story in Rune Factory 5 has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less engaging and more predictable compared to previous entries in the series, particularly Rune Factory 4. While some appreciate the charming characters and light-hearted narrative, others criticize the pacing, lack of depth, and the feeling that character interactions are often superficial. Overall, the main storyline is considered short and somewhat bland, with many players expressing a desire for more substantial character development and plot progression.

    • “The story is surprisingly decent.”
    • “The game's charming storyline and engaging gameplay mechanics keep players coming back for more.”
    • “I love all the characters and the story was fun!”
    • “- Compared to other Rune Factory games, the story was kind of mid and way too predictable.”
    • “- The main story is extremely disappointing, but whatever.”
    • “- The story is uninspiring and boring; discovering the other characters' stories is way more exciting but is undermined by having them only be discovered through romance.”
  • grinding338 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Rune Factory 5" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the depth and variety in farming, crafting, and combat, many find the grinding tedious and excessive, particularly in the endgame where it can feel overwhelming and repetitive. The game's mechanics, while engaging for some, can lead to frustration due to clunky controls and a lack of incentive to invest time in farming compared to other activities like combat. Overall, it offers a blend of farming and RPG elements, but the grinding may deter those looking for a more streamlined experience.

    • “A lot like Stardew Valley or Harvest Moon, but with a lot more quality of life features and more to do when not farming.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Rune Factory 5, though, is weighed down by needless grinding.”
    • “Ultimately, though, the end-game grind is just too grindy for me.”
    • “The farming is nice, simplistic, and feeds easily into other systems of buffing, crafting, and romancing, but grinding for levels, grinding enemies for loot and rare drops, grinding skills to make and do more stuff, grinding days for crops and townsfolk and gifts becomes tedious.”
  • graphics191 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing them as outdated and reminiscent of earlier console generations, such as the PS2 or GameCube. While some appreciate the charming anime art style and colorful palette, others find the visuals bland, lacking detail, and contributing to a sense of emptiness in the game world. Overall, while there are improvements over previous titles, many feel that the graphics do not meet modern standards and detract from the overall experience.

    • “This is the first game I've played about a farm simulator with an anime-like graphic style.”
    • “The graphics are colorful and beautifully rendered, adding to the overall immersive experience.”
    • “Once you get used to its graphics, the game is actually good and fun.”
    • “The graphics are horrendous for a PC port, which is a shame because a lot of the designs for the different levels seem very beautiful.”
    • “Graphics are PS2 tier, and this is no joke; it's like this was a game developed for the 3DS and not PC or the Nintendo Switch (which this game is probably a port of).”
    • “The graphics, well... they're not great.”
  • gameplay174 mentions

    The gameplay of Rune Factory 5 retains the series' signature farming, crafting, and RPG mechanics, offering a deep and engaging experience, though it suffers from clunky controls and some poorly explained systems. While many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and addictive gameplay loop, others criticize the transition to 3D for making the mechanics feel less intuitive and polished compared to previous entries. Overall, it provides a mix of fun and frustration, appealing primarily to fans of the franchise and those who enjoy life simulation games with RPG elements.

    • “The gameplay is, as usual, incredibly complete and crafting can be very deep if you wish to.”
    • “I love the gameplay loop and the entire cast of characters feel like family to me now.”
    • “Rune Factory 5 is a clearly ambitious title in the series that attempts to take the gameplay of the acclaimed Rune Factory franchise up another level.”
    • “In the transition to 3D, the gameplay has definitely become more clunky, but it's something you begrudgingly get used to.”
    • “The gameplay is boring.”
    • “Every single aspect of this game feels like it was handcrafted to make gameplay as slow, sloppy, and bland as possible.”
  • optimization84 mentions

    The optimization of Rune Factory 5 has received mixed reviews, with the Nintendo Switch version being widely criticized for severe performance issues, including stuttering and long loading times. In contrast, the PC version shows significant improvements, offering smoother gameplay and better overall performance, although some users still report occasional frame drops. While the PC release is generally considered a more enjoyable experience, there are calls for further optimization to address lingering performance concerns.

    • “The PC version offers smooth performance and a more enjoyable experience than its Nintendo Switch counterpart, and the inclusive relationship options make it a great choice for anyone looking for a fun and immersive gaming experience.”
    • “Not only does Rune Factory 5 boast impressive performance on PC, but it's also a joy to play.”
    • “The improvements over the Switch version (graphics and performance) make this version so much more enjoyable.”
    • “Granted, the Switch is hella outdated and poorly optimized.”
    • “'Performance issues' does not even begin to describe how unforgivably poorly this game ran on Switch.”
    • “Rf5 should have never been released in the ugly, unoptimized, clunky, and unfinished state that it was.”
  • music43 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its beauty and relaxing qualities, while others criticize its repetitiveness and lack of variety, particularly in town. While some tracks are described as top-tier and enjoyable for casual listening, many users find the soundtrack to be shallow and lacking the vibrancy of previous installments. Additionally, technical issues such as sound bugs and music cutting out detract from the overall experience.

