Harvest Moon GB (Color version.)
Game by Victor/THE
Reviewed by RJ Macks
Size: 8 Megabits
Save: 1 battery
UK Release: Jan 99
Works with: All Gb's

Opening snide remarks- A farm simulator. Nice.

Gameplay- Basically you have to make make loads of money from nothing. To do
this you must plant, water and harvest crops ( hence the name Harvest Moon),
look after and milk cows, look after chickens and generally being a nice
bloke. Occaisionally there is a crisis like and earthquake, or something or
someone goes missing.

There are quite a few tools which can either be bought or are given to you
for being a good farmer. It is fun and I have been playing it solidly for
over a week and am not bored with it, because I want to find all of the
secrets e.g. the golden hen. Once I find these secrets I probably won't want
to play it for a bit because I will realise what a daft concept it really is,
no matter how superbly it is pulled off.

Sometimes it can feel like a bit too much like hard work playing it, but the
rewards are worth it in the end.

Graphics- The graphics were clear and also colourful. The objects looked like
what they represent except for the dog which looks like a pig. Some nice
little touches: the plants wilt when watered; the rain looks pretty
realistic; the little farmer starts doing exercises when left alone inside.
When the farmer mils thin air it looks a bit dodgy.

Unfortunately the town is a bit disapointing- instead of walking around it
you flash from door to door. In the town the people are pretty detailed.

Sound- This was good. Except that the farmer makes no sound when whistling.
The rain sounds pretty real. The people don't talk, but then this is the
gameboy and that would be a first.

Music- The music is not annoying and sometimes memorable. There is a
different melody for each of the four seasons, and also one for underground.

Play Control- Usually good. Sometimes the wrong spot is watered or sickled
(if that's a word). It is quite annoying and a waste of time going back to
the tool shed for the tools. In the chicken coop the chickens sometimes get
in the way when you are holding grass, and there is no way to get them out of
the way without getting rid of the grass.

Riding on the horse is pretty cool and when you get the saddlebags there is
no annoying trotting back to the collection point to put your crops there. It
also seems a bit stupid that you have to pay to drink your own milk (the cows
milk, actually).

Final Analysis- This farming sim certainly is Nice. It is fun and will last a
long time unless you are intent not to like it from the start. There is also
a lack of action unless attacking defenceless pixies with a sickle or a
hammer gives you kicks.


SCORE
Gameplay- *****
Graphics- *****
Sound- ****
Music- *****
Play control- ****

Final Score 92% (This actually deserves above this because the sound
isn't really an important factor).

Currently Known Codes: None.