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: A Wonderful Life (January 2023)
• North America: Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (September 2023) and Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life (June 2023)
• Europe: Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (October 2023) and Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life (June 2023)

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! I hope everyone experiencing the latest frosty weather from Winter Storm Elliot are safe and doing well. We had sleet yesterday evening, turning into snow later that night. At least the snow makes it easier to walk across the layer of ice underneath. Some folks have been walking up and down the street, and the neighborhood kids are out playing (it's winter break, so no school!), but the only cars driving by either have tire chains or are all-weather vehicles. Glad it's expected to start dissolving on Saturday!

I also finally got back to playing and beating the end boss in Rune Factory 5. Turns out I last saved my game right at the end of the SEED Floating Fortress, so it didn't take much more effort or time to go through to the end. Even in Hard mode, the bosses were no match for my trio of fairy monster party members. It only took a few moments for the bosses to be dispatched. I did get a few sword swings in before they started their "ooh noo I've been defeated" animation or speech, but generally, the winged team took care of it for me.

Overall, I found RF5 fun, but... short? Spending a lot of time collecting materials for weapons and armor and inadvertently over-leveling my character took away the challenge of the game's main story experience. Hoping the hell-mode difficulty level that is added to the Rune Factory remakes make it into the new entries, too.

The interns and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

XSeed AWL Preorders

The XSeed Games store updated with shopping links to preorder Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life in North America for Switch, XBox, and Playstation 5. The standard ($49.99) and awesome-goat premium editions ($59.99) are available.

• Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life Preorders at XSeedGames.com

Preorders are also available on Amazon for the standard edition (Switch, Ps5, and Xbox) and the premium edition (Switch, Ps5, and Xbox). Amazon has the placeholder release date as June 20, 2023. Officially, the release date has NOT formally been confirmed by Marvelous USA yet. It could be earlier or later than that date.

BokuMono Collab at Yeti Resort

The Yeti Resort, located near Susono City in the Shizouka prefecture in Japan, will collaborate with Marvelous on Bokumono-themed activities for everyone to enjoy. Starting on December 28, visitors to Yeti Snowpark can participate in several farming-themed events:

There will be ski lessons for kids (between 3 and 5 years old) three times a day. The 1500円 fee includes a 45-minute lesson with rented boots and ski/boards, and participants will receive a Snowpark Yeti poster printed with Bokumono animals. (Jan 14 to Mar 19 only)

A 500円 entry-fee stamp rally will take participants to four locations in the park's town area to collect stamps on a special stamp card. Once completed, take the stamp card to shops to receive a special prize.

A free treasure hunt will take place daily, weather permitting, for up to 50 participants, with the prize being some sort of unspecified Bokumon-themed confectionary (Jan 14 to Mar 19 only)

The Yeti Restaurant will also serve food decorated with Bokumon-themed animal cards. Those who order any of the below food options can also receive an animal-printed drink coaster.

• Ushi-san Milk Potash for 650円
• A spicy Veggie Green Curry for 1400円
• Chicken-san Egg Pudding for 550円
• A warm Cafe Ole for 650円

If you're in the area and want to visit, you can learn more on the resort's website:

• Bokujou Monogatari at Snowpark Yeti

Holiday Weekend Sales

Over on the Playstation Network, a few of our favorite farming games are on sale. The SoS game deals expire on January 18, and all others expire on January 6.

• Farm Together = 40% off ($11.99)
• Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life SE = 60% off ($5.99)
• Harvest Moon: Light of Hope SE = 75% off ($9.99)
• Harvest Moon: Light of Hope SE + DLC = 75% off ($12.49)
• Harvest Moon: Mad Dash = 60% off ($7.99)
• Harvest Moon: One World = 50% off ($24.99)
• Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland = 60% off ($5.99)
• Hokko Life = 33% off ($13.39)
• My Time at Portia = 75% off ($7.49)
• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town = 50% off ($19.99)
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town = 40% off ($23.99)
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Expansion Pass = 40% off ($8.99)
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town + Expansion Pass = 40% off ($32.99)

The Doraemon:SoS games are not included in this sale. MTaP, HM: LoH SE, and HM: OW are free downloads for PSN members.

There are additional discounts on the Steam PC gaming platform during their Winter Sale. These deals expire on January 5.

• Coral Island = 10% off ($22.49)
• Dinkum Early Access = 20% off ($15.99)
• Farming Simulator 22 = 10% off ($35.99)
• Harvest Days: My Dream Farm = 40% off ($8.99)
• Harvest Moon: One World = 50% off ($24.99)
• Harvest Moon: One World + DLC = 55% off ($32.35)
• Harvestella = 20% off ($47.99)
• Hokko Life = 33% off ($13.39)
• Immortal Life Early Access = 15% off ($14.44)
• Kitaria Fables = 50% off ($9.99)
• Kynseed = 20% off ($19.99)
• Little Dragons Cafe = 70% off ($17.99)
• Monster Harvest = 70% off ($5.09)
• My Time at Portia = 75% off ($7.49)
• My Time at Sandrock Early Access = 20% off ($19.99)
• No Place Like Home = 50% off ($9.99)
• Peaceful Days Early Access = 30% off ($6.99)
• Rune Factory 4 Special = 35% off ($19.49)
• Rune Factory 5 = 40% off ($29.99)
• Sakura: of Rice and Ruin = 35% off ($19.49)
• Slow Living With Princess Early Access = 25% off ($8.99)
• Stardew Valley = 40% off ($8.99)
• Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town = 50% off ($19.99)
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town = 40% off ($23.99)
• Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town + Expansion Pass = 40% off ($32.99)
• Summer in Mara = 65% off ($6.99)

The Doraemon:SoS games aren't discounted on Steam, either.

Until next time!

Cher
(May your Christmas stockings be full of turnips, mithril tools, eggs, and tasty cooked meals!)

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