Marvelous AQL recently announced the latest of their farm simulation series, in Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land, which introduces a new trading system and even more animals. Producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto talks about some of the game’s connectivity feature in this week’s issue of Famitsu magazine.
In the interview, Famitsu asks Hashimoto to share a few more details regarding word “connect” that is in the title.
“Firstly, it has the meaning of ‘connecting with communication functions,’” says Hashimoto. “The upcoming title will be compatible with the Nintendo 3DS StreetPass and Wi-Fi features, which will be used to trade various information with friends, and also to visit their ranches.” (Note that it isn’t confirmed if this means you’ll able to visit your friends’ ranches over the Wi-Fi specifically. We hope that’s what it means.)
“The other meaning is ‘connecting to the game’s world,’” continues Hashimoto. “There will be a ‘Trade Station’ that will allow you to ship your crop to other countries, meaning you’ll be using trades to connect to the other countries.”
With regards to personal data that can be exchanged with friends, Hashimoto says that the game will provide information on each others’ ranches, so you can know how far your friends have advanced and compare it to your own ranch.
Famitsu then asks for a few more details on the new Trade Station feature.
“You’ll get to purchase and sell specialty goods to other countries around the world,” answers Hashimoto. “At the start of the game, you’ll only get to trade with one country; however, the more you ship, the more countries that will be made available.”
“Additionally, when players ship goods they’ll get different reactions depending on the country’s preferences. For example, a certain good might get a pleasant reaction from one country, but it might get a normal reaction from another. There will also be some moments where the goods you’re trading start to trend.”
Famitsu also shares a look at some Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land characters in Elise, Fritz, and Eda. They’ll all be living in the same town, where they’ll be helping you out in various ways in your life as a Harvest Moon rancher.
As mentioned in our previous report, there will be a “Safari” you can visit after advancing through the story. You’ll get to take care of various wildlife creatures here.
Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land boasts twice the variety of animals compared to past titles. The above is a look at an Angora rabbit, owl, and reindeer, which can be found in the upcoming game.
Harvest Moon: Connect to a New Land is slated for release on February 2014 for Nintendo 3DS.
Published: Oct 9, 2013 10:50 pm