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STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
81% User Score Based on 1,069 reviews
Critic Score 75%Based on 24 reviews

Platforms

PCSteam DeckWindows
STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life Game Cover

About

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Marvelous Inc. and was released on June 27, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"In STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life, establish and customize your farm in the peaceful town of Forgotten Valley, and form connections with the townsfolk through various activities and events. Cultivate crops, raise animals, and discover new ways to improve your farm as you create lasting memories. This reimagining of a classic farming simulation game offers a heartwarming and relaxing experience."

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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,069 reviews
story74 positive mentions
grinding256 negative mentions

  • Faithful remake of the original game with improved graphics and quality of life updates.
  • Nostalgic experience for fans of the original Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life.
  • Inclusive character customization options, allowing players to choose pronouns and same-sex marriage.
  • Controls are awkward and not intuitive, especially on PC with keyboard and mouse.
  • Game can feel repetitive and lacks depth compared to modern farming sims.
  • Some character names and designs have been changed, which may disappoint long-time fans.
  • story
    280 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life* is a nostalgic remake of the classic *Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life*, focusing on generational storytelling and the emotional journey of building a family and community. While it retains the charm and slower pace of the original, some players feel it lacks depth and modern features compared to newer titles in the genre, leading to mixed feelings about its narrative engagement. Overall, it offers a heartfelt experience for fans of the series, emphasizing relationships and life progression, though it may feel repetitive or simplistic to newcomers.

    • “The relationships in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life are more than just affection meters.”
    • “Ultimately, Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a reflective, heartfelt game that encourages players to take their time, appreciate the little moments, and grow alongside their character.”
    • “Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a lovingly crafted reimagining that pays homage to the original while offering a fresh experience for players.”
    • “Some criticisms of this title many people have is that it's 'stuck in the past' as far as mechanics, storyline, and features go, and to be fair, they're right for thinking that.”
    • “You won't understand anything that matters to the story.”
    • “After a few years, when your child is almost fully grown, it becomes boring because you have seen it all and there is nothing new that would keep you engaged to continue the story and your farm life further.”
  • grinding
    257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate its slower, more relaxed pace and the nostalgic charm it brings, others find the repetitive daily tasks tedious and lacking in excitement compared to modern farming sims like Stardew Valley. Overall, the game is seen as a cozy experience that emphasizes life simulation over complex farming mechanics, appealing primarily to fans of the original title or those seeking a laid-back gaming experience.

    • “I love the grind in this game; it feels rewarding and satisfying to see my progress over time.”
    • “Grinding in this game is enjoyable because it allows me to explore different strategies and build my character the way I want.”
    • “The grind is balanced perfectly, making it feel like a natural part of the journey rather than a chore.”
    • “This game has little to no direction, and you quickly run out of things 'to do' and end up grinding daily tasks with not much more excitement than that.”
    • “The lack of dialogue and the slow, grindy feeling you get as you progress to the final years are something that have existed in the original games and while they did add a number of new cutscenes and events, especially those involving your child, it's not a full fix.”
    • “I can understand for nostalgic purposes this is probably amazing to those who played it on GameCube, but compared to the farming games we have today there is not much to do at all and it becomes boring and repetitive really quickly.”
  • gameplay
    168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life" is a nostalgic blend of farming, relationship-building, and routine tasks, appealing to fans of the original while introducing quality-of-life improvements. However, many players find the mechanics dated and repetitive, with a slow pace that may frustrate those seeking more dynamic gameplay. While the game offers a cozy experience with enhanced graphics and smoother controls, it lacks depth and variety, making it better suited for casual players who enjoy a relaxed gaming atmosphere.

