Natsume Thanks Fans for Strong Launch of Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley in North America

Just wondering, do you guys have this on tap for a review?

I hate how they basically stole the name. Yes they created the name for localization but they shouldn't be able to use it on games that aren't the real deal. The lost valley may have done great but I believe it is based solely on the success of the original series they are no longer alowed to localize. It's all in the name. I fear how story of seasons will do when it comes out.

Like I want for Animal Crossing, I also want a real Wii U Harvest Moon!

Im speaking in ignorance cause i have not researched, but it seems like most owners hated or really disliked the game. So maybe they made some good sales, but returning gamers are going to be few in number if they make another.

I do not have the game. I do like Harvest Moon, I just haven't got this yet. I've played every Harvest Moon except Save the Homeland.

I passed on this one after reading many reviews and player opinions. Whilst natsume is obviously going to put a positive spin on things, I'm not sure it's reality based.

There is a lot of 'well, it's their first real game from the ground up; the next one will be better' going on. I am getting tired of this attitude. Somewhere along the line during development, there have to be people saying that elements aren't working, be it graphics, gameplay, whatever. It seems they aren't often listened to. I know natsume keeps track of sites such as Fogu, but again don't seem to pay any attention to what long-time fans of the series want in a HM game.

With the 3ds drought from nintendo going on, I am just waiting on SoS.

Considering how bad it was, maybe they expected it to sell 5 and it sold 10?

Excuse me but I disagree with you all. I personally loved the game and I know a lot of others did too. I don't have the same bias as a lot of you since it is my first Harvest Moon game but I liked the fact you had to bring back the seasons. Yes some things in the game could be better but I liked the selection of animals and plants.

@Pokefanmum82 then you were hoodwinked. Seeing as Natsume lost the right to localize the Bokujomonogatari(Harvest Moon) series. This game is a harvest moon in name only and therefore has little to offer. Now for a new comer like you I'd recommend HM: Sunshine Island or HM: A New Beginning those are true harvest moon games from the series creator. And if you like them pick up Story of Seasons" when it releases that is the new name of the harvest moon series since Natsume holds the right to the harvest moon name

As for me I passed on it it's not a real Harvest Moon game so I'm waiting for Story of Seasons

Are you guys ever planning on reviewing Lost Valley? NL's preview sounded positive, but the only review I've read sounded really negative. Not very much is out there about this one. I would like to hear what Nintendo Life has to say about it.

If Natsume really is willing to listen to fan feedback and media comments and evolve the series or whatever they said, they could be doing better than gamecube/wii harvest moon games regularly. Maybe they already are. Maybe being repetitive and stuck in winter for a year is better then the corny mess that was Animal Parade. That game had a terrible frame rate and focused quite a lot on everything except the farming part of the game. The goal here for them should be to pass New Beginning, a recent Harvest Moon game that is good, not average or terrible.

New Beginning was actually good. I would like to see a new HM game with better graphics (looking at the same flat colors got really dull), a few more goals (hopefully ones that don't involve waiting around a year because you forgot to pick up 5 pieces of random junk in the springtime), functional 3D (this is one I played only in 2D), maybe a bit less random junk like the mechanical panda. That's about it, really. Harvest Moon doesn't need to have Skyrim levels of overworld and quest lines.

Imagine that-- japanese games selling well over here and all the company had to do was localize it.

HINT HINT LEVEL5 and LBX HINT WINK NOD GOD DANGIT BRING THAT GAME OVER HERE!

I'm hoping for reviews here too. I am interested in these sorts of games, but there are many similar ones and I can't really keep them apart at this point.

After more or less beating Fantasy Life recently, I decided to pick up a new RPG game last night. I was really considering this game, but went with Rune Factory 4 instead. I knew this wasn't a legit Harvest Moon, but I thought it could still be fun. Sounds like I made the right choice though.

Great. That means more chibi Minecraft Harvest Moon.

PAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS.

I'll get Story of Seasons.

