r/harvestmoon • • Apr 06 '20

Explaining the name change to Story of Seasons; What people mean when they say Natsume Harvest Moon games.

1.9k Upvotes

Lately I've noticed there is quite a bit of confusion still about the Harvest Moon series changing their name to Story of Seasons. Especially when the Natsume Harvest Moon games are mentioned. People misunderstand and get defensive of the early games they loved not knowing those aren't the games people are talking about. I thought it would be a good idea to make a post explaining the name change, provide a list of the games that fall under the Story of Seasons series, as well as list the ones that fall under the new Harvest Moon series.

The Japanese series Bokujo Monogatari, directly translated as 'Ranch Story', was developed by Victor interactive, which later was acquired by Marvelous Entertainment, and is now called Marvelous Inc. From 1996-2013 Bokujo Monogatari was translated and distributed for english speaking audiences by Natsume under the name Harvest Moon. In 2014 Marvelous Inc. decided to have the Bokujo Monogatari series localized by their American Publishing brand Xseed Games. Natsume owned the rights to the name Harvest Moon so the english name of the series was changed to Story of Seasons.

Now for those who don't know the developers are the people who make the game. The game is their creation. The publisher is the group that handles the marketing, distribution, and in the case of foreign games translation. Natsume had nothing to do with the Harvest Moon series beyond translating it, distributing the copies, and owning the English title for the games. When Marvelous switched the localization Natsume still owned the name Harvest Moon and decided they would start developing their own games with that title.

The Bokujo Monogatari/Story of Seasons games are:

  • Harvest Moon (1996)
  • BS Bokujo Monogatari (1996 Japanese release only)
  • Harvest Moon GB (1997)
  • Harvest Moon GBC (1998)
  • Harvest Moon 64 (1999)
  • Harvest Moon 2 GBC (1999)
  • Harvest Moon: Back To Nature (1999)
  • Bokujo Monogatari Harvest Moon for Girl (2000 Japanese release only)
  • Harvest Moon 3 GBC (2000)
  • Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland (2001)
  • Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town/More Friends of Mineral Town (2003)
  • Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life (2003)
  • Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life (2004)
  • Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Special Edition (2004)
  • Harvest Moon DS/DS cute (2005)
  • Harvest Moon: Magic Melody (2005)
  • Harvest Moon Boy & Girl (2005)
  • Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness (2007)
  • Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility (2007)
  • Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon (2007)
  • Harvest Moon DS: Sunshine Island (2008)
  • Harvest Moon: Animal Parade (2008)
  • Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar (2008)
  • Harvest Moon Hero of Leaf Valley (2009)
  • Harvest Moon: My little shop (2009)
  • Minna De Bokujou Monogatari (2010 Japanese release only)
  • Harvest Moon: the Tale of Two Towns (2010)
  • Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning (2012)
  • Story of Seasons (2014)
  • Story of Seasons: Trio of Two Towns (2016)
  • Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairy Tale (2016)
  • Doraemon: Story of Seasons (2019)
  • Story of seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (2020)
  • Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town (2021)
  • Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life (2023)

Then the games in Natsume's Harvest moon series are:

  • Puzzle de Harvest Moon (2007 mobile puzzle game)
  • Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming (2009 mobile puzzle game)
  • Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley (2014)
  • Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories (2016 Mobile game)
  • Harvest Moon: Skytree Village (2016)
  • Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (2017)
  • Harvest Moon: Mad Dash (2019)
  • Harvest Moon: One World (2020)
  • Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (2023)

The Natsume Harvest Moon series is controversial in this sub. It is considered by most to be a cheap imitation of Harvest Moon with watered down mechanics; capitalizing off of the Harvest Moon name. Light of Hope was even marketed saying it was in honor of the 20th anniversary of Harvest Moon despite it being an entirely new series. Personally I've only played Natsume's Light of Hope. If you can get past the mobile game style graphics the game play is pretty good and the characters are likable. I've heard mostly bad things about Skytree Village and Lost Valley, and haven't heard anything good about the mobile games either. Regardless of if you play the Natsume games or not I hope this post helps to clear up some of the confusion for both new and old fans.

Edit: The intentions of this post were not to convince you to play or not play any of the games. If you like the Natsume games that's great! If you're curious and want to try them that's up to you. Just like the original series each game has people that love it and people that don't like it. What's important is that you have fun!

Edit: I have added the games that have been released since I made this post in April 2020. I've also added games that are currently announced in March 2023. If I don't continue to update the list every time a new game is announced or released just remember all future Harvest Moon games are from Natsume and all Story of Seasons are the original series.


r/harvestmoon • • 21h ago

Fanart Popuri fan art by me in 2025

Thumbnail
gallery
216 Upvotes

She is one of my favs! I absolutely adore Popuri.

