HARVESTELLA

要说是纯粹一坨也不至于。主要的问题还是价格过高，打骨折尝个鲜还行的水平，原价买就是纯粹是大怨种了。 半成品无配音，特殊时期出的，导致奇怪的主角模型等就不多说了，游玩体验也属于差劲的。 无论是当种田游戏和当剧情游戏看待，都十分割裂。 强行做成蹩脚的即时制的战斗部分，真不如做成回合制。 前期的战斗部分是蹩脚，后期的战斗部分，是蹩脚又窝火。 当你被剧情调动了情绪，剑在弦上非常想连续往下追看看时，请回去长时间种田筹集资源，就十分的窝火。 为了拖时间，后面的地图，FEAR怪数值也很离谱，还放在主线必经之路上，没法绕开。 想过剧情往里走，直接锁门加挨一下半血，加硬直等负面效果，这么整死很多次让人心态爆炸。 虽然说打掉小怪门能开，但是蹩脚的战斗系统会让你心态爆炸，大多数时候一顿试图操作发现压根没法操作。 只能拼资源硬耗和FEAR怪打起来，然后废半天劲没走两步又是一只FEAR拦路， 消耗太多又回去种田吧，这数值设计，纯粹是没活硬拖玩家时间了。 而种田想好好种又需要主线探索度足够，否则一堆没解锁的配方。 优点是整体剧情不错，主线讲了一个有头有尾的故事，支线也有点意思，音乐不错，画面的观感不错。 只推荐在打骨折时，并且考虑开修改器，达成一气呵成连贯式的打完主线，这个时候回味整体剧情还是蛮有意思。 然后喜欢种田休闲的再慢慢的玩一玩，听一听歌，可能会体验稍微好一点。

I have spent too much time on reddit, and downgrading and upgrading...uninstalling and reinstalling, moving the files over from one hard drive to another...only to hit the play button and get on a black screen that doesnt load a game at all. I have less than 20 minutes on this game BECAUSE I cant even load it on this computer or my laptop. My friend gets stuck on a black screen when he uses his steam deck on specific chapters??? Nah, for 60 bucks I expected better. And I have troubleshoot the crap out of this. If I can run games like The Finals (with their own code being issues) and Dune awakening....You'd think I would be able to run a single player game...but I cant even load up the "NEW GAME" option...tf?

I really enjoyed Harvestella. I came in with low expectations because it seemed to me that it was Square Enix jumping on the cozy game train and this was just a cash grab. I was pleasantly surprised with how much effort they put into this game. I wouldn't really call it a "cozy" game because it revolves around a lot of combat and dungeons but the farming and cooking elements paired nicely. The combat is lacking due to it being action based but there isn't a good dodge action (they have a "step" action but it gets animation locked often), and there is no healing class so you just have to heal with items which you have to forage or cook. Speaking of classes, you can unlock several of them and choose between 3 during combat. It reminds me of FFXIV combat including telegraphed attacks and boss battles after dungeons and very FFXIV choir boss themes. This game really feels like a FFXIV "lite" with farming elements and I'm not mad about that becaue I love FFXIV. Theres a lot of throw away quests but the story is really good. The sound track was also nice, they reuse a lot of tracks but I never really got tired of hearing the same ones over again. Honestly this is a really solid game and I was on the fence about it for a while but I'm really glad I played it.

Well, I really wanted to enjoy this game but as of now, this feels like a complete rip off of a game, theres not that much to do so far. Idk if the game is just really slow or if I am dopamine hungry but I dont understand the combat of the game and I am have died twice already in chapter 2. I am going to give this game a 6/10 because the combat and the simplicity of the game so far hasn't really left a lasting impression. Anyway thanks for reading.

