Become a farmer, create a new world (Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GC))

Member Name: kyrarose

Product:	Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GC)
Date:	01/01/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: hours of gameplay, simple graphics, complimentary to the series

Disadvantages: Repetitiveness, though still addictive

Welcome to the world of Harvest Moon, the land of farming? Yes, like in all the HM series you play as a farmer, though in this world you get the choice to play either as a boy or a girl, growing crops and raising animals on your farm, but here's a twist. The Harvest Goddess has found herself turned to stone by, well, herself, as people have forgotten her and forgotten about nature. Your duty, besides crop growing and animal raising, is to find 100 musical notes, resurrecting the instruments that will play the melody that awakens the Goddess (hence the name, eh?)
An addictive little game, the graphics though childish looking (especially for the characters themselves) are only the front of the whole, visually appealing you will see various types of weather, from sunshine to rain, from snow to storms (though you can't leave your house, hope the animals have enough to eat). Doing various activities in the game you will slowly uncover each musical note, eventually helping release the Goddess. Though you only need fifty to do this, then get given "end credits", you can continue on your game after this to collect the rest. Somewhere amongst your crop growing, animal raising and note collecting, you will be given several bachelor/ette choices dependant on which gender you choose, whom you will marry (once upgrading your house, you must build as well) and have children with (who may carry on your lineage). With events throughout each month to compete in or attend, a mine to search and explore, finding jewels for wealth or gifting, and certain types of rocks for tool upgrades, you're sure to find something to do. One hour in game is one minute real time, at a rough, keeping you going through the HM days like a breeze and your heads straight on the game, many I'm sure will find this a worthwhile game, whether for beginners to the series or old fans.
My only qualm with this game would be the length of time cutscenes can take before you're able to do anything (IE getting musical instruments), as well as the low choice of background music, but that's easily set aside when you're playing the game itself.

Summary: All round worthwhile for new and old HM players