760 X333 Within Post Rune Factory 4 Chars

Following on from the classification of Rune Factory 4 by the German videogame rating board in October, XSEED Games — in conjunction with Marvelous Europe — has announced the most successful iteration in the series to date will arrive in Europe and Australia exclusively via the 3DS eShop next week, on 11th December.

The latest instalment of the critically acclaimed Bokujo Monogatai spin-off series includes not only life simulation and farming, but also classic action-JRPG elements – all captured within a stunning fantasy setting. The adventure takes place within the Kingdom of Norad, where players take on the role of a prince or princess and assist people within a small town known as Selphia.

Created by acclaimed series producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto, Rune Factory 4 offers countless items, crops and weapons to discover and grow, and features an assortment of gameplay experiences:

Huge game world - The incredibly large and diverse amount of activities on offer ensure that each day is a new adventure

Customise your battle strategy - Use swords, spears, staves plus other weapons, Rune Abilities and more to personalise your battles, and bring friends or even monsters with you into combat for moral and tactical support

Start a passionate romance! – For the first time in series history, players may choose a male or female protagonist, then pursue the dream of a loving wife or a caring husband from among the game’s colorful cast of characters

Take charge of the town – The game’s “Order” mechanic allows players to employ their regal powers to hold festivals, enact sweeping changes and otherwise make Selphia into a town that people just can’t stop talking about

Rune Factory 4 will be available on 11th December for a price of £24.99, €29.99, and $49.95 respectively. If you live in a PAL territory and have been waiting for this title’s local release, share your excitement in the comments below.

While you wait, make sure you also check out our review of the unique RPG title, which we described as a “gem of a game”, awarding it a 9/10 when it was released in North America.