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Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands

I'm a 31-year-old woman who mostly plays casual games on PC, but I completely love Sunshine Islands on DS. There is so much to do in this game (fishing, mining, farming, dating, etc). The replay value is high, which is great considering how long the game is. There are a few small annoyances -- you have to "meet and greet" the game characters repeatedly in order to build up friendships and relationships, so expect some repetition -- but it's totally worth playing, and very addictive. -- Addictive, with tons to do!

I am a huge Natsume fan and I buy every HM game I can get my hands on. I enjoyed this game the first time I played, but I groan when I think of making use of my second file - very low replay value. It is, however, a big improvement from Island of Happiness. Island of Happiness was so boring and aggravating, I gave it to someone else just a few weeks of attempted gameplay and, now, that person I gave it to doesn't play it either. Sunshine Islands is alot more fun, less work, and a more creative storyline. There are some annoying flaws though..

Pros:

*You don't have to rebuild the main island from scratch as in Island of Happiness
*Shipping items is made alot easier and quicker
*You're not limited to using only the stylus anymore
*Your field is easier to keep clear of stones and weeds
*Most the bachelors/bachelorettes are on the island from the beginning
*More variety in animal/pet colors and appearance
*The festivals are alot more fun and interactive
*The watering hole is alot closer to your field so you don't have to run across the field to refill your watering can each time
*At your wedding, you actually wear a wedding dress/tuxedo instead of casual clothes
*Upgrading your tools is made more simple so it's easier to keep a whole field of crops

Cons:

*The characters have a very small dialogue and it becomes VERY repetitive - especially after marriage
*Low replay value; gathering all the sun stones again is too much work and I don't want to do it again
*Fishing can get irritating and will frustrate you at times
*It's irritating that you cannot ride the horse around town and I also dislike that it's out in the barn with my cat and dog. I think the cat and dog should be kept in the house and the horse out in the barn with the cows and sheep. Also, the pig you can keep is located on a completely different island! It's annoying to go all the way out to Mushroom Island to feed it everyday
*Befriending the animals to help out with chores is a creative feature, but a hassle.
*Not enough character interaction. I wish there were more festivals to invite someone to and that there were more personal events instead of a few "heart events". For instance, I like how you go on a date and get a love confession like in Harvest Moon: Animal Parade for the Wii. It'd be nice if, in addition to the heart events, there were other more personal events with your intended spouse.
*Mining is just as annoying as it was in Island of Happiness. You pass out easily and the treasure you can find isn't usually worth that much.
*Lacks creativity and fun as experienced with Harvest Moon DS/Harvest Moon DS: Cute

Overall, I recommend you order Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar for the DS! It's coming out very soon and is a huge step up from this game! If you have a PSP, I would recommend Hero of Leaf Valley as well. Sunshine Islands is good, but there's been better HM games and there will be more to come. -- Sunshine Islands VS Island of Happiness - Go for Grand Bazaar

When I first heard that a new Harvest Moon game was coming to the DS, I was determined to buy it. After buying this game, I have not regret for one moment buying it.

This is definetly the most advanced HM game on the market, with specific "water points" and "sun points" for not only crops, but grains and trees too! There are even more animals involved this time too with cat, pig, badgers, sparrows, rabbits, ducks, mice and monkeys to name some of them.

The tool upgrade is a bit of a pain since you need to use "wonderfuls" which are very rare, and can only be won in festivals, and after many (game) years of work, made by yourself.

The romantic prospects are a plenty in this game, both for female and male players.

For those who liked the mining system in previous HM games will love this one with lots of challenging floors (255 floors to be exact) to explore.

A huge tips for players, both experienced and newbies: BUY THE STRATEGY GUIDE. I will pretty much say it is a "must have" to manage to play this game, and have fun with it (sadly, but true)

This game is without doubt a 5 out of 5 in my book, and a must buy for HM lovers and time managment / simulation fans!

Good luck, and happy farming!
Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides (Bradygames))
-- The Harvest Moon series have just been kicked up a notch

IF your a Harvest Moon gamer then I don't need to say any more. LOVE this game series and can'nt get enough of them. Good luck finding this game series new or old. -- Love Harvest Moon games.

Amazing game, can't put it down, easily the deepest and most entertaining Harvest Moon so far. Love the DS, love this game! -- Best Harvest Moon So Far