    • “The gameplay is straightforward and a mix of farming, life-sim, and adventure game.”
    • “With its updated visuals, additional content, and gameplay improvements, this game offers a definitive experience for both long-time fans and newcomers to the series.”
    • “Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is an amazing remake that captures all of the charm of the original title for GameCube and PS2 and brings with it a lot of the modern gameplay standards of the Bokujo series.”
    • “Its slow pace, absence of high-stakes conflict, and minimalist gameplay loop can feel dull to players looking for action or complex systems.”
    • “The gameplay loop is very boring; there is so little to do.”
    • “The town and its inhabitants feel one-dimensional and dead, repeating the same line of dialogue over and over again, which only adds to the repetitiveness of the gameplay loop, which is already boring enough.”
  • graphics
    160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the updated visuals and colorful art style that evoke nostalgia, while others feel that some elements still resemble early 2000s graphics. Although the remaster enhances certain aspects, some users noted that it lacks the polish expected from a modern release, with occasional glitches and a disparity in character designs. Overall, the graphics are generally considered pleasant and fitting for the game's relaxed vibe, but opinions vary on their effectiveness in capturing the charm of the original.

    • “The updated graphics and character designs are fantastic; I love that we can customize our characters now, and the new romance options are a great perk!”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous, and they've done some huge quality of life improvements.”
    • “Visually, A Wonderful Life embraces a quaint art style that has aged gracefully, showcasing a colorful and idyllic world.”
    • “My only gripe is that this re-release could've probably used more polish with graphics and textures, and I think that would've been a worthwhile investment.”
    • “Some aspects of the game graphically still look very early 2000s while others look closer to mid 2010s.”
    • “The graphics are low, the background is sad-looking; literally, the so-called forgotten valley is really forgotten.”
  • music
    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic quality, successfully evoking fond memories from the original version while incorporating modern acoustic enhancements. Although some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive and lacks seasonal variation, the ability to unlock and swap tracks helps maintain freshness. Overall, the remastered music retains the charm of the originals, making it a highlight for fans of the series.

    • “The music has also been rearranged, maintaining its mellow, heartfelt melodies while offering a more modern acoustic richness.”
    • “The songs are new recordings of the nostalgic melodies we know and love, so good.”
    • “Overall, it's a great remake especially if you've played the original and want to feel the nostalgia because the music and everything just brings back the same feeling I had when playing the original version, but better.”
    • “The fishing sucks, the digging sucks, and the music doesn't change between seasons.”
    • “The village is bland, the music stops at weird points of the game.”
    • “Music cuts in and out depending where you are, sometimes it's just complete silence which is very off-putting.”
  • emotional
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life" is characterized by its heartwarming and nostalgic storytelling, focusing on family, memory, and the passage of time. Players experience a profound emotional journey as they guide their characters through life, forming genuine friendships and raising children, which fosters a deep connection to the game. The gentle, reflective nature of the gameplay, combined with charming characters and a cozy atmosphere, makes it a uniquely fulfilling and emotionally resonant experience in the farming sim genre.

    • “Ultimately, Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a reflective, heartfelt game that encourages players to take their time, appreciate the little moments, and grow alongside their character.”
    • “The focus on family, memory, and the passage of time gives it a maturity and emotional core that sets it apart from its peers.”
    • “This multi-generational aspect adds a layer of depth and emotional investment, as you guide your family through the decades, building precious memories along the way.”
  • optimization
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While many players appreciate the improved performance and smoother gameplay compared to the original, some have reported issues such as crashes, stuttering, and inadequate keyboard and mouse controls. Despite these concerns, several users noted that the game runs well on higher settings and features significant enhancements, indicating that further optimization could enhance the experience even more.

    • “The game is gorgeously re-optimized, offering new customization features that were not available in the old versions of this game.”
    • “This remake includes features from AWL & AWL Special Edition whilst offering updated graphics, better performance, a new spin on music, some new features, and various quality of life changes.”
    • “I've just about finished spring year 1 and everything has been very smooth - no stuttering, no long loads, and everything looks very polished.”
    • “I have requested a refund at this time due to the unplayable nature of its current state, but I do hope they work on fixes for its performance in the future.”
    • “Needs to be optimized for keyboard and mouse like crazy.”
    • “Control-wise, this game probably wasn't optimized for a keyboard and mouse, and it shows.”
  • stability
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is mixed, with users reporting various glitches and bugs, particularly related to controller controls and performance issues at frame rates above 60 fps. While some players experienced significant problems like freezing and teleporting animals, others found the game enjoyable despite these annoyances. Overall, while there are notable stability issues, many players still appreciate the game for its charm and gameplay.

    • “While this is obvious due to the size of the game, it runs great.”
    • “So far, besides the annoyances mentioned above, it has been bug-free.”
    • “This game looks and runs great.”
    • “Do not buy this game, the controls are frustrating, the game just freezes randomly, it's garbage.”
    • “I want to be refunded for it but Steam says I played more than 2 hours, that seems to count all the time I lost while the game freezes, do not make my mistake, stay away from this garbage game.”
    • “Cannot make it through the introduction - game freezes up and hard crashes at various points.”
  • character development
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the updated designs and customization options, while others feel that the changes have diluted the original personality and charm of the characters. Although the story and emotional depth are praised, the overall character development is seen as somewhat bland and repetitive, detracting from the immersive experience. Additionally, while improvements in graphics and mechanics are noted, they come at the cost of some of the original's authenticity and character richness.

    • “Good story, character development, and plot (some aspects are tear jerkers).”
    • “The updated graphics and character designs are fantastic, I love that we can customize our characters now, and the new romance options are a great perk!”
    • “The updates to character design are welcome and so are the quality of life changes as well.”
    • “The overall character designs, while still faithful overall to their original, don't seem to have as much personality.”
    • “The developers claimed to add these features and cater the storytelling and character design towards these new features to make the experience inclusive for everyone but failed to really get the inclusion part down.”
    • “While its strong focus on the social aspects and improved game mechanics breathe life into the series, the somewhat bland character development and repetitiveness can hinder the immersive experience it aims to provide.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized as pure and peaceful, creating a chill and cozy environment that enhances the overall experience. While it lacks complexity, the simplicity of the gameplay and the pleasant cast contribute to a delightful, family-oriented vibe, making it a great choice for those seeking a comforting atmosphere.

    • “The atmosphere is very chill, the cast is nice, the gameplay is simple, and overall it's super cozy.”
    • “Definitely play it if you are interested in a delightful, atmospheric family-oriented type of game.”
    • “It doesn't offer a lot of bells and whistles, but I love its atmosphere.”
    • “All in all, I am so happy with this game, and there is always the original to go back to for that darker, lonelier atmosphere.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is characterized by its quirky elements, such as amusing cutscenes featuring obscure characters and the absurdity of a child growing up in a whimsical setting. Players find humor in the exaggerated and bizarre aspects of the game, including the comically awkward romance options and the intentionally poor keyboard controls, which add to the overall comedic experience.

    • “There is archaeology instead of mining, hybridizing crops, funny obscure characters with amusing cutscenes, and a child that actually grows!”
    • “Few understand how hilariously bad it was being a 12-year-old girl excitedly getting another wonderful life only to have to romance the most insane-looking bachelors you've ever seen.”
    • “Keyboard controls are hilariously bad, and while they can be customized, they do not function particularly well.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is mixed, with some players finding it lacking after a single play-through, while others appreciate the quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall experience and encourage multiple runs.

    • “Lots of replay value!”
    • “The game still feels very much like the original, in my opinion, with some quality of life changes that have made it a lot more playable and less convoluted.”
    • “Not a lot of replay value for me, but I'm happy to have completed a playthrough.”
    • “Game still feels very much like the original in my opinion, just some quality of life changes that I think have made the game a lot more playable and less convoluted.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a disappointing cash grab, particularly by fans of Xseed, indicating a negative reception regarding its value and fairness.

    • “It's disappointing because I love Xseed, but this feels like an awful cash grab.”
    • “The monetization strategy is overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money at every turn, which ruins the enjoyment of the game.”
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10h Median play time
31h Average play time
5-69h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life is a casual role playing game.

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 31 hours playing STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life.

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life was released on June 27, 2023.

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life was developed by Marvelous Inc..

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life is a single player game.

Similar games include STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town, STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town, Doraemon Story of Seasons, Rune Factory 5, Harvest Moon: Light of Hope and others.