For those of you that aren't aware, Rune Factory is an interesting RPG that aims to merge elements of Harvest Moon with more conventional fantasy themes. While a large portion of the game does revolve around tending crops and building relationships with fellow villagers, there's also dungeons to explore and monsters to slay or befriend. We awarded Rune Factory 4 – the most recent entry in the series – a 9/10, praising its irresistible charm and the diverse amount of things to do.
Unfortunately, Neverland – the original developers of the series – was forced to close its doors shortly after the release of Rune Factory 4. There hasn't been talk of a new Rune Factory since, but evidently there's still hope. Ken Berry - the VP at XSEED, the publisher of the series - recently took part in an interview with Destructoid and a question arose around what's next for the franchise. Here's what Berry had to say:
There are continuing discussions on how to keep the Rune Factory series going, despite Neverland, the original developers, no longer being around. Hopefully, something will come of that in the not too distant future, because Rune Factory 4 was the best-selling title in the series, I believe, and it's a series that's been growing and growing over the years. Marvelous knows fans are clamoring for a sequel and are looking for ways to make it happen.
What do you think? Will the Rune Factory series live on? What would you like to see out of another entry? Drop us a comment in the section below.
[source destructoid.com]
Comments 36
Rune Factory 4 is such a good game, so charming. I'd love to see a fifth instalment come to Europe.
I could never go back to playing Harvest Moon.
Speaking the obvious, but I'd love a Rune Factory Frontier for WiiU (or should that be NX now?) that isn't Tides of Destiny... I need that combination of small, cosy town and relatively short but numerous dungeons. Love RF4 but the final dungeon is such a massive hurdle it's sort of put me off finishing the story!
I'd never heard about this until a friend recommended 4. What I love most about it is how doing virtually anything contributes to your level in some stat. It's that constant progression that can really hook you into it.
RF4 was awesome. Another game would be great but how about putting it onto a device that can do the visuals justice, like the vita?
I'm still upset this game is download only in Australia. I want my games in boxes damn it! I mean, look at that art on the game box. And I want cartridges. Damn you Nintendo and your region locking!
It should live on. I'm not a huge fan of Rune Factory. I just don't get it at times. When to be Farming, when to schmooze the girls in town, when to adventure. It confuses me and frustrates me at times. But for the people who truly love this game is should continue on, there are many, many people out there who love it. How does a company with a hot selling game go out of business? Even though I'm not a fan all the Ideas in the game are brilliant. Maybe there's just too much going on for my taste. This is a series that should not die. It would be a damn shame.
@Windy I think the point is that you can do any of those things whenever you want and as much or as little as you want. It's extremely open ended.
@Nomad : This! I completely, whole-heartedly agree!
The game jumped back to $40 recently for a physical copy here, I'd say we're looking at a lot of demand for another Rune Factory on 3DS.
I'm also a big fan of the series.
There have actually been 6 games including the two console titles.
Rune Factory: Frontier remains one of my all time favorites.
If love another title in the series.
I really hope they make another one. I also hope they don't do what Natsume did and make their own imaging (where they completely took out most of what had been core to the series since the start) with Harvest Moon.
I absolutely love Rune Factory 4 and it is even in my 3DS as I type this so it would be a real shame for there to never be another game in the series. Not every series needs a dozen games in its lifespan so even if this was the last one it definitely went out on a high note!
I have only ever played the 1st Rune Factory, for the DS. I used to play the CRAP out of Harvest moon when I was younger, so when I heard that there was a harvest Moon with swords and monsters.... I was all in! Great game to. Now I need to get a copy of 4, haha...
No chance of RF4 in EU, then?
Another reason why I attempted to get this series into Smash via the ballot. Even if I can't start out with Amber or Xiao...Raguna in Smash would be a good start. (and then maybe in a later game my favorite girls can be playable. TwT )
Anyways yeah, RF4 is awesome.
@andrea987 RF4 has been in EU for almost a year now via the eShop. We won't ever get a physical copy though.
