The Ushi No Tane websites specialize in information, FAQs, and guides about the Nintendo console versions of the Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, and Legend of the River King video games. These game genres are created and published in Japan by Marvelous (JP). In other regions, you'll find Natsume, XSeed Games/Marvelous (USA), Marvelous (EU), and Rising Star involved in the series' release.

The latest version of the mainstream farming series that have been released in various regions of the world are:

• Japan: Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 2025)
• North America: Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition (October 2025) and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 2025)
• Europe: Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition (October 2025) and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 2025)

The latest version of River King, in all regions of the world, is River King: Mystic Valley (JP 2007, NA 2008, EU 2009).

Since 2000, Ushi no Tane has been run by a grouchy old lady who happens to be fond of video game agriculture along with two feline helpers: Intern Captain Bootu and Intern Hondo Mewnaka. The website is not officially affiliated, sponsored, endorsed, or employed by the developers of Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, or River King. This is simply a fan site.

Latest Farming Video Game News

Happy Farm'n Friday! Still patiently waiting for the melon seeds to do something. Current progress is: Sakana = 2 sprouts (and 2 replants); seedless watermelon = 1 out of 9, with another beginning to sprout (may be 2 out of 9 soon); and pollinator watermelon = 1 out of 3. So after two weeks, I'm not super impressed with the watermelons' germination rate.

On the plus side, the leftover seed potatoes planted in the raised bed underneath Big Doug have started emerging. At least I can successfully grow potatoes!

Wholesome Direct 2026

Now that we're in replacement-E3 weekend mode, tomorrow will be the Wholesome Games Direct digital showcase stream, presenting upcoming cozy games (such as our favorite farming genre). This year's event will take place tomorrow, June 6, at 9:00 am Pacific Time (-8 GMT). Will we see new farm'n games? During last year's direct we saw trailer information for Collector's Cove and Luma Island, along with a new trailer for Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar.

You can watch this year's stream directly through YouTube:

• Wholesome Direct 2026 | YouTube

New Kickstarter - Tideborne Haven

A new pixel-style life sim and farming game is currently seeking crowdfunding support on Kickstarter. Tideborne Haven is a game in which you're tasked with revitalizing a decaying tropical island. Players will restore the local ecosystem by cleaning up the beaches, rehabilitating wildlife, growing coral (crops), and rebuilding the local town.

The farming aspect primarily involves growing coral to restore the island's coral reef. Though technically not a plant, coral plays an important role in the surrounding ocean ecosystem. Players can selectively grow and breed coral to improve its resilience to environmental hazards, with the goal of reintroducing the little polyps back into the ecosystem. Players will also rescue injured animals, rehabilitate them for release into the wild, and breed fish to release into ocean areas to expand biodiversity. Lots of animal-related tasks in this game! While helping the native animals will restore the ecosystem, there are also invasive species to deal with.

The locals who live on the island dream of seeing it restored... or do they? Some villagers harbor secrets and hidden motives. Is there a wildlife smuggler among them? That's an interesting mystery you'll have to decipher. Building relationships and attending festivals with the residents will unlock storylines, quests, new areas, and secrets. If you're feeling desperate for money, you can switch sides and work with the shady smuggler, pirates, and businessmen on dangerous tasks that may negatively impact the island's wildlife and your relationships with the local residents.

There is even an opportunity to find a special someone to marry who shares your environmentally friendly goals.

Besides the primary goal of repairing the beaches, homes, and ocean, there are also ancient ruins to explore, both on land and under the sea, puzzles to solve, pets to care for and dress up, and a home base to decorate.

The campaign launched a few days ago and has reached about 50% of its funding goal. Stretch goals will help cover development costs for additional features. You can support the game and even wishlist it on Steam today:

• Tideborne Haven: A Cozy Farming Sim About Saving the Ocean | Kickstarter
• Tideborne Haven | Steam Store

Indie Updates

Today, game studio Perfect Garbage and publisher Bloomhouse Games announced a shift in the release window for the upcoming murder-mystery farming game Grave Seasons. Previously scheduled for release on August 14, the game is now planned for a release sometime this autumn, with a specific date to be revealed later. There also will not be a demo available during the upcoming Steam Next Fest, June 15 to 22, so the developer can concentrate on polishing the game for a simultaneous all-platform release (Steam/PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Switch).

• Grave Seasons | Steam Store

Until next time

-Cher
(Maybe I should try growing corn instead…)

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