Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland (2001)

Developer: Victor Interactive Software
Publisher: Natsume Inc.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 2
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy
Rating: 3.5 of 5, 6 player ratings
Where to get it: PlayStation Store

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A quietly comforting farm life experience where tending crops matters less than nurturing friendships, unfolding at a leisurely pace with a soft sense of purpose.

cozyrelaxingslow-pacedwholesomerelationship-focusedgentlecasual

About

The first Harvest Moon game for the PS2 takes a little deviance from all the other games in the series. The goal this time around is to save your town from being turned into a resort next year. The game focuses more on relationships than making money - which is the goal in all other Harvest Moon games to date. You still are running a farm and must succeed in the life of a farmer, but the actual gameplay rewards those who interact with the townspeople over those who just work the fields.

Screenshots

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland screenshot 1

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland screenshot 2

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland screenshot 3

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland screenshot 4

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland screenshot 5

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland screenshot 6

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More by JVCKenwood

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.