Customer Reviews

Harvest Moon A Wonderful Life Special Edition

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Like others, being a Harvest Moon fan, I couldn't resist buying a copy of this Special Edition version and playing it. My main reason for buying it was that I was curious to the new features -- what parts of the GameCube games (A Wonderful Life and Another Wonderful Life) made it and what didn't.

After some time with it, I can say that while a number of things have been incorporated and improved from the GameCube version of A Wonderful Life, there were other things that are disappointing -- but, at least it's much better than Natsume's Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland.

Being a PS2 owner, I was rather disappointed in Save the Homeland. The game was very linear and time-oriented, not even offering enough of the open-endedness of the preceding Playstation game, Back To Nature (which has since been revamped into the Gameboy Advance game Friends of Mineral Town). If I only owned a PS2, I probably would be ecstatic to see this game and not really worry about the slowdowns and loading times -- I'd be more used to it.

The Special Edition, in comparison to the GameCube games, incorporates many elements from both. The Dog Training mode from Another Wonderful Life makes it into this game, although the useful mirror accessory does not. The minigames and other enhancements of Another Wonderful Life seem to be missing, which is too bad since Another Wonderful Life's additions were a great tweak of the original game's system in a good way.

The best reason for Harvest Moon fans to get this game is to finally get a chance at marrying the bride that wasn't, Lumina. She acted a lot like a potential bride, even saying that "if I were older, I'd probably marry you". Well, now you can get the chance, as she is now made the appropriate age for you to court her properly. Lumina was my favorite AWL character, so it is a very nice change they brought into the game.

Another standout in this game is the wonderful CD-quality music that has been added. I've never heard a better Harvest Moon version, with wonderful orchestral music throughout. The sound itself remains the same as the GC version - no surprises there.

For all the improvements, there were a few disappointments.

One of the worst problems noted was constant slowdown, especially around 5pm when there are around 5-7 characters walking through the intersections at one time. Without anyone around, though, your character still moves like he's jogging through town and not rushing through as in the GameCube version. Picking up items and ploping them into your backpack is also slow. Whether this is a coding issue or just the speed optimization differences bettwen PS2 and GameCube, Natsume should have spent a bit more time streamlining the code.

The loading times were the second thing I've become annoyed with .. but, as I mentioned before, I have played the GameCube versions and was used to speedy load times. Loading time was always the one thing GameCube had over PS2, so the slow loading times were sad to see but definitely expected.

In summary, while not perfect, this is out of the three the best Playstation Harvest Moon game. There is a lot to see, a lot to do, and many people to talk with. Other than the timing issues, the game did not have many other serious problems. My only observation is that they should have worked to put in some of the elements of Another Wonderful Life that enhanced the gameplay.

After looking at screenshots and the marvelous revious for the same game in the Gamecube I was thrilled that its company Marvelous Interactive released a PS2 version of it in Japan, hence it would be imported to the US.
Unfortunately due to some misclaculation from the programmers at some point the American version falls short of dazzling the players unlike its original Japanese PS2 counterpart.

The Cons:
1-The main character you play as moves too slow, hence the control buttons of some of his actions when tending to animals, giving presents to the other charcters, talking, harvesting, etc.
All the other characters move too slow, as in a slow motion sports replay.When he runs/walks he tends to slow down according to the terrain's surface and if he is going up or downhill; this adds realism but still way too slow.

2-Loading time takes from 5 to almost 15 full seconds everytime the characters enters or exits a building, or checks the contents of his backpack. Your TV goes blank and a tiny "now loading" message appears on the bottom right corner of the screeen. This is extremely annoying, as the Gamecube version (which I also own) does not work that way.

3-Save for the indoors scenery all outdoors environments look too grainy,colors are pale (adjusts your TVs) and without much datail on them. Again I must compare to the original PS2 version of Japan and the Gamecube where the graphics are gorgeous, and I must ask what happened?!

The Pros:
1-Aside from the farmwork the character must marry, raise a baby and make friends and archeological discoveries.A new bride character is available that wasn't so in the Gamecube. The ability to have a daughther instead of a boy too. One must visit the Sprites home and talk to the pot many many many times(keep pressing the X button) until he grants you a child of the sex you choose. New events include a number of scenes with the new would be wife and the child you'll have with her.

2-The main player character changes his clothes (is a color change; same outfit, but still a welcomed change) in accordance to the seasons (fall, winter, spring, summer), as well as his wife.

3-During the very first period of the game you're able to make better profits. The color of your horse can be white, a sandy beige or even a dark brown (almost black).

4-It's a life simulation rather than just a farming simulation. The main character you play as has the highs and lows of work and making friends and raising a child.Eventually all characters age, as your child grows, and makes a life of his/her own later on. Theres even a (warning spoiler ahead)




death scene, you die, but once your "life" is completed you can restart with all acquired goodies from the farm you have made.
For players of Save The Homeland, who don't have a Gamecube I do recommend this Harvest Moon game as it will be quite the gaming experience, and different from the Save the Homeland premise. One just have to get used to the grainy outdoors and slow loading.

