Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness (ds: 2008): Reviews

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Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness


6.0

based on 9 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 14 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Cheat Code Central

Official Website

You're shipwrecked on a deserted island. Starting with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it's up to you to tame the land and make the island prosper. By farming crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, you'll help the island grow into a vibrant town bustling with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Are you a good enough farmer to turn this island into a paradise? Play as a boy or as a girl. Attract settlers by building your farm. Fall in love and start a family. Explore the biggest portable Harvest Moon ever. Compete against other ranchers via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. [Natsume]

PUBLISHER:	Natsume
DEVELOPER:	Marvelous
GENRE(S):	Strategy, Simulation
PLAYERS:	2
ESRB RATING:	E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE:	August 26, 2008

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

NGamer UK

This is a labour of love rather than carefree gaming enjoyment, but it's one of the best "Moons" in a while. A very happy tenth birthday for the series. [Dec 2008, p.69]

1UP

The paper-thin storyline (you're shipwrecked on a remote island and decide to put down roots there) may be an inconsequential excuse for you to repeat the same core game of the past 11 years, but some small lessons learned along the way manage to shine through.

Nintendo Power

The near-exclusive use of the touch screen to control every aspect of farm life is a questionable decision--it doesn't feel very accurate or intutitive. [Aug 2008, p.87]

Game Informer

Unfortunately, bad mechanics and ho-hum gameplay progression bring things down.

Cheat Code Central

Overall, I was pretty happy with all the improvements that Island of Happiness made to the traditional Harvest Moon formula. However, I had serious issues controlling the game, and it was always a battle to get my character to do what I wanted.

IGN

They just don't make them like they used to.

GameZone

Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness is not an unplayable game by any means but the horrible controls simply keep it from being a fun game.

GameSpot

Island of Happiness offers plenty of satisfying farming gameplay, but the controls will leave you decidedly unhappy.

Pocket Gamer UK

A considerable improvement on the first DS iteration, but still not the definitive Harvest Moon.

The average user rating for this game is 6.0 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Bud B. gave it an8:
It's not bad... it's just not unique enough from the other games. The stylus controls take some getting used too.

Jean O. gave it a0:
Using the stylus feels awkward and difficult, especially when farming. In any other game that isn't time sensitive, it may be ok but in this game, you can't afford to spend hours just watering because the control isn't accurate. I have all previous Harvest Moons for all systems including the last one for the DS. This one isn't worth the money. No option for using the pad instead of the stylus? No way!!

James M. gave it a0:
TERRIBLE controls, I can't get around how bad they are. NO D-PAD CONTROLS AT ALL. It'd be nice if the d-pad could be set to control the character, but it can't. You can't even change ANY of the options. I love harvest moon, I played for twenty minutes before I couldn't stand it anymore. Wait until the next game, this one blows.

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