Harvestella - Review @ TechRaptor

TechRaptor checked out Harvestella:

Harvestella Review

When Harvestella was announced, I was somewhat skeptical. It was revealed along with a few other Square Enix titles that would be released within close proximity of each other, as if they were just wanting to get everything pushed before the holiday. It was hard not to wonder just what we’d be in for with so much out at once from one company. The other point of skepticism stemmed from the first trailer. Is Harvestella a Harvest Moon or a farming simulation clone? Or it is more in the same vein as something like Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles? At first glance, it seemed like a mixture of both, however, the more I got into Harvestella, it was clear that it’s really its own unique experience.

When we get down to it, Harvestella opens with some typical RPG fare. That is, you’ve got a character creation tool where you can design your avatar and choose their name, and you play the role of the silent protagonist who conveniently is suffering from amnesia. Sounds familiar, right? Right. Despite this tried and true formula, Harvestella does attempt to mix it up a bit. While the story, including your amnesia-ridden protagonist, eases out the gate at a slow pace, things do eventually pick up as they lean heavily on RPG tropes mixed with some unique themes that round out an overall compelling experience. Add in the copious side quests and you’ve got the perfect mix of character stories to go along with the main narrative.

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Harvestella Review | Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to say about Harvestella but my biggest takeaway is that it’s an underrated gem that’s sort of been pushed out at the end of the year with little fanfare. Its solid RPG foundations are packed into a simple, yet charming game that doesn’t let its simplicity hold it back. The story and especially the character writing make up for the vanilla silent protagonist, and the art direction and music are especially a delight. Hopefully, once the holiday dust settles, more people will be willing to give this one a look.

Score: 9/10