E3 2008: Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility Hands-On

It has been 10 years since this franchise started, and we take a look to see how far it has come.

Harvest Moon is celebrating its 10th anniversary with Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility for the Wii. It must have been celebrating for a while now, since we saw the game last year at E3. Like in its many predecessors, you play at your own pace and choose what you want to do. There is a storyline to follow if you choose to follow it, but simulation games are usually not meant to be played for the story.

The overall premise of this title is that you have moved to an island town but the Mother Tree has disappeared. What do you do? You make friends, raise animals, and build friendships and a family. You can choose either a male or a female character when you begin, and eventually you'll have a family and a child, and your child can inherit what you've built if you decide to play the game over again once you've completed the story mode.

On the Wii, your farming can be done by using the Wii Remote motion controls for tools such as a sickle, a hammer, or a watering can. Things can get tiring if you're swinging the remote all day, so there are tool upgrades that let you cover a wider range. If you don't feel like moving, there are corresponding buttons for all your farming needs.

As you progress through the story, not only will you uncover more of the island, but you'll participate in festivals that in turn will unlock minigames that are accessible through the main menu. These games can be played with up to four players, and there are six minigames in total. They are similar to carnival games, like skipping stones, whacking moles, or racing horses.

This game is described as a combination of all the previous titles, and it is much larger. You'll find a wide range of animals, including an ostrich as well as other exotic animals, like goats, sheep, and cows. When you begin the game, you can choose the type of pet you want and work your way toward befriending them. If you've ever wanted a pet raccoon or panda, here's your chance. Instead of foraging, fishing, and mining, you can work part-time jobs to earn some cash.

Even though there is no online component or the ability to share your harvest, fans should find that there is plenty to do to keep busy. Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is set for release on August 26.

36 Comments

  • lilbrenda

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 12:51 pm PT

    I have already bought and paid for the game and now I have to get a refund because you only have 60 days to leave a feedback on ebay. What a shame. Oh well off to look for another game. When it is out I guess then maybe I will purchase it. But never in advance again.

  • uglypinkmoose

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 9:28 am PT

    it looks like magical melody with some wonderfull life mixed in...
    i dont expect much from it
    i hate the goddess crap
    they need to go back to the old story whith the grandpa dying and you bringin his farm back to life
    they are making these games wayyy to kidish these days..
    i guess kids play um the most though..
    owell

  • jonzilla_basic

    Posted Sep 18, 2008 4:48 am PT

    And if they push it again until oct than you will wait for it again. Its ok

  • ariellejodoin

    Posted Sep 17, 2008 2:10 pm PT

    Got to love how it's set to release Aug 26, and now it's not coming out until Sept 30. I have waited for this games since last year, and it's been pushed back every month (by about a month) since January..

  • CamiKitten

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 3:45 pm PT

    This one looks like a definate improvement from the others, so hopefully I'll get this one ^^

  • Vegeta51502

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 3:43 pm PT

    Good Great Grand

  • HylianHeart

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 3:00 pm PT

    Sounds good thus far. I hope it follows in the footsteps of Magical Melody. I love that game.

  • UltraBlue21

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 9:06 am PT

    hahaha, my first thought was, how does a cow count as an exotic pet as well lawls

  • Peach100

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 8:44 pm PT

    I wish there could be online compatibility. But, no matter, this game is still going to be awesome and I'm getting it.

    Can't wait.

  • gonzalezj1

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 10:14 am PT

    Since when do goats, sheep, and cows qualify as exotic animals?
    Oh well. I pick up a Harvest Moon game every few years for my wife - maybe this will be the latest.
    Also, I like the sidebar "Related Games" for Harvest Moon - Kitty LUV and Star Trek: Conquest. I'm sure that's the same target audience.

  • tyzwain

    Posted Jul 21, 2008 1:28 pm PT

    I do like a good Harvest Moon - sad how I live out my gardening fantasies on a game. Maybe one day I'll grow my own veg.

  • anticap

    Posted Jul 21, 2008 5:22 am PT

    Looking forward to this. Hopefully it'll be a lot better than some of the previous Harvest Moon games which were a bit dissapointing.

  • Grodus5

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    Too bad its coming out near Too Human, or I would've got this game on launch Oh well, I'll get it eventually.

  • Nexeus

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 8:00 am PT

    woot... hopefully this will be better then the past few console versions. And hopefully Isle of Happiness wont be all glitchy like HMDS

  • ognen

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 5:14 am PT

    Great

  • lumeiwan

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 5:31 pm PT

    I think alot of retards do exist. Despite the fact that they hate or have no interest in this game, they still want to drop by and leave some un-tasteful comments. How about adding where you're from while doing that, so i can a rough idea where those mysterious beings(retards) reside at?

  • zombieman666

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 1:08 pm PT

    I like harvest moon for some reason

  • Peach100

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 11:52 am PT

    I'm going to get this game. I'm not a real big fan of Harvest Moon games, but they're fun when there's nothing to do.

    I like the idea of the world being bigger and that your child can actually take the farm over and you play as that child when you've finished the main story-line.

  • PuhJesus

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 9:16 am PT

    Wow, I may have to pick this up for the nostalgia.

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