Harvest Moon: Back to Nature
- Release date
December 16, 1999
- Platform
PlayStation (PS1)
- Developer
Victor Interactive Software
Characters
Walkthrough
Overview
Overview
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature is a beloved farming simulation role-playing game that captivated players on the PlayStation in the early 2000s. Developed by Victor Interactive Software and published by Natsume in North America, this charming title invites players to breathe new life into their grandfather's abandoned farm. Set in a quaint rural village, the game combines engaging farm management with deep social interactions, allowing players to cultivate crops, raise animals, and forge relationships with colorful local characters. With its blend of daily farm chores, community events and the pursuit of romance, Back to Nature offers a relaxing yet rewarding gameplay experience that has solidified its place as a classic in the long-running Harvest Moon series.
Release Date & Platform
- Japan Release: December 16, 1999
- North America Release: November 20, 2000
- Europe Release: January 26, 2001
- Platform: PlayStation (PS1)
It's worth noting that while this game was originally released for the PlayStation, it later received a port to the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2005, titled Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl. This version included some additional features and the option to play as a female character.
Developer & Publisher
- Company: Victor Interactive Software
- Key Personnel: Yasuhiro Wada (Creator)
- Publisher: Natsume (Japan), Ubisoft (Europe)
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature was developed by Victor Interactive Software. This Japanese video game company has been involved with the Harvest Moon series since its inception. The game was produced under the guidance of series creator Yasuhiro Wada, who aimed to expand on the farming simulation concept that had proven successful in previous titles.
During development, the team focused on leveraging the PlayStation's capabilities to create a more immersive rural environment and more detailed character interactions compared to earlier entries in the series. The publishing landscape for Back to Nature varied by region.
In Japan, it was published by Victor Interactive Software, while Natsume handled publishing duties in North America, continuing their long-standing relationship with the Harvest Moon franchise. In Europe, publishing responsibilities fell to Ubisoft, which brought the game to PAL regions slightly later than other markets. This collaborative effort across different companies helped bring Back to Nature to a global audience, contributing to its status as one of the most fondly remembered entries in the Harvest Moon series.
Gameplay
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature, released for the PlayStation in 1999, is a beloved entry in the farming simulation series. The game's story begins with the player character returning to their grandfather's farm in Mineral Town, which they visited as a child. The mayor informs you that your grandfather has passed away and left you the farm, but you must prove your worth as a farmer within three years or you'll have to leave.
Gameplay revolves around:
- Farm management: Clearing land, planting and harvesting crops, and raising livestock.
- Social interactions: Building friendships with villagers and potentially romancing one of five eligible bachelorettes.
- Time and resource management: Balancing daily tasks with limited time and energy.
- Seasonal activities: Adapting to changing seasons that affect crops and events.
- Town events: Participating in festivals and holidays throughout the year.
- Mining and foraging: Exploring caves for resources and gathering wild items.
The game doesn't have a strict linear storyline but progresses through your farm's development, relationship building, and seasonal changes. Your success is evaluated at the end of the three-year period, determining whether you can continue running the farm indefinitely.
Back to Nature is praised for its charming characters, engaging farming mechanics, and the freedom it gives players to shape their rural life as they see fit.
Trivia
1. Unlike most games in the series, you can give multiple gifts per day to NPCs to boost their friendship and love points.
2. Though your farm starts out basic, flashbacks show it was once a thriving chicken farm.
3. While many characters come from Harvest Moon 64, only the Doctor, Pastor Carter and Won are unique to this game (not counting Harvest Sprites).
4. There's a mysterious red mailbox between the Supermarket and Hospital. It serves no purpose but displays cryptic messages when interacted with.
5. In the male version, the mailbox text reads "mother and father?", while in the female version it says "Where is this place?"
6. Hackers have found an unused "mail" sprite in the game files. Could it be related to the mysterious mailbox?
7. Zack's house is the only building in the entire game that players can't enter.
8. A popular rumor claimed that if you married all the bachelorettes, a new character named Elizabeth would move to town. (This isn't true, by the way)
9. On Winter 30, the in-game weather forecast humorously predicts "a comfortable balmy winter day."
10. During Spring, you can catch the Harvest Sprites having a tea party. But if you talk to them five times, you can make them work for you instead.
11. The game has a sweet ending twist: the young girl from your character's flashbacks turns out to be whichever bachelorette you marry.