Fingers crossed.
Yes, please, make it happen!
Rune factory is the game play link that gives me the feeling i had playing my first harvest moon games. Now I hate the new harvest moon and story of season so far.... but RF keeps my interested. I would love a new title, assuming they redo the graphics, cause 4 was not a good looking game, but it was fun. Super fun.
@Windy as far as what to do when... whenever you are trying to progress in something and it seems to slow you go to something else. For example, your farm is to big and you cant manage it any more you focus on building barns and getting monsters. Then your bored cause all the work is done for you so you go out and beat some of the caves. Then the caves become too hard so you focus on building weapons and armor. But you can do whatever you want. That is the best part
I didn't get into Rune Factory until Frontier, and that might still be my favourite game in the franchise, but RF4 was still a phenomenal entry to the series that gave fans of simulations and action RPG's alike a deep and immensely fun experience that allowed your organizing skills (or lack thereof) to run wild without dire consequences.
That said, I do believe that Rune Factory as a concept might need a bit of fresh mechanics to add to the rundown, otherwise it wouldn't snap with most people. Still, even a spiritual successor that just plays it safe would be great to (re)introduce people to what may very well be the most action-packed farm life imaginable!
I love both Harvest Moon and Rune Factory quite equally. I hope Natsume had plans to make another RF, in fact I'm more excited for another RF over any Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy games now and that is saying something about the series. When games like Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy aren't exciting anymore, there's something wrong with the gaming industry, either that or my taste in RPG change.
I loved Rune Factory 4 and I really do hope they can bring the series back.
@Nomad You can get around region-locking with the homebrew Smealum made. I suggest checking out his twitter. Currently there's are quite a few exploits out. You'll want to use a permanent one, though.
I tried the first Rune Factory and couldn't get into it. May have to try RF4, and not just because 4 is my lucky number.
@Yai I know, I don't buy expensive digital games, sorry, unless is something that can last me the whole console cycle (Mario Kart, etc)
Rune factory 4 is a huge improvement over the previous ones except maybe 3.
It would be great if there were another console version like Frontier and Oceans. Both were great IMO.
I hope to see more installments! I truly love Rune Factory.
Great! Enjoyed each Rune Factory game so I would really like to see RF5 as well!
Hopefully, they will bring back multiplayer..
@MitchVogel yeah I know and funny thing is I usually love Open ended RPG's. This one just rubs me the wrong way I guess. ive seriously tried my save file for RF4 is 60 hours. I guess thats a bummer for me. I did like RF4 better than tides pf destiny
@Nerevar They could have done better with the 3DS they just didn't. That's what put me off buying it for years, but after playing it I can understand their focus went more into the size and other content. Even if it was on Vita I doubt their probably small budget would allow for great visuals and the same scope...
P.S. It also would have sold like poo so there's that.
@Windy I think it was their parent companies fault, but I don't remember.
I could have sworn I hear a while back that RF5 was underway, or that the changes wouldn't effect it, not sure if it got postponed or what. Marvelous has the core team on-board though, so whatever they come up with should be good at least.
@Windy
Rune factory is the only series they've really had going for quite a while, and while its growing the series is still somewhat niche. Either they had more expenses than one series could cover, or the parent company screwed up. Its possible they had their funding cut or something too.
As for the series rubbing you the wrong way, could it be the lack of direction? The games don't do too great a job telling you where to go or what to do to advance. The event for triggering arc 3 for example. Between that and Dolce's marriage events I'm basically stalling. The events are a bit too random at times.
@Zombie_Barioth You probably hit the Nail right in the head. I did prefer Fantasy Life much more than Rune Factory and that would lead me to believe you are correct. I still put in Quite a few hours (60+) into RF4 and I did enjoy the dungeons quite a bit. I also enjoyed RF4 more than any of the DS versions.
@Nomad Yeah it's just garbage. I can't support eshop when it's so damn expensive. I can resell a physical game and make my money back. eshop shouldn't cost the same as a physical copy.
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