The latest game in the cult favorite farming series Harvest Moon will feature some new twists...

Marvelous Interactive, the Japanese publisher of the popular cult series Bokujou Monogatari (also known as Harvest Moon), has announced a new game in the works for the Nintendo DS. The series is famous for providing an addicting farming-sim experience, giving players the chance to grow their own crops, raise their own livestock and marry an attractive wife (husband, in some of the newer female-targeted versions) of their choosing. The new DS title however, called Rune Factory: Shin Bokujou Monogatari, will offer new twists to the established Harvest Moon formula.

Rune Factory, as part of Marvelous' new Shin Bokujou Monogatari series (literally "New Harvest Moon") that are poised to offer different takes on their Harvest Moon property, is set to offer players a fantasy world setting where players will have monsters to contend with besides their usual farming regimen. Described by producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto as Harvest Moon with a sword, players will even be able to capture and train monsters for their fighting party back on their farms. Developed by Neverland Company, known for their japan-only PS2 strategy RPGs, the game currently has a 2006 release date. It's even rumoured to be online.

Look forward to more details as they come in.