Enjoy 20 years of classic Japanese casual farming simulation in this neat package. In celebration of Harvest Moon's anniversary comes a title for the Steam platform PC players can enjoy. Light of Hope Special Edition is a game using everything the developers have learned that has made the franchise great.

The previous statement sounds like something gamers would consider to be an instant classic. It promises much of what the fans loved in this well-known series of titles simulating farming activities and other social aspects. Alas, this was not the case. Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Special Edition somehow faded into obscurity and did not reach the heights it aimed for. Because of this, other life and farming sims got ahead, including Stardew Valley and its free alternatives.

Despite all its challenges, there is a solid game beneath the perceived mediocrity. This article will examine what makes it one of the more underrated titles in the series.

Harvest Moon: Light of Hope is a farming simulator with light role-playing mechanics. It has players attempting to manage a run-down farm. They need to clear the fields of debris and trash so the land can be processed for planting crops. New infrastructure and technology can be crafted, so raw materials are changed into higher-quality products. Animals are also available to be bought for gamers to take care of. These precious little creatures provide milk, eggs, and other materials.

Talk to the residents, and improve relations with them so they can help you out with random things or give rewards. It has all the bells and whistles an entry to this genre has with the trappings of classic Harvest Moon shenanigans.

The gameplay is as jam-packed as always. The tools you get from the beginning can be upgraded into their final epic forms that provide massive bonuses once you get the proper upgrade items. Crops have varying stats and requirements; the trickier it is, the more it would sell on the market.

Non-playable characters are more diverse than ever, and some even give out quests with appropriate rewards. Others are also open to being in a relationship with your farmer. The Goddess is back with more bountiful blessings and ludicrous requests. Mining is back, and grinding the minerals needed for improvement requirements are as satisfying as ever. Everything we know and love returns with little tweaks to bring them to modern standards.

So why is the game not as popular as other entries?

Well, despite all of the special features and functions included in the package, the entire game is plagued with a lot of issues that are reasonably a turn-off even for hardcore fans. One of those is the graphics. The visuals are beyond abysmal; it is poorly designed and does not reflect the goal of bringing this entry to modern audiences. The Animation is choppy, character designs look rushed, and the world looks flat and not immersive. The 3D route it took does not have the same charm as the sprites from way back.

The music, writing, and other parts are decent. It can be said it is a little bit above average.

In conclusion, the reason it did not become mainstream seems to stem from the producers fumbling at a video game's "video" part. It has alienated people, and first impressions were bad, leading to people not taking the chance to dive into a fairly decent game. However, if you would like to check out Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, be sure to check out Switch game deals here and you might get a fantastic discount off of it