UPDATE October 27, 2022
With the full release a few weeks away, I’m happy to report Square Enix has been listening and have implemented the following changes based on fan feedback:
Here’s the full list of tweaks:
- Confirmed Changes Based on Demo Feedback
- Reduced time-lapse speed on the world map and the field.
- Reduced hit time for fishing.
- Reduced cooldown time for job changes.
- Increased the Mage’s normal attack speed.
- Partially reduced loading time.
- Addition of a warning effect when a character’s HP is low.
- Modified UI during save and auto-save.
- Various assorted bug fixes.
While there’s no word on an updated demo, these changes are incredibly welcome regardless. As I indicated below, the baffling way the game handled the passing of time at such a fast pace robbed the player of not only time, but an characteristic most of us treasure in farming / life sims of this nature.
ORIGINAL POST:
I was super stoked when Square Enix announced their fantasy farming sim, Harvestella. It looked absolutely gorgeous and seemed like what I was hoping Rune Factory 5 would be. After going hands on with the demo, and with no desire to see it through to the end, I’m not so sure I feel quite as hyped any more. Let me dive into my initial impressions.
It’s worth noting that this impressions piece is based on the first demo. For all we know, there could be a new revised demo that incorporates fan feedback and gameplay changes similar to what Square Enix did with Bravely Default 2. I’d love to see that happen because I’m all about the flood of cozy games we’ve been seeing over the last few years. Pair that with Square Enix’s storytelling and, well, you have my attention! So with all this excitement for Harvestella, what caused the drought in my hype?
The two biggest pain points I have can easily be changed and, if for whatever reason, an official update doesn’t come out, then I’ll just have to turn to the modding community. I’m hopeful adjustments will be made, as I’ve seen both these issues crop up on Reddit and in other reviews for the demo as well. My biggest gripe is that time fly by far too quickly. Stardew Valley, for example, equates each in game hour to a real world minute—so a day in Stardew totals 24 minutes. I feel like I can’t get enough done within that timeframe which makes Harvestella’s time mechanic feel all the more punishing. I’m not sure if the whole game is like this, but the demo would pester me at 6PM that it was time to head home……really? I just don’t understand. That’s very early and robs me of an additional six hours with which I could get a lot done. Time also moves by hours at a time when visiting areas outside of your main village. So traveling to and from somewhere to, let’s say, forage for resources or grind monsters for drops ends up eating a good chunk of the day. Another annoyance is for game that prides itself on having a deep story with combat, what I played felt pretty basic overall. So basic, in fact, that there doesn’t seem to be a button for dodging attacks.
I also found the proposed controls very odd. Specifically when it came to swapping between my tools and weapons. Please Square Enix, if you hear me, just steal the tried and true inventory bar along the bottom of the screen with shoulder button/trigger navigation. It just felt clumbsy as if the team never played a farming sim or MOBA when it came to easily navigating your tools and items.
It’s not all bad though. I enjoyed the world the series is presenting and I generally like what they’re going for. I’m hoping the final game has far more player customization options and fixes the few gameplay issues I have—especially the passing of time. Here’s to hoping Harvestella blossoms into something beautiful!