1. I totally didn't even know the game released
2. I'm in shock that it performed well, just shows brand name can sell anything
3. waiting for story of seasons

Nintendolife, perhaps you could review this game next? I'm used to how you guys review products, so I am hesitant about going to other 3rd party reviews. I haven't bought a Harvest Moon game since the N64, so I want to know if it's still good.

http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/harvest-moon-3d-the-lost-valley

Ouch.

@Obito_Sigma Just know this isn't a real Harvest Moon game. Wait for Story of Seasons, it's gotten great reception in Japan.

@mch If you need help telling them apart I can help there. HM:The Lost Valley is not a legit part of the series. look for MarvelousAQL and you'll know it's a legit Harvest Moon or in the case of the next game Story Of Seasons. Natsume only owns the name Harvest Moon not the series, so don't expect anything like "A New Beginning" from them

Slightly off topic, please Natsume...I want snes POCKY N ROCKY 1&2 on wii u vc!!!
Please?? Day 1 purchases!

Meh. Nice knockoff, Natsume. They may own the name, but they don't own the game. The only HM title I refuse to buy.

Wow at all the comments in this thread. So what if it isn't a 'true' HM game? That doesn't make the game itself -bad- or anything. Natsume is trying something new with the franchise, and after what they've done with The Lost Valley, I'm looking forward to see what else they can offer. The idea of terraforming your valley was an awesome and unique idea, being able to form your land however you chose. I made a huge wall, waterfalls and ponds.

The idea of using just one button to mine/chop/fish, etc, is something I've been waiting a long time for. I dunno why Marvelous never bothered to do this after so many years.

It seems that most of you are basing your opinions from what -other- people have said, which is sad. If -they- didn't like it, it doesn't mean that -you- won't like it either. I can't believe people follow Metacritic like some sort of god. The only opinion I listen to is my own.

I'd still be playing it now if my 3DS hadn't gotten stolen. TLV is a step in the right direction, IMO. The -real- HM series is getting kinda stale.

They didn't expect 80k sales of this game??? Man they low balled it.

@Pokefanmum82

you are in a minority, you should check out Metacritic

@ThomasBW84

You have this for the info:

Publisher:
Natsume

Developer:
Marvelous AQL

The game was developed by Natsume as well, not Marvelous.

While I kind of enjoyed Lost Valley, I don't recommend it and I wouldn't call it a good game. I'm surprised that Natsume considers it a success. I wonder if it sold really well?

I prefer the Rune Factory games, but I've seen the popularity of the Harvest Moon series so they are certainly doing something right.

@Donjwolf Actually our comments are based on the fact that Natsume doesn't own the series MarvelousAQL does, natsume was just the one to localize here in america. You can't call it doing something different with the series if Natsume isn't making the series but rather their own version of it.

I bought this game, and put over 70 hours of gameplay into it and still going. I've played MANY of the other Harvest Moon games on multiple systems, and this one is definitely in my top 3 favorites. I truly love this game. Sure, there is room for improvement, but there are also multiple things done better that don't exist in some of the other games. Overall it's an amazing game and I recommend it to anyone who's into the Harvest Moon/Animal Crossing series.

@Malachite Well I already know Natsume doesn't own the series. Regardless, I like the direction they're taking with The Lost Valley. Lots of the features/ideas in that game is rather ingenious and makes me wonder why Marvelous never did any of the sort during their long history of making HM games. HM to me is getting rather stale (last game I bought was ToTT), and Natsume is giving the brand a fresh new coat of paint, even if they don't own it. I'm very interested in seeing what else they come up with for future 'HM' games, moreso than the actual series.

@Pokefanmum82
@cblue85

I'm glad to see there are other fans of this game too. A good game is a good game. It doesn't matter who makes it.

@Donjwolf maybe the only difference I saw the minecraft-ish feature other wise it's a step back to older games like Back to Nature. Idk I guess call it the first game of a new series?

Count me in with the supporters of this game. I enjoyed it much more than Marvelous' latest entry in the series, off which is based their next one.

All the "not a real harvest moon" hate is hilarious too. I'm glad it did better than they expected.

Now, when will that promised dlc be released? We may never know.