    • “The music is just as beautiful as the previous games (1 and 4 is what played the most. I only played 2 briefly and can't remember it to save my life).”
    • “A cast of colorful characters, a surprisingly engaging story for a farming game, and some absolutely wonderful music that I can see myself listening to while I do all sorts of random day-to-day activities.”
    • “The music is relaxing, and although the spring and summer melodies stressed me out, the fall melody actually made me slow down and take a long, slow look at the world around me.”
    • “The music... is like... dude... there's 1 track??”
    • “You will hear the dang town music on repeat and loop forever, and it will drive you insane.”
    • “The game is so shallow, from bland character writing, to lazy exposition, to the most bare-bones happy-go-lucky soundtrack.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is noted for its appealing and original character designs, particularly for female characters, which many players find to be a strong point. However, while there are interesting aspects to the marriage candidates, some reviewers feel that the depth of character development is lacking, with a few describing the story as weak and the character growth as minimal compared to other titles in the franchise.

    • “What I love about it is the originality of the concept; it covers each other's weaknesses, such as the mundane repetitive farming life, by the mystery and action of the story and the individual character developments of each person in the said story.”
    • “The character designs appeal to me a lot, and there's plenty of quirky guys and gals that you can romance.”
    • “If you're thirsting for an all-star voice acting cast with a cliché, but heartfelt story, and some of the best character design seen in a modern JRPG, look no further.”
    • “In my opinion, most of the character designs are rather bland, but that's just my own take.”
    • “Monster and character designs are completely lost on this game.”
    • “The story is kind of weak compared to others in the franchise and there isn’t a ton of character development, at least that I’ve seen so far.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding charm in quirky character interactions and amusing dialogue, though some aspects, like the combat and story, lead to unintentional laughs. The main character's over-the-top vocalizations during farming and the unique personalities of villagers add to the comedic experience, while the game's pricing and design choices also evoke humor. Overall, the humor is often situational and can be hit-or-miss, with some players appreciating the charm while others find it lacking.

    • “The combat and dungeon design is just okay, and the bosses are a hilarious mixed bag.”
    • “The main character is definitely more vocal than necessary in their farming activities, but I find it more humorous than annoying.”
    • “The villagers are very charming, funny, and unique, each one with many different lines of conversation to say each day as time progresses.”
    • “This type of BS is not funny.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, highlighting its wholesome experiences, heartfelt storytelling, and strong character interactions. The touching moments, such as the protagonist's journey with the wind dragon in Rune Factory 4, resonate strongly, making the game a comforting escape during tough times. Overall, the combination of charming characters, immersive gameplay, and emotional depth creates a memorable and heartwarming experience.

    • “This is in stark contrast to the ending of one of the acts in Rune Factory 4 where the main character rides the wind dragon back home, and it was a touching scene.”
    • “If you're thirsting for an all-star voice acting cast with a cliché, but heartfelt story, and some of the best character design seen in a modern JRPG, look no further.”
    • “I've been looking for a wholesome game to distract me from the worst summer of my life, and this one was a perfect match.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with frequent freezes and glitches reported across platforms, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. While some users note that it runs well on PC, many recommend saving often due to the persistent issues, suggesting that the game is currently too buggy for a full purchase. Overall, players are hopeful for future patches to address these stability problems.

    • “The game runs great on PC.”
    • “The game runs great on PC with no stutter or FPS drop like on the Nintendo Switch version.”
    • “These are not quick stutters; the game essentially freezes for a second or longer.”
    • “This game is filled with glitches and crashes; I had to redo the same day's activities over and over.”
    • “As others have warned, the 1.0 release freezes randomly and constantly, meaning you have to save every five minutes or so just to avoid doing the same things over and over again.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers some replayability through options like dating different characters and exploring various generational paths, but many players feel it lacks depth in endgame content. While some appreciate the charm and satisfying gameplay loops that enhance replay value, others express disappointment over the limited marriage options for NPCs. Overall, opinions on replayability are mixed, with some finding it enjoyable and others feeling it falls short.

    • “While janky in a lot of areas and its shortcomings are apparent, the amount of replay value, charm, and satisfying gameplay loops make it one of the most endearing games I've played this year.”
    • “Although I love the Rune Factory series and enjoyed this game, I simply can't recommend it due to the lack of replayability and endgame.”
    • “There's replayability in marrying the other candidates, though I wish some NPCs could be married.”
    • “It's even mildly replayable if you want to run the other gender or date someone new.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere in Rune Factory 5 is highly praised for its cozy and charming environment, enhanced by a diverse cast of characters who are always ready to engage and assist players. The relaxing music further contributes to the game's inviting ambiance, making it a standout in the farming sim RPG genre. Overall, players find it to be a soulful and immersive experience.

    • “The most charming, atmospheric, comfy, soulful farming sim RPG on Steam.”
    • “Music also helped with that kind of relaxing atmosphere.”
    • “If you care about romancing characters, a cozy atmosphere, and easy combat, get Rune Factory 5.”
    • “The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking any real depth or immersion.”
    • “Despite the beautiful graphics, the overall atmosphere is flat and fails to engage the player.”
    • “The game tries to create a vibrant world, but the atmosphere ends up feeling lifeless and dull.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy includes microtransactions for cosmetic skins, which some users find off-putting; however, the skin shop is not prominently featured, making it less intrusive to the overall experience.

    • “The one downside would be microtransactions for cute skins, but they keep the skin shop out of sight, out of mind, to be honest.”
    • “The one downside would be the microtransactions for cute skins, but they keep the skin shop out of mind, out of sight, to be honest.”
    • “The game feels heavily monetized, with constant prompts to purchase in-game currency for basic features.”
    • “It's frustrating that you can't fully enjoy the game without spending extra money on essential items.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Rune Factory 5

Play time

21hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
9-48hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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