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Harvest Moon has been a very successful series since the debute of the classic SNES version in 1997. Natsume made it hold it's one of a kind RPG with this title. Harvest Moon FoMT has a ton more new features than the other GB or GBC games, and combines the classic features of the other console playing games. All packed into a tiny cartridge for your GBA.

Graphics: 5/5 - The graphics in this game are amazing. They have Gamecube quality detail all packed onto a tiny screen. The partial bird's eye view of your character is at the perfect angle, so all of the animals, townspeople, and crops are visible. Unlike Harvest Moon BTN (Back to Nature) nothing in this game looks like a cardboard cut out. These graphics push the GBA to its max!

Story: 4/5 The story is also pretty good. As a kid, you visitted an old man's farm over summer vacation and loved it. The two of you have kept in touch with letters, until the old man passed away. The main character (let's call him Jack), visits the farm. The mayor of the town invites Jack to fix up the farm, and you recall all of the memories and fun times you had. At least in this game they have a decent length cutscene explaining every bit of the storyline.

Controls: 5/5 Plus, the controls in this game are great! Every button has a specific use, and there are some "fast combos" to access menus quicker than scavenging around to find them. The controls are nice and simple, and can be changed under the 'Diary' menu to adjust to your preference. Just another great aspect of Harvest Moon FoMT.

Gameplay: 5/5 This is where every Harvest Moon game always has a good review. The game play is outstanding with over 100 interactions and activities.

Getting upgrades in the game is a well known aspect... but this time the upgrades have changed! Not only can you upgrade your house two times, but there is a shopping channel too! Every Saturday, a new item is put on sale for a certain amount of money. You phone in to purchase the item from the inn, and eventually it will arrive within 2-3 days! Some items include a mirrior, a clock, a cabinet, a refridgeorator a kitchen, eight utensils (on different weeks), a big bed, and a power berry. In order to get married, you have to have EVERY SINGLE ONE of those items (exlcuding power berry). Finally, the unique aspect of this game is that you can own up to FOUR HOUSES!

Crops now hit the spotlight. Each season ,except winter, there are at least three different crops to grow that produce a different income. Some crops may sell for low and be able to get reharvested, and others sell for high but can only be harvested once. It all depends on what crops you choose to plant in a season. And if you need some help, refer to the Harvest Sprites. By giving them gifts, they can play games with you to improve on taking care of animals, watering crops, and harvesting livestock. Then, the sprites can help out with your farm for up to a week.

If you have played a different Harvest Moon game, you know about raising livestock. In this game, it holds the same aspect. There are three money making animals that you can buy. There are cows, sheep, and chickens. These all produce items that you ship to make a standard income. Plus, once you upgrade the barn and chicken coop, the 'makers' are avalible. These little barrels take either eggs, milk, or wool into them, and give you mayo, cheese, or yarn (Which are shippable for higher prices)

Next comes marriage. There are five girls you can marry... so make a choice. In order to marry a girl, you have to have all of the upgrades and furniture in your house. Plus, her heart has to be at the red level. Finally, there are four cutscenes (also called heart events) that you will go through as the girls heart level increases that you have to see. But beware! For each girl, there is a guy trying to get her. These are your rivals for marriage, so you better get that red heart up before the two of them get married. I've covered most of the main aspects of gameplay, leaving out the obscure stuff and spoilers. Now on to audio.

Sound - 4/5. This is probably the low point of the game... but still good! Natsume could've added more tunes for the different areas. Instead, there is only a seasonal tune on your farm, a tune to the mountain, and a tune to the town. Now, the sound would have gotten a 2... but linking up with the gamecube HM comes in. By linking up, the travelling merchant 'Van' comes into town at Doug's inn. From him you can buy a record player and up to 12 tunes to play to change that boring old farm tune. But the tunes in other areas still remains the same.

Overall: 4.75. Overall this game is great! Every aspect is detailed and understandable. But still puts up a challenge! I highly recommend buying this... there is just too much to do within that small period of renting the game. And besides, the game is significantly cheaper than other GBA games (saw it on other sights for under $19.95). Trust me, you'll get your money's worth from 40 hours+ of gameplay. So what are you waiting for... get out there and start planting!

Harvest Moon has been HUGELY addictive on the SNES and N64. The GBA version is just as addictive - and can be played anywhere!

The familiar, fun gameplay is here. You're a kid taking over a farm. The farm is in disrepair and needs help. You start out by weeding the garden, chopping the logs into boards and breaking up rocks. You slowly start growing crops, raising horses and chickens, and making a name for yourself.

You might think this would get boring, but time is running all the time. You have to get food to your animals, play with them, keep your crops watered, get your field cleared, mine for supplies, go into town and chat it up with the local girls.

There are the usual goodies - horse races, other festivals that come on certain days of the year. There are upgrades to your tools and little sprites that help you out with your tasks. You can fall in love with the girl of your dreams and build a life together. With lots of customizable names, from your farm to your dog to your horse, it really begins to feel like your own little world.

The graphics are great, and while it's not a button-mashing extreme, the clock is always ticking so you get a sense that you have to get going with your life in order to feed yourself and your animals. There aren't goals to meet or points to score - there is a farm to tend to and responsibilities to manage. It's a great game for all ages and VERY rewarding.

My one complaint about this game - and keep in mind that this is a HUGELY addictive game for me so I love it - is that it only lets you be a male. Why?? I would LOVE to be a girl on the farm who is dating boys. It can't be THAT hard to switch a few names and pixels. Why am I forced to be a boy? Why can't a girl run a farm?

That being said, it's a ton of fun and well suited for the GBA. Grab a copy - but be warned, you'll be playing it a lot!

this is a great game must get it. there are so many seacrets and events and everything...