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It takes time for "Tree of Tranquility" to grow.
posted by JMichaud (BETHESDA, MD) Oct 11, 2008
Member since Jan 2008
10 out of 15 gamers (67%) found this review helpful
You are a guy or gal who arrives on a boat in Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility. You've got dreams of being a great farmer, miner and/or fisherman.
But just before your ship arrives, you are knocked out by a storm. While unconscious, you get visions of a beautiful woman standing in front of a tree (as supposed to an ugly woman standing in front of a tree?)
There's something going on that island, and it's up to you to get to the bottom of it.
If you want to put in the time, that is. Tree of Tranquility doesn't push the main plot line very much. It's easy to get into a rut by doing the same thing over and over again.
Things like working on a garden, working part time at stores and mining ore. Players can get locked into the rut for months at a time.
There's festivals and celebrations, but most of them are there just for a change of scenery. Those looking for a thriller or action game look elsewhere. Tree of Tranquility isn't going to give you a rush of adrenaline.
But for those casual gamers looking for a fantasy setting for "The Sims", Tree of Tranquility is right up your alley. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time to play this game.
But just before your ship arrives, you are knocked out by a storm. While unconscious, you get visions of a beautiful woman standing in front of a tree (as supposed to an ugly woman standing in front of a tree?)
There's something going on that island, and it's up to you to get to the bottom of it.
If you want to put in the time, that is. Tree of Tranquility doesn't push the main plot line very much. It's easy to get into a rut by doing the same thing over and over again.
Things like working on a garden, working part time at stores and mining ore. Players can get locked into the rut for months at a time.
There's festivals and celebrations, but most of them are there just for a change of scenery. Those looking for a thriller or action game look elsewhere. Tree of Tranquility isn't going to give you a rush of adrenaline.
But for those casual gamers looking for a fantasy setting for "The Sims", Tree of Tranquility is right up your alley. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time to play this game.
Why take Ambien when you have this?
posted by JCDenton (FREEDOM, NH) Oct 9, 2008
Member since Mar 2006
3 out of 13 gamers (23%) found this review helpful
Truthfully, I've never played the Harvest Moon series before. I think I know why now.
It's not that Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is a bad game, it's just really slow, relatively boring and overly complicated. Basically, it's a good idea, poorly executed.
The concept is definitely original: you play the newest member of a small town community, trying to raise a farm. Along the way, you do some mining, some fishing, break some rocks, chop down trees, raise livestock, grow crops and interact with the townspeople. I have to give the game credit here. There's plenty to do and it's pretty free-form.
The story doesn't make much sense, however. The harvest goddess wants you to build rainbows (yes, I said "build" rainbows). This continues the story and expands the game. You might find building these rainbows to be overly complicated.
Actually, much of the game suffers from over-complication. You want yarn? First, chop trees, smash stones and collect gold to build a barn, then buy a lamb, wait for it to mature, sheer off the wool, put it through a machine and viola! Of course, this will take so very long since each step will require an inordinate amount of time.
Time wouldn't be so bad if the game moved faster. Managing your crop each day can sap half your stamina. And once your stamina is gone, you need to rest. There are ways to increase stamina or keep it from decreasing as fast, but it doesn't work well enough.
But the unforgivable thing is the load times. The graphics and sound design do not warrant load screens this long.
If you have lots of time to raise a successful farm, maybe you should raise an actual farm. I hear you can grow plants, get married and have children in real life too. It might even be faster... and more satisfying.
It's not that Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is a bad game, it's just really slow, relatively boring and overly complicated. Basically, it's a good idea, poorly executed.
The concept is definitely original: you play the newest member of a small town community, trying to raise a farm. Along the way, you do some mining, some fishing, break some rocks, chop down trees, raise livestock, grow crops and interact with the townspeople. I have to give the game credit here. There's plenty to do and it's pretty free-form.
The story doesn't make much sense, however. The harvest goddess wants you to build rainbows (yes, I said "build" rainbows). This continues the story and expands the game. You might find building these rainbows to be overly complicated.
Actually, much of the game suffers from over-complication. You want yarn? First, chop trees, smash stones and collect gold to build a barn, then buy a lamb, wait for it to mature