HARVESTELLA (demo) Review

Title: HARVESTELLA
Developer: Square Enix, Live Wire
Genre: RPG, Action/Adventure
Released: 2022
Rating: 7/10

In HARVESTELLA, create your character and begin your journey as you explore cities, fight enemies in dungeons, develop your land, and discover the truth behind the calamity that is wreaking havoc on the world. Level up your character, make new friends, and craft crucial items that will help you along the way. If you’ve been looking for a game that combines elements of Legend of Zelda and Stardew Valley, HARVESTELLA may scratch that itch. 

Pros:
Beautiful, intriguing world
While the graphics don’t match Legend of Zelda, the game still has stunning scenery. From the quaint, adorable towns to the magnificent dungeons, you’ll pause to observe the surrounding area. But don’t waste too much time gawking… because midnight is approaching! 

Convenient traveling 
Soon after starting the game, you learn the ability to travel through portals. Similar to Legend of Zelda, you have to discover the portal, activate it, and then it becomes available to travel to. If you’re in the middle of a dungeon but have to go back home to sleep, the portals help get you back to where you were the previous day without wasting too much time.

Ability variety 
Similar to DnD or World of Warcraft, you get to learn different classes. At the start of the game, you only get one class or job. You are a fighter. But a new class comes quickly once you start the first dungeon. Not only do you get to learn different classes, you get to level them up with new skills and attacks. Once you have a couple of classes, you can swap between them depending on the enemy you’re facing. 

Cons:
Days pass quickly…
…and that wouldn’t be a big problem except for the fact that your character passes out at midnight, wakes up at home, and pays a doctor’s fee. You can’t simply explore the land because you are forced to come home to go to sleep. I understand that the character has to sleep but I wish there was a “camping” feature where you could sleep where you’re at versus having to start over at home. 

Abrupt storyline 
The game’s main storyline begins almost immediately. You’ve barely had time to explore the city and surrounding area before you’re off saving a friend from a horrendous danger. I wish we had a bit more time at the beginning to get a feel for the game, learn the moves, and see what was available. 

Overall…
HARVESTELLA is not perfect… but it’s interesting and fun. This is the exact game I’ve been looking to play as we wait for the next Legend of Zelda release.