SoM Dev Diary #5 and SoS for EU | Posted at 04:21 PM 24 December 2015Last week, Producer Taka from Natsume released the latest Developer Diary for Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories. In this latest edition, Taka decided to show the game rather than simply talk about his plans for it. You can find the gameplay video on the Natsume Facebook page. Some of the things I've noticed from watching the video:

• The music notes on the villagers' dialog box fill in as your friendship increases. Sam and Andrea have friendship indicators that are only half-way filled in, so I guess we're using half notes and full notes in this latest version. It doesn't look there is any character artwork that appear above the dialog boxes like we're accustomed to in a Harvest Moon game.

• The video's season is Spring, yet farmer Mike is seen watering Summer and Winter season crops (Onions and Spinach). So it looks like you can grow crops in any season like in Lost Valley. Iris was also shown selling seeds that grow in other seasons. No word yet if that also means that crop mutations are included, but Great quality crops are available (there was a Great Pink Dahlia in the farmer's rucksack).

• Farmer Mike's action menu changes from a talking mode (when he picked up the Dog) to a tool menu when he started working in the field. The farmer destroyed a boulder and then moved to watering crops without rummaging through a rucksack to manually select the necessary tool. Watering looks to be a simple drag of your finger over the crop squares.

• One of the eggs the farmer picked was a Great Egg, so animal product quality is back as well.

• The farmer's rucksack included Crystal Ore and Crystal, so Brutus and his ore refining skills are utilized.

• If your bag gets full, the item will be transported to your farm storage.

In general, the iOS/Android version of Seeds of Memories feels like it will be an upgraded version of Lost Valley mechanics, minus the valley itself and with a new storyline, which may or may not be a good thing depending on how you feel about the earlier game. I think the highlight is the fact that it is an offline farming game that can go with you anywhere you remember to take your smartphone. In the PAL region, Nintendo will be officially be releasing Story of Seasons on December 31st, with an Australian release on January 9th (as I've been told by a friendly Aussie). Some fans in Deutschland have reported being able to buy it as of now, so check out your local stores to see if you can buy it early. The game is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian! Being that the multi-player servers are region locked, those of us who already have the game won't be of much help to the upcoming farmers with regards to item trades, but there is loads of friendly advice on the UNoT Community Forum. Rising Star Games is holding a sale on games in the EU Nintendo eShop. They are promoting "Up to 75% off" on Hometown Story and Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar. Marvelous EU handled the Harvest Moon: A New Beginning release, and Nintendo did Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley, so those two are not included in RSG's sale. Merry Christmas to all! Happy Farming! - Cher Feedback: Add | View (2)

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