Ushi No Tane Forum

I've been really into Challenge runs of games lately, especially games that have flexible gameplay, which I think HM definitely fits into! So I was wondering what kind of challenge runs have been done before, or if we could think some up here that could be fun! Off the top of my head to get the brainstorming going, I can imagine some games working with an Animal Only run, where animals and raising livestock are your only source of income. For the games where there's a robust cooking system but little impetus to use it, maybe a Chef Challenge, where you can only sell produce once it's been cooked into a meal.

I'd love to hear your ideas!

Keep in mind that challenge runs aren't just to make a game harder for no reason, they should still try to be fun and make you appreciate the game in new ways. For example, a challenge run where you just walk everywhere instead of run would make the game more challenging, sure, but it wouldn't be very fun and wouldn't give you any newfound appreciation for the game, I think, haha.

I've had some ideas over the years:

-A challenge where you can only grow a certain crop at a time. I'm just thinking about the older games, where you could grow turnips, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, etc. You'd need to sync the growth periods though. For example, once your field of turnips are ripe, you'd harvest them, and then plant (all) potatoes or cabbage or whatever for the season. The list could repeat itself once all crops have been grown. I don't know how that would work for crops with multiple harvests; maybe sickle them after a single harvest or something.

-Animal naming challenge? In my file of ANB, I got creative and named my animals after foods that they're used in. I used standard names for my cows and sheep, using names like Burger, Taco, Beef, Cutlet, Gelato, and Masala. I got slightly more creative with my chickens, naming them Nugget, Tahini, Panini, Buldak, Tender, Karahi, and Tabaka. I always have fun naming my animals with a certain theme.

-A gift giving challenge? In Stardew Valley, you can only give villagers two gifts a week. I think it could be nifty to utilize this mechanic, making it so we take relationships at a slower pace. I sometimes feel like a stalker if my choice of marriage candidate is at a green or yellow heart/flower by the end of Summer.

-Never use shipping box (limited to some installments). I just know that in some games, like MFOMT, A(n)WL, HMDS(C), GrB, and SOS, there are ways to avoid the shipping box. You can either directly sell products to a specific person, or run a shop to exchange your produce for goods. Though Won's friendship needs to be raised in MFOMT, and I can't remember when your shop stall/cart unlocks in SOS.

-Just like a human challenge. In installments where it's possible, try to act... "normal" . Attempt to use a kitchen when unlocked, and cook yourself three meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Maybe even eat at a restaurant if possible. If you can change clothes, then change them each morning. If unlocked, take a bath/shower once every 1-2 days, and use the toilet every 6-10 hours or so.

That's all I got so far. I might randomly think of another one later, who knows.

Um.....a time limit challenge? There’s a guy on YouTube who set a two year limit on himself.


I personally don’t like challenges because they can be stressful.