Natsume and developer appci have announced that Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home will launch for iOS and Android devices on August 23. This new entry in the long-running farming simulation series aims to bring the franchise’s signature gameplay to mobile platforms.
The game takes place in Alba Village, a rural community facing challenges due to an aging population and youth emigration. The game tasks players with revitalizing the village by engaging in various activities such as farming, animal husbandry, fishing, and mining. The game’s core objective is to increase the town’s happiness and prosperity through social interactions, gift-giving, crop sales, and quest completion.
Natsume president and CEO Hiro Maekawa highlighted the game’s focus on community-building and personal milestones. Players can progress at their own pace, experiencing events like caring for their first cow, forming romantic relationships, and starting a family.
The game includes a robust romance system, with four bachelors and four bachelorettes available for players to pursue, court, and potentially marry. To keep players engaged, the game incorporates various contests and festivals, adding diversity to the gameplay. Additionally, the game implements a unique “Happiness” system, allowing players to grow the village and attract new residents as they progress.
Furthermore, the game also features familiar characters, including the player’s childhood friend, adding a nostalgic element for series fans. The developers have designed all of these features to create a rich, immersive mobile gaming experience that captures the essence of the Harvest Moon series.
As a standalone mobile application, the developers have designed Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home to launch with flexibility allowing players to enjoy the game wherever and whenever they choose, making it accessible for both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.