Believe it or not, Harvest Moon has been with us for 20 years. 2017 marks its 20th anniversary and as such, Natsume celebrates with a new game for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and on new grounds with the first ever PC release of a Harvest Moon title.
Today Natsume announced Harvest Moon: Light of Hope. It begins with players traveling by boat in search of a new home according to Natsume's press release. Their voyage doesn't go as planned as they're caught in an awful storm and they become shipwrecked.
"As they drift into a small harbor town, now in a shambles from the storm, it will be up to the player to help rebuild the town and save the lighthouse…but it won't be easy! […] Nevertheless, with some hard work growing crops, tending livestock, and gathering materials for repairs, players will be able to make new friends, start a family, revive the lighthouse, and save the town."
Natsume president and CEO Hiro Maekawa said that Light of Hope will break ground in the series with it's "depth," "robust story," and "clear-cut goals" to go along with the Harvest Moon style gameplay we all know and love.
We set out to create a SNES-style nostalgic game with deep and meaningful characters and events," Maekawa added.
Light of Hope isn't the only 20th anniversary celebration for Harvest Moon, however. Harvest Moon: A Wonderfull Life Special Edition and Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland have both been re-released on PS4. The ever-classic Harvest Moon 64 is also available on Wii U.
Additionally, Natsume has a "year-long" celebration planned for Harvest Moon so there may be more to announce soon. Stardew Valley was the ultimate tribute to Harvest Moon, so much so that it raises the question of whether or not current Harvest Moon titles can reach the same pinnacle. We'll have to wait and see. Light of Hope will be playable at Natsume's booth at E3 2017.
