Rune Factory 5 Nintendo Switch Review

The combination of the farm simulator and action role-playing game genres is growing more popular, and it's not difficult to understand why. Constructing structures is necessary to cultivate the land and take care of animals; nevertheless, resources are required. A journey to the countryside or some dungeons may serve in obtaining the materials needed for construction. The journey gathers momentum as we engage in a battle or two with wild creatures, and what better opportunity to connect with the villagers and strengthen our bonds with them when we return home? Rune Factory 5 is the first game in the series to make the leap from 2D to full 3D, and it follows the series' standard premise of someone falling from the sky.

 

After making its debut with Rune Factory 4 on the Nintendo 3DS in mid-2012, it's been a long time since the Rune Factory series has gotten a new entry in the series' history. Since then, Marvelous and XSEED have worked hard on a never-before-seen successor to the role-playing simulation game. Rune Factory 5 is an action role-playing game revealed in 2019 and will be launched in Japan in 2021 and then in the United States in 2022. The game has been designed around Nintendo's current flagship's hardware possibilities and oddities, just two years after re-adapting Rune Factory 4 for Switch. But is the wait worthwhile for fans of the series or novices looking for a completely different experience?

Running an edge over the more standard Story of Season, Rune Factory 5 does a decent job of establishing a narrative. Some of you may recognize the beginning of the game, which opens with the protagonist having to wake up in an unknown forest and finding that he has no clue who or where he is. After the beginning trailer that indicates the series has chosen the Persona 5 route, the events instantly put things back in the place when you are interrupted by the cries of a little girl for aid from the hands of three weird monsters in the role of a hero, Ares, or a heroine, Alice. Upon regaining consciousness, this time safely within the walls of Rigbarth, you are immediately welcomed as a citizen and inducted into SEED, a ranger corps dedicated to upholding peace and safeguarding people all over the world from evil people and evil monsters in this not so busy little town.

Rune Factory 5 is a simulation game in terms of structure, with some RPG elements thrown in for good measure. This phrase alludes to the game's gameplay characteristics, identical to its predecessor, Story of Seasons. Cultivating several types of crops, taking care of the monsters on your farm, socializing with the villagers, giving them gifts to increase friendship level, cooking or experimenting with new recipes, making and upgrading weapons and armor, purchasing furniture and upgrades for the village, exploring the surrounding area for resources are among the tasks you do in the game. There is no specific sequence or goal to achieve other than a series of events to progress your daily activities in the game. Rune Factory 5, like all other instances of the genre, hopes that either of these activities will make you play the game as part of your daily routine.­­

 

A day in the life of Rigbarth is primarily made up of an infinite cycle of days divided into four seasons where you wake up at 6 to collect the crops and transport them to the trunk for sale. You collect them again at 8 a.m, and at 9 a.m., you revisit the stores. And at 10 a.m., a new day starts in Rigbarth. When it comes to farming, initially, you'll have to break stones, remove barriers, plant seeds and water them every day in a small garden in the courtyard of the SEED base, but we'll be able to expand our territory in the future. Doing this frequently won't bother you since they are not vital. These are more of a secondary and complementary task than anything "necessary" to make you feel that there is an advancement over time in your games.

In terms of RPGs, there are many open-air areas and infinite dungeons to explore. There is a strong emphasis on exploration, but the visuals don't go beyond what you'd expect from a JRPG of this genre. Battles with monsters don't offer many alternatives and could have been done better; this is one of the game's highlights for those familiar with the Rune Factory series. There is an initial feeling of frustration because of the game's restrictions, but this improves as you progress.

Combat isn't the most appealing feature in Rune Factory 5 in the context of an action RPG. Some gates spawn enemies, and defeating them halts the influx. Other than the standard sword, you can buy magic or earn spells, but they aren't viable because of the time it takes to cast them. Traditional weapons are more effective and fastest. Either weapons or magic, combat, and players' ability to construct weapons and armor and create medicine are identical to the previous game. The only item worth noting is that players can now hunt unique Wanted Monsters and win Crests, SEED-issued special pieces of equipment. Each Crest has a unique power, compelling locals to join your party, collecting more SEED points, etc. You can now ride monsters! But that's all there is to the new additions.

 

The game's construction approach is the most noticeable difference between Rune Factory 5 and its predecessors. It's important to note that it is significantly more geographically diverse than anything we've seen in previous main series entries because the game switched from top-down to a third-person perspective. A great deal of this is since the whole planet is open. While dungeons are only available after completing the storyline, the game's overworld is readily accessible from the beginning. It's rather thrilling the amount of freedom the game offers its players compared to most games in this genre.

The wide range of NPCs and their distinct personalities will immediately impress you, although individuals of many ages and backgrounds inhabit Rigbarth. Throughout the day, players are encouraged to interact with the town's people by talking to them, doing their tasks, and giving them gifts. Players may wed suitable bachelors or bachelorettes with which they've developed a strong enough relationship. Villages include festivals and special events and NPCs with whom we may talk and acquire items, but you must build connections with them to progress in the game.

Every day, you may develop your relationship with any character by chatting to them or handing them presents. You'll get the benefits of having them join your group and go on adventures together. You might also need to confess your love for someone and propose to them if your connection is at an advanced stage. For the first time, relationships or marriages between persons of the same sex have been included.

 

Sadly, even while the surroundings in this game are bright and vibrant, they may also seem empty and monotonous at times, which is a shame. Aside from that, the transition to 3D visuals hasn't been beneficial to the series; in fact, the visual aspect of Rune Factory 4 was more substantial and attractive. You'll see scratchy surfaces without a smooth finish and distorted textures throughout the game and often experience frame drops when moving around. The game's music is engaging and effective in the context of the gameplay.

If you're a follower of the series, Rune Factory 5 is a solid choice. In terms of gameplay, it's an excellent choice for individuals who want to unwind in peaceful, cheerful, and vivid surroundings and those who like being swept up in a deluge of content. Newcomers will be guided through the game for the first few hours before being allowed to explore the game world at their own pace. Longtime fans of the series will instantly feel at home. To me, the top-down perspective felt more user-friendly and preferable. Sadly, however, despite its potential and the story's intriguing premise, Rune Factory 5 falls short compared to comparable titles. Anyone who'd enjoy a bit more complex farming added with battle mechanics can go for it; otherwise, not.
 

Asura Kagawa (@AsuraKagawa)
Editor, NoobFeed