HARVESTELLA, published by Square Enix, is a bold and unexpected fusion of life simulation, farming mechanics, and traditional Japanese RPG storytelling. Released on Steam, the game aims to bridge two seemingly different genres: the laid-back, day-to-day rhythm of farming sims like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, and the narrative-driven, combat-heavy style of Final Fantasy or Rune Factory. While it doesn't always achieve perfect harmony between its gameplay components, HARVESTELLA offers a unique and ambitious experience that deserves recognition for its scope, worldbuilding, and emotional core. At the heart of the game is your player-created protagonist, who awakens during a deadly seasonal event called Quietus—a time of death and decay that occurs between the four vibrant seasons. This mysterious phenomenon disrupts the natural flow of time and agriculture, and its creeping influence becomes the central mystery of the plot. From the outset, HARVESTELLA establishes a strong narrative foundation. Themes of environmental collapse, identity, time, and loss are woven into a surprisingly rich and emotional story that expands well beyond the quaint village life you might expect from the farming sim elements. What begins as a quiet life in a rural town soon transforms into an epic journey involving ancient technology, forgotten civilizations, and the fate of the world itself. The farming and life sim mechanics are fully realized, though not without some quirks. Players till soil, plant crops, raise animals, cook meals, craft gear, and upgrade their farm—all within a daily time limit that encourages efficiency. The system is satisfying and methodical, especially as the seasons change and new crops become available. However, farming is only one part of the gameplay loop. Each in-game day must be carefully managed to balance between tending to your homestead and venturing out into dungeons, towns, and story missions. Overexerting your character results in stamina penalties or lost progress, forcing players to prioritize wisely. While not as deep or customizable as genre leaders like Stardew Valley, the farming aspect adds a welcome layer of routine and comfort to contrast the high-stakes narrative and combat. Combat in HARVESTELLA is surprisingly fast-paced and action-oriented. Players can equip multiple job classes such as Mage, Fighter, Shadow Walker, and others, each with their own skills, strengths, and combos. Switching between jobs mid-battle is fluid and encourages experimentation. The real-time combat system is competent, though somewhat simplistic, especially early on. Enemy variety improves as the game progresses, and boss fights—often linked to major narrative developments—demand more strategic use of dodging, timing, and ability combinations. Over time, the job system reveals its depth as new abilities unlock and synergize. While not on the level of more combat-focused action RPGs, HARVESTELLA’s combat is enjoyable and serves as a meaningful progression path alongside the farming mechanics. Visually, the game is a treat. It blends vibrant color palettes, fantastical architecture, and seasonal environments to create a world that feels magical and alive. Each region, from the crystalline winter forests to the desolate wastelands affected by Quietus, is distinct and memorable. Character designs are detailed and full of personality, with a charming mix of fantasy and science fiction aesthetics. Towns are populated by NPCs with their own stories and side quests, and although the animation work can feel a bit stiff at times, the art direction shines through. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Go Shiina, is another standout feature—lush, atmospheric, and emotionally charged. Music shifts seamlessly between calm melodies on the farm and soaring battle themes, adding weight to the game's many emotional and narrative beats. One of HARVESTELLA’s strongest aspects is its worldbuilding. Each town you visit has its own culture, values, and conflicts that feed into the broader narrative. The storyline touches on surprisingly mature themes, including mortality, personal identity, and humanity’s relationship with nature and technology. The Quietus season, in particular, serves as a powerful metaphor for environmental and existential dread. There are also meaningful relationships to build with various characters—both platonic and romantic—though romance is understated compared to other life sims. Still, the personal stories you unravel through side quests and character arcs give the world a lived-in feeling and help ground the sweeping fantasy with genuine human emotion. Despite its many strengths, HARVESTELLA is not without flaws. Inventory management can be cumbersome, with limited space and awkward UI elements. The day-night cycle, while key to the game’s structure, sometimes feels overly restrictive, especially when balancing farming, exploration, and social interaction. Some story pacing issues arise in the mid-game, where farming feels underused due to long stretches of dungeon crawling. Additionally, while the narrative ambitions are impressive, certain plot twists can feel rushed or melodramatic, and dialogue occasionally veers into exposition-heavy territory. Yet even with these shortcomings, the game consistently pushes forward with heart and creativity. In conclusion, HARVESTELLA is a refreshingly original hybrid that manages to carve out its own identity despite the towering influence of both its parent genres. It may not reach the mechanical polish of a top-tier farming sim or the combat sophistication of a high-end RPG, but it brings both elements together in a way that feels coherent, heartfelt, and rewarding. With its vibrant world, emotionally resonant story, and well-integrated systems, it invites players to not only save the world, but to find beauty in its daily rhythms along the way. For those willing to embrace its hybrid nature and occasional rough edges, HARVESTELLA offers a rich and memorable journey that stands out in a crowded field. Rating: 7/10

Love it!

A great game, nice story, 100% would recommend.