The question of whether Harvest Moon is “dead” is complex. It largely depends on what one considers “Harvest Moon” to be. The original Harvest Moon franchise, known as Bokujō Monogatari in Japan, continues to thrive under that name. However, the Western world’s perception of Harvest Moon has been significantly altered due to a branding split.
For many years, Natsume localized and distributed the Bokujō Monogatari games in North America and Europe under the name “Harvest Moon.” However, in 2014, the licensing agreement between Natsume and the actual developers, Marvelous (formerly Victor Interactive Software), ended. Marvelous decided to self-publish their games in the West under the name “Story of Seasons.”
Crucially, Natsume retained the “Harvest Moon” name. This allowed them to develop and release their own farming simulation games under that banner. These games, while bearing the familiar name, are developed by different teams and generally receive lower review scores and less fanfare than the Bokujō Monogatari/Story of Seasons titles.
Therefore, if “Harvest Moon” refers specifically to the games developed by Natsume post-2014, the perception of its quality and popularity is arguably diminished. Many long-time fans of the original franchise have been disappointed by the direction these games have taken, often citing simpler gameplay mechanics, less engaging storylines, and a general lack of polish compared to the Story of Seasons counterparts.
On the other hand, Story of Seasons continues to be a popular and critically acclaimed series. Games like Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town and remakes like Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town have found success with both returning fans and newcomers to the farming simulation genre. These games often innovate on established mechanics and deliver the charming, addictive gameplay that defined the original Harvest Moon experience.
So, is Harvest Moon dead? The answer is nuanced. The original spirit of the franchise lives on through Story of Seasons, which is very much alive and kicking. The “Harvest Moon” name, however, is attached to a series of games that, while still produced, haven’t captured the same magic or critical acclaim. Ultimately, the “death” of Harvest Moon depends on which series you’re referring to, and which holds more significance for you as a player.
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