Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness

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Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness
Developer(s)Marvelous Interactive
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)Hikaru Nakano
Artist(s)Igusa Matsuyama
Composer(s)Noriko Ishida
Eri Yasuda
Yousuke Agou
SeriesStory of Seasons
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: February 1, 2007
  • NA: August 26, 2008
  • EU: December 12, 2008
  • AU: March 26, 2009
Genre(s)Simulation
Mode(s)Single player

Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness, known simply as Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, and known in Japan as Bokujō Monogatari: Kimi to Sodatsu Shima (牧場物語　キミと育つ島, lit. "Farm Story: The Island Grows With You"), is a farm simulation video game published and developed by Marvelous Interactive Inc. in Japan, and released in North America by Natsume Inc. exclusively for the Nintendo DS. It is the third installment of the Story of Seasons series on the DS. It is the first entry without series creator Yasuhiro Wada involved.

Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness is the second time that the series has branched a protagonist in an ongoing story, as the game no longer taking place in the previous continuity. Alongside its sequel, Harvest Moon DS: Sunshine Islands, they both follow the new protagonists Mark and Chelsea. Prior entries before Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness were all interconnected to a central story of descendants that all carried over the family farm.

Gameplay

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Animals

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Livestock includes cows, chickens, and sheep, which produce milk, eggs, and wool respectively. Work animals include a dog and horse, which can be acquired after meeting certain criteria. The dog protects livestock, and the horse can be ridden and used for farm work.

Marriage

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As in other games in the Harvest Moon series, Island of Happiness offers players a chance to marry. Marriage is only possible once you have met everyone in the game. If playing as a boy, there are six bachelorettes to choose from: Natalie, Witch Princess, Julia, Lanna, Sabrina, and Chelsea. Playing as a girl, there are also six eligible bachelors: Vaughn, Denny, Shea, Pierre, Elliot, and Mark. The couple can also have a child, after a month of marriage. This child progresses only so far as to begin to crawl, toddle, and speak.

Story

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In the beginning, the player (playing either as the male character, Mark, or the female character, Chelsea; the character the player did not choose will later appear as an NPC character) is shipwrecked with a family of four and end up on a deserted island. There seems to be signs of past life on the island, but no one knows what happened. By farming, the player will attract new villagers (much like Harvest Moon: Magical Melody), who provide ranching or agricultural services. Some are characters visiting from Mineral Town. The game ends when the player marries one of the bachelors or bachelorettes.

Development

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The American pre-order bonus was a limited edition plush chicken that was included with the game when ordered from participating retailers.

Reception

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The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[3]

In Australia, Tracey Lien of Hyper commended the game for bringing "back the addictive elements from previous games." However, she criticized the "clumsy control system that makes even the most basic of tasks feel like a chore."[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness for DS Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  2. ^ Liang, Alice (August 28, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Review". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Gantayat, Anoop (February 14, 2007). "Gaming Life in Japan". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  4. ^ Vore, Bryan (October 2008). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Review". Game Informer. No. 186. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 2, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Light, Austin (September 8, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Romano, Natalie (September 15, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness - NDS - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  7. ^ Bozon, Mark (September 3, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness". Nintendo Power. Vol. 231. Future US. August 2008. p. 87.
  9. ^ Ghiggino, Adam (April 3, 2009). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Review". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on December 30, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Hargreaves, Roger (November 20, 2008). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness [Import]". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Marchello, Sam (July 4, 2011). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness - Staff Retroview". RPGamer. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Lien, Tracey (June 2009). "Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness". Hyper. No. 188. Next Media Pty Ltd. p. 44.
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