Whos your fav bachelorette from harvest moon? Should I draw all of them? :3


r/harvestmoon • • 11h ago

Question I think i have a bug

Thumbnail
gallery
21 Upvotes

Yesterday I got my copy of Echoes of Terada in the mail, and I played a bit of it this morning.

I logged off and had things to do. I was done and I sat down and turned on my switch and went to play, when it said there was a software update. Okay!! Cool. It does it's thing and i go to boot up the game and i get this error code.

So I went back to my home screen because ??? Didn't you just do a software update? It says its up to date. So i figured it was my console. Nope. That's up to date.

I ejected the game restarted my switch and am still getting the error despite me literally downloading the update 😭 so what the heck do I do?

I checked for corrupted data and it came back good, so now what 🥲


r/harvestmoon • • 8h ago

Orange Jam from Story of Seasons + Trio of Towns and Rune Factory: Frontier! In all of the other games, marmalade takes this place, but there is a distinction! Jam does not contain any parts of the orange peel, which is required in marmalade.

Post image
10 Upvotes

r/harvestmoon • • 8h ago

Fanart Originally I was gonna draw Ran tomorrow but I decided to draw her today instead too

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

r/harvestmoon • • 7h ago

Harvest Moon eot

4 Upvotes

Anyone else on the switch 2 unable to open the game after the update. Mine keeps telling me to restart but every time I try it doesn't do anything. Help please


r/harvestmoon • • 38m ago

Question Green Iced Tea EoT

• Upvotes

I'm playing Echoes of Teradea and I need a 2 star green iced tea. I can get a 1 star by making a normal green iced tea and then by adding a 2 star desert rose. But when I try adding a 3 star desert rose, it doesn't increase the quality.

Anyone have any tips? Do I just need better tea leaves?


r/harvestmoon • • 9h ago

Question DLC for Echoes of Teradea?

2 Upvotes

I’m using the guides on Neoseeker for where to find stuff, and it mentions numerous DLCs such as one called Nerus’ Dilemma having certain things locked behind it and I’m so confused? Like steam only has the Mooberry cow as DLC so far and I’m wondering if I’m missing something? Like Neoseeker says that the Harvest Goddess tools are locked behind DLC, which if it’s true, sucks.


r/harvestmoon • • 3h ago

Question Nautical Chart for Elena? EOT

1 Upvotes

I found a nautical Chart but instead of giving it to Shima, it says to give it to Elena... But she doesn't react when I talk to her.

Anyone know what to do?


r/harvestmoon • • 9h ago

Question I Have a Question about Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea

1 Upvotes

Is Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea,kind of a Standalone Harvest Moon Game,aka: you can Play it before playing both Harvest Moon: One World and Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos or do you need to Play both Harvest Moon: One World and Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos before playing Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

Fanart Celia wip

Post image
16 Upvotes

I always loved her as a character she was always so sweet to me 🥹 lol I remember as a kid playing wonderful life and NOT choosing a bachelorette and the games just like HERE HER! and I just went with it 🤣 but she is so cute I came to love her lots. 🥰


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

It's about time, Amazon.

Post image
55 Upvotes

FINALLY got my copy in today. Hope those of you in the same boat as me got yours!!


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

Harvest Moon EoT Crash

5 Upvotes

Well… after putting in a good 48 hours of play time on this one 💀, my watering can mysteriously disappears from inventory mid use. Then (same in-game day) when I try to advance to the next day, the game completely freezes and won’t load the new day. After restarting and reloading it a few times, trying camping vs. using normal home bed, and making sure the software is update (it is!) with no fix…I guess Natsume decided I am done playing!


r/harvestmoon • • 19h ago

Opinion/Discussion Help with Fishing for Power Stone (Breezy) EOT

1 Upvotes

So i am not sure if this is a glitch, which knowing this game it very well could be, but I am fishing at the spot right next to the floating gold letters that say there is a power coming from the fishing spot....but the fish have ZERO interest in my bait and none are hooking! Is there a specific bait I missed or is this just a glitch.


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

HARVET MOON;EOT MOUNTS

6 Upvotes

did you know that when you ride a mount, you don't have to get off it to pick something up?? just use the A button as you ride pass it, and you'll pick it up!


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

Fanart The lovely Popuri upon thee 💖

Thumbnail
gallery
22 Upvotes

r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

EOT harvest forest chapter two

1 Upvotes

Hey all, is there a specific event or task that needs to be done to trigger chapter two of the harvest forest? I’ve completed chapter two for all other regions, but it wont trigger. My bottle is full and Im waiting but 🤷‍♀️ thank you!


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

How do I get here??? (EoT)

Post image
4 Upvotes

I have gone all over this area a dozen times and I can't figure out how to get down to the beaches and islands here. Anyone know?


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

Peperoncino Pasta from Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town! As the most recent non-remake entry, this game did add in some new and interesting recipes from around the world. I’m excited to see what the next brings!

Post image
11 Upvotes

r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

Question Super Red Arowana

1 Upvotes

Hello!

I've been really enjoying the game so far, but I cannot for the life of me find where to fish up the super red arowana for Priya's fishing requests. I've used the neoseeker guide, but where it says the fish is doesn't exist in my game as a spot?

Has anyone found this one? Thanks in advance!

edit: for echoes of teradea, sorry!


r/harvestmoon • • 2d ago

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns L/I stuff

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

i'm dating ur brother, Laney
sadly i kinda flops on his choice of outfit for dating lol, in my opinion
i think it'll looks cuter if the jacket has pastel color

(i know modding exists but i had no idea how to make one for myself 😭😭😭)


r/harvestmoon • • 1d ago

[SPOILERS] Help, I'm Lost Again

Post image
0 Upvotes

i got up here at one point to trigger this power statue near the harvest glade falls, cannot for the life of me figure out how. also would love to examine those two dungeon to the west.


r/harvestmoon • • 2d ago

Harvest Moon Back to Nature mod: back to nature+

Thumbnail
gallery
211 Upvotes

So I've tried my hand at modding the decompilation and so far so good. I've added many of the features I wish this game had and some extras to make it fresh.

QOL features are faster boots, a bridge to the island mine, bulk buying from the shop, fences that don't rot, reinforced hothouse, enlarged hothouse and an expanded field because that empty space in the corner needed something. Bulk shipping as well, once unlocked can bulk ship from the horse too. Automatic feeders for the barn and coop. Early cabinet, those boxes finally have a use. Quieter hens outside because it's just too much in the original. Up to 4 animals get the gold badge now if one of them wins a festival but they have to have nearly full hearts to apply. Animals can also stay outside in bad weather without losing any hearts, this applies to all of them. You do have to eat a miracle berry from Won.

The extra features are coloured overalls, you can match the sprites, they come in yarn balls for easy transportation. Coloured hens (White, Brown, Lavender, Grey) based on the chicken festival hens. Chicks grow up into a colour as well, randomly chosen from the hens you own. Adamantite tools that have more power at every charge. Fully charged tools reach much further, sickle 7x7, hoe 3x6, watering can 36 squares and hammer 3x3. The axe adds 18 wood per chopped stump and uses less stamina.

It’s a patch for your own clean USA disc. Old saves keep working. I might add more features, if you're interested, follow the GitHub page.

These simple features take time to add without breaking the original game, with lots of testing to make them look right and bug free. All the new assets were made from the game's own art. I'm not a programmer, so I used Claude for the coding. I did the designing, the ideas and the testing. Adding these features took about 60 hours for a newbie like me. It's been a lot of fun and addictive.

Download, full feature list and install steps: https://github.com/Fragrant-radish/HM-back-to-nature-plus

Big thanks to coalslav for the Back to Nature decompilation. None of this would be possible without it.

Update v1.1
Stacking rucksack 9 or 99 of a kind per slot. I've made this a one time choice per save and it's accessed from the options window located at the bookshelf in your house, If you don't choose an option its just the orginal but if you don't like that feature choose classic and it will disappear as well. Your hands always hold one item. R2 with empty hands takes one from the first stack in the bag, if you put it back, it merges again and that stack moves to the end of the bag. This works with bulk shipping as well. Pressing select on a bag slot in the menu asks if you want to throw the whole stack away

Faster text is located in the same options window, The text speed is 6 times faster than the original while you hold X.

The farm score finally reaches 100% like it was meant to as well. I've tested the stacking relentlessly and it works without breaking the game, if you find a bug let me know.

There’s also a stand alone patch with just the 100% fix for the untouched game. Patches, readmes and install steps: https://github.com/Fragrant-radish/HM-back-to-nature-plus/releases/tag/v1.1


r/harvestmoon • • 2d ago

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns what is this???

Post image
41 Upvotes

bruhh what the hell is this ball??
why the game told me to find em all??


r/harvestmoon • • 3d ago

Fanart My harvest moon art

Thumbnail
gallery
1.1k Upvotes

Just joined this subreddit and wanted to share some of my art. Been playing harvest moon since I was 7, when my uncle introduced me to the series . He gave me A wonderful life and that’s it the rest is history. And it’s still my favorite harvest moon game to this day :)