I have all three games for the playstation/2, and this is my favorite. I don't even notice any "choppy" graphics or anything. The music is pretty cool, and you can find and buy more records to change it. The character does move quite slow, but after a while you get use to it. And then when you get a horse, the problem is basically eliminated.

If you only have a playstation 2 and have never played A Wonderful Life/Another Wonderful Life for the Game cube, you'll LOVE this game.

If you do have a game cube and have played either of those games, you may not like this game so much.

You only have four festivals, one every season which are each 10 days long. But the days are very long, so you don't have to worry about not having enough time to do anything.

This game is very addicting, as I have been playing it all weekend and am in Chapter 2. The children are adorable, and great bundles of joy. You can snuggle, pat, talk, and throw/catch them. Your wife does help out a little bit, and leaves the house.

You can do different things to influence your childs, future and interests.

There are many animals to choose from, even ducks, you can also get different colored horses. You can even chose if you want a son or daughter by talking to the pot in the Sprites place untill it say you win, then talk to the harvest sprites and chose. You also have the ability to now marry Lumina.

And it is also, by far, my favorite harvest moon game.

I'd say you should rent it first, and decide if it's for you from that.

I played this game for the first time on my roommate's Gamecube. I was a bit skeptical when she told me how awesome the game was, as it looked extremely boring to me. However, she left the apartment for the day and I popped the game in to see what all the fuss was about. Next thing I knew I had been playing the game for FOUR HOURS. I was elated to learn they made a version for the PS2, and I picked it up right away.

Be warned that when going right from the Gamecube version to the PS2, you will be a bit appalled. The PS2 version was definately a rush job. The loading times are ridiculous, and the graphics not nearly as crisp and clean. I was dissapointed at first, but eventually, you get into a groove.

I hardly notice it anymore. For those who have never played Harvest Moon and only have a PS2, I strongly suggest picking it up. It's a very unique, almost relaxing game, and it's strangely addicting. For those who have it on the Gamecube, don't bother.

But for all you PS2 users, don't let the negative reviews deter you. I agree that compared to the Gamecube version its crap, but if you've never played a Harvest Moon game before, you are in for a treat. Slow Harvest Moon is better than no Harvest Moon at all. Believe me. I know.

I'm a sucker for the Harvest Moon games. Sure, they seem to be geared toward a younger crowd with their simple play and they are very repetitious (same thing, day in and day out), but I find it addicting and just keep playing to find out what *might* happen. I admit it, I want to see what happens to my farmer, his family and his farm. If Natsume ever does a Harvest Moon puzzler game, I'm there.

Clearly, this isn't a game everyone is going to like and appreciate. The graphics are quite good, it's stock full of chibi style characters. The game play is simple - you plant, you take care of your animals, you interact with friends and family. It is repetitive.

However, the cute characters and interactions evolve and you want to see where it will go next. It is a great way for younger players to explore what happens in life. It can even encourage an appreciation of farm life. There is an ultimate goal, but game play is simple and mostly freeform.

Try it and you might be surprised to find that you like it.

This is a great game! I only have 2 complaints! Trust me I usually find 9 or more! They are that it is a little slow and it is also dark in the mornings. But it has good graphics, sound, and gameplay. The "heart" scenes are also better.

I was excited to finally hear that this game was out for ps2, seeing as I no longer had a gamecube available for me to use. I was upset when my brother sold his gamecube, because I later found out my ps2 was busted. Little did I know, I would be getting this game, and a brand new ps2 for Christmas.Once I opened all my presents I ran into my room, hooked up my ps2 and plopped the game into the system. It was different from Harvest Moon N64 in a good way. The only complaints I Have are the slow loading times, and the lag in the game. Other than that this game is amazing. I finally have the game that is avaiable for GameCube for a system I own!

I like Harvest Moon A Wonderful Life Special Edition. I however recommend spending an extra $100 dollars for a Gamecube. The Gamecube Edition is faster and easier to play. Sure there are extra features in the special edition but it isn't worth it to wait for more than a few seconds to move your character and other simple actions.

If you already have the Gamecube version of this game, I think you shouldn't get this game, because the only difference is the fact that you can get a baby girl, and a few mess ups have been corrected. Don't let the title fool ya, it should be named: Harvest Moon: A Wonderful life for PS2 (with a few changes).
This is ok though.
Pros:
This makes everything cheaper for those people that want this game, but only have a PS2.
You can now have a baby girl (that I may say is kind of mean) and marry Lumina.
A few glitches were fixed.
Cons
Ummmmmm....
nothing.

I hope you have fun with your new game.

PS read other reviews on other questions, I just talked about the changes.

I bought this game for my 11 year old daughter. She'd played it at her friend's house, and loved it. It is charming! Everyone in out family loves it. No overly annoying music, and no fast moving or realistic graphics. This is a great game in which you are a farmer, you must buy farm animals and supplies, court and wed a wife, raise a family, etc. No blood, no gore. Great for families with old fashioned values.

Not everyone will like this game because it is NOT flashy or loud or violent, BUT MY FAMLIY LOVES IT!!!