STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,874 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • graphics
STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town Game Cover
A relaxing game, a brilliant remake, and if you like farming games you’ll be happy as a pig in mud.
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In Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, you revive your late grandfather's farm, grow crops, raise animals, and build relationships with villagers. This farming simulation and life simulation game also features a charming rural town, memorable characters, and seasonal festivals. Your decisions and interactions influence the growth of your farm and bonds within the community.

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Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,874 reviews
story44 positive mentions
grinding304 negative mentions
  • The game brings back sweet nostalgia for longtime fans of the Harvest Moon series, especially those who played the original Friends of Mineral Town.
  • Enhanced graphics and new features enrich the farming, socializing, and exploring experience, making the gameplay feel fresh and enjoyable.
  • The ability to marry any gender and the addition of new characters and animals provide more options and variety for players.
  • Some players feel that the game lacks depth and content compared to modern farming sims like Stardew Valley, making it feel repetitive after a while.
  • The removal of rival marriages and certain features from the original game has disappointed some fans, leading to a less dynamic experience.
  • The controls can be clunky, especially for keyboard and mouse users, and the animations for stamina loss can be overly long and disruptive.
  • story332 mentions

    The story in "Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town" is a nostalgic remake of the original Harvest Moon game, focusing on simple farming life and character interactions without a deep overarching plot. While players appreciate the charming characters and their individual backstories, many feel the narrative lacks depth and closure, making it feel repetitive and simplistic compared to modern farming simulators like Stardew Valley. Overall, the game is celebrated for its nostalgic value and engaging gameplay, but it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, story-driven experience.

    • “Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a heartwarming and nostalgic farming simulator that is sure to please fans of the series.”
    • “Each of them has their own background story, and it's interesting to watch how their attitude towards you changes during the game.”
    • “The feel of nostalgia is very strong in this game, the story, the music, the characters, everything in this game really brings back old memories.”
    • “I literally had nothing to go by as to what I was supposed to do, just dropped in with zero story or way to advance the story.”
    • “The festivals are as lifeless as the rest of the town, the cooking system is essentially the same as any other game in this genre, and I honestly can't remember much if anything of the story, so there isn't really anything remarkable in that department either.”
    • “I bought it because I thought every story of seasons game would be nice, but this one feels like the story lacks heart.”
  • grinding304 mentions

    The reviews highlight that "Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town" offers a nostalgic farming experience, but many players find the grinding aspect tedious and repetitive, especially in late-game scenarios. While some appreciate the simplicity and charm of the farming mechanics, others feel that the lack of late-game automation and the need for extensive grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of the genre, particularly those seeking a casual and relaxing farming sim, but it may not satisfy those looking for a more modern or less grind-heavy experience.

    • “This game is pretty repetitive, just like most farming simulators that derive from Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons.”
    • “The pain point that I encounter is that by the end game, if you want to min-max your farm, it could become too tedious.”
    • “This game can be incredibly grindy if you don't know what you're doing.”
  • graphics283 mentions

    The graphics of "Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the enhanced, vibrant, and charming chibi art style that adds a fresh twist to the nostalgic original. While some players appreciate the cute and colorful visuals, others feel that the new graphics lack the depth and appeal of the original pixel art, leading to a disconnect in the overall aesthetic. Overall, the game successfully modernizes its visuals while maintaining the beloved charm of its predecessor, though opinions on the art style's execution vary among players.

    • “The graphics are charming and nostalgic.”
    • “Picture this: vibrant, charming graphics that transport you to the idyllic town of Mineral Town, where every corner is brimming with character and charm.”
    • “The graphics are super cute, and some interactions really brought back some memories from my childhood.”
    • “Instead, it's a duller version of the original, with generic, Switch-level, low-poly graphics.”
    • “Even without this problem, though, the graphics are generally just not very good.”
    • “These graphics aren't 2020 worthy/acceptable; the graphics on their Wii games were better than this, with a 12-year age gap between them.”
  • gameplay221 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a nostalgic blend of familiar mechanics and updated features, offering a relaxing and engaging farming experience that appeals to both new players and long-time fans. While some players appreciate the simplicity and charm, others find the mechanics somewhat dated and repetitive compared to modern farming sims like Stardew Valley. Overall, the game successfully retains its classic essence while introducing quality-of-life improvements, making it enjoyable for casual gamers.

    • “The updated visuals and new features added a fresh and enjoyable twist to the familiar gameplay.”
    • “Its nostalgic charm, engaging gameplay, and lovable characters make it a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike.”
    • “The gameplay is relaxing and rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay gets stale very quickly because there isn't much to do.”
    • “Unfortunately, after two hours of gameplay, I was bored as hell.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets quite repetitive after a while.”
  • music120 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its nostalgic charm, with many players expressing joy at the familiar soundtracks that evoke fond memories from previous titles in the series. The updated arrangements and new tracks enhance the overall atmosphere, making the gameplay feel relaxing and immersive, although some players noted that the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's appeal for both new and returning players.

    • “The soundtrack is upbeat and catchy.”
    • “It's so relaxing to fall into a routine and enjoy the music, the scenery, and the overall peaceful aesthetic of the game.”
    • “The music is nostalgic and the overall feel to it is similar to 'Back to Nature'.”
    • “The music is quite repetitive and it gets boring over time.”
    • “There's no music in the mines, but to be honest, you'd hear the same start of the same song over and over on GBA anyway.”
    • “The soundtrack takes a while to get used to again, but it still has the charm that the old one had.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town" is characterized by its nostalgic and heartwarming experiences, evoking strong feelings of sentimentality among players, especially those familiar with the original game. While many appreciate the cute characters and wholesome gameplay, some express disappointment over the lack of content compared to modern farming simulators, which can detract from the overall emotional impact. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke childhood memories and provide a comforting, albeit sometimes bittersweet, gaming experience.

    • “With their quirky personalities and heartwarming stories, you'll find yourself eagerly anticipating every interaction.”
    • “I almost shed a tear when I first played this game.. the nostalgia sure hits in and the gameplay has been improved.”
    • “I played the original MFOMT/FOMT when I was a lot younger and this is incredibly sentimental and heartwarming to me :)”
    • “Overall, a boring farming sim that has far too much tedious story that no one cares about.”
    • “The emotional moments feel forced and lack genuine impact, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the attempts at emotional depth to be shallow and unconvincing, leaving me indifferent to the story.”
  • character development22 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the improved graphics and character designs, while others express nostalgia for the original designs. Some players find the new character names and designs initially off-putting but note that they grow on them as they progress through the game. Overall, the game maintains a good sense of character progression and offers customization options, though opinions on the new designs vary widely.

    • “It's super cute, has some nice character development to it and good sense of progression.”
    • “The updated character designs are great for most of the characters and the sprites look amazing.”
    • “With character customization improved, you can not only choose between the original playable character design but a new set of characters!”
    • “In spite of the new character designs, which are fine in a vacuum, but vastly inferior to the originals, the game is mostly unchanged.”
    • “The new character designs and names need some getting used to but the soundtrack, map and events are all the same and I died, dieded and redieded every time.”
    • “Not really a big fan of this new character design, it's still good but I just don't like it.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance at 60 fps and effective mechanics that enhance gameplay. However, some users report issues on low-end PCs, suggesting that adjustments could improve performance for those systems. While the graphics are unique and well-received, players may need to tweak settings to avoid slowdowns.

    • “It's literally just the most optimized version of Harvest Moon to date.”
    • “[+] Game runs smoothly at 60 fps.”
    • “+ Mechanics are hugely optimized (large stacking backpack, shown stamina, flawless equipment switching and goods, starting cabinets, diary, etc).”
    • “However, if you haven't been exposed to Rune Factory or Stardew Valley, then maybe you won't mind the lack of modern/optimized features or action RPG elements.”
    • “I just have one small issue with the game regarding performance on low-end PCs and laptops. Is it possible to adjust the game performance to allow low-end laptops and PCs to run it smoothly?”
    • “Only complaint so far is that I had to turn down the display settings because otherwise there was massive slowdown. I don't know how much of it was my computer or because of bad optimization, though.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and quirky moments, such as the amusing cooking fails and the humorous interactions with characters, including a grown-up horse that players can no longer talk to. Players appreciate the lively writing and localization, which contribute to the game's overall warmth and comedic tone, despite some minor translation issues. The blend of funny farming tutorials and engaging festivals adds to the game's lighthearted atmosphere, making it a delightful experience.

    • “From seeing Karen's horrible cooking fail at the food fair to finding funny programs on TV.”
    • “If, at the start of the game, you decide not to become a farmer, the game ends (this is kind of funny), but then the credits roll and they're unskippable, so you have to kill the process to restart.”
    • “The localization and writing are warm and funny, though there are some things that may have benefited from another editorial pass. Overall, it's lively and flows, which is what you want.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and soothing qualities, reminiscent of classic titles like Harvest Moon, with adorable visuals and delightful soundtracks that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the relaxing and enjoyable ambiance, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a chill farming game, despite some critiques regarding camera placement. Overall, the game successfully captures the charm of its predecessors while offering a comforting and engaging environment.

    • “I'm 100% biased because I grew up on this game, but the atmosphere is just perfect.”
    • “This game is so adorable! I just love the atmosphere and feel of Harvest Moon games.”
    • “This game brings the old atmosphere of Mineral Town, with background music and even the devs made a few improvements without losing the feelings of the old version.”
    • “Camera placement doesn't emphasize the event's atmosphere, even though it does improve the visual ergonomic aspects.”
    • “This game brings back the old atmosphere of Mineral Town, with background music and a few improvements made by the developers, but it fails to capture the feelings of the original version.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, "Fomt" demonstrates solid stability, particularly on PC and the Steam Deck, with most users reporting smooth gameplay and minimal glitches. While some visual glitches in menus and a few legacy bugs persist, the game is generally faithful to its original release and has seen improvements in stability since launch. Players appreciate the community's efforts in documenting glitches and game mechanics, contributing to a more enjoyable experience.

    • “Not to mention, it runs great on PC, which is something I was pretty concerned about at launch.”
    • “Fomt runs well on the Steam Deck, but it occasionally has some visual glitches in its menus.”
    • “Very faithful to the original GBA release, less buggy, but some of the money-making exploits still remain.”
    • “I gave up troubleshooting.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, opinions on replayability are mixed; while some players find the game offers great replay value, others feel it lacks significant incentive to replay after completing it, suggesting that it may not justify its cost for those seeking a more engaging experience.

    • “The game has great replayability value.”
    • “It's replayable even after finishing the main story.”
    • “It's not worth spending that amount on a game that has almost zero replay value.”
    • “Some people may like this, but I think it cheapens the game and wrecks the replay value.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    Reviews indicate a mixed sentiment regarding monetization; some players view the game as a cash grab, suggesting that a simple HD port of the original would have been more reasonably priced at around $15. However, others appreciate the nostalgic value it brings, feeling that it transcends mere commercial exploitation and successfully evokes fond memories.

    • “I genuinely feel that an HD port of the original with some small tweaks would be a lot more enjoyable (for maybe $15), but this version just feels like a quick cash grab from Marvelous.”
    • “There's not really much difference with the original game and I feel like it's a cash grab as it is.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town

Play time

20hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
9-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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