Harvest Moon 2

My kids enjoyed the Nintendo 64 Harvest Moon game so much that they used the last of their holiday savings to buy the Game Boy Color Harvest Moon 2. They have been even more enthralled by this small screen sequel, perhaps because there are so many differences between it and the first version of the game. You still start with a run-down farm, but this time have three years to revive it, or else it will be turned into a theme park.

There is no courting in this sequel; it's much more politically correct. You can play in either gender and there are differences between them. So far my sons have not discovered what advantages a male player has, but they tell me that a female player has more stamina and can work for longer - sounds accurate to me :-). In addition to gender selection, you also get to have a pet this time. It can be either a cat or a dog. Dogs help by stopping strays and other wild creatures from harrassing farm animals. Cats bring home seeds, which you can plant.

Otherwise the game has the same seasonal sowing, watering and harvesting (though apparently you can plant things like broccoli in winter now). You can still buy cows, chickens and sheep and raise them, though sheep require an investment in an expensive sheep pen, which is new. There is a nearby town with tools, seeds and livestock to buy and people to meet. There are lots of new festivals, though my sons didn't find them terribly exciting.

There are a few special games like mole bashing, which can be accessed by hoeing the ground and finding enough moles. You can catch bugs as well as fish and look up insects, fish and flowers in the local library reference material. Apparently you can also use a Game Link cable to trade between Harvest Moon 2 and Legend of the River King 2 (if you have the latter game which we don't). If your farmer gets exhausted you can revive him/her in the local hot springs (very Japanese!).

My kids loved the N64 Harvest Moon but prefer this version, despite the small screen. When pressed they say that it's just 'more fun' and they enjoy its variety. I think it's because it's an immersing simulation and the pets and farm plants and animals share some characteristics that made the Tamagotchi so popular. Whatever the reason, this is a wonderful game, suitable for kids from about 6 up (mine are 10 and 12), with long-term appeal and no violence. What parent could ask for more?