Welcome to VC Weekly, N-Europe’s guide to the wonderful world of Nintendo’s download service. Written by Sam C Gittins

Only one title this time but what a classic it is, this is one kind of game that's quite unlike any other you will have played and if you haven't invested in the series yet then why not start here with the very first? Anyway enough from me and on with the game!
 
Available for download this week we have...     

Harvest Moon

Price: GB £5.49, EU €7.99
Publisher: Natsume
Developer: Natsume
Released: 1998
System: SNES

So here we have what is essentially an RPG but of the alternative variety that's based around farming - of all things - would you believe? Initially it may not seem like an excessively enthralling subject matter for such a game, but look past any prejudgments you may have and you will be able to enjoy an experience which is as unparalleled in its uniqueness as it is surprisingly satisfying. It all starts with you playing a budding young farmer to be who has inherited his grandparents ranch which also happens to be in a neglected state as it is in great need of repair; this is where you come in as the task falls upon you as the new owner to bring everything back up to standard and make it the best darn farm you can as well as making a decent name for yourself in the process, so it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

From the start you get two years - game years of course - to rid the farm of all rocks, stumps, weeds and other unsightly hindrances so you can start growing crops, rearing animals for food products, plowing fields and other farm related stuff. You will start off just with the basic tasks like growing and selling vegetables, spending as much time as you can at the farm in order to make ends meet but once you've worked out a routine and got things ticking over nicely you can focus on the much larger accomplishments.

Taking a trip into town will enable you to meet up with the various weird yet wonderful local inhabitants which just happens to include a selection of lovely ladies of whom you can attempt to charm in an attempt to obtain their hand in marriage. Should you prove successful at this tasks you will get to sample better meals, have some children, upgrade your house and generally live an idyllic life.

It is of course also possible to fail at some of the aforementioned tasks but the challenge and simple enjoyment comes from doing your best in order to obtain the best possible endings,  plus due to the various choices available to you and a wealth of secrets to uncover this usually warrants playing the game multiple times so you most certainly get your money's worth here especially considering that obtaining a physical copy of the game on cartridge alone can set you back a good ten times the price that this VC incarnation costs; plus included in your small payment you get to enjoy save states plus the ability to share your experiences with fellow farmers via that there 'Mii-Verse' oo-arr!

Harvest Moon is charming to look at, features some rather mellow but enjoyable accompanying music and is genuinely  a joy to play; the chances are that if you like this type of game you will find it hard to leave until you've completed a full play session. If ever there was a game thats most deserving to go into the category of “alternative RPG” then this is most certainly it, so grab yourself a hoe and plough away like there's no tomorrow!  

Verdict : A meticulously crafted and marvelously magical experience.  

That's it for another installment of VC Weekly which will return again soon. So until then, enjoy the rest of the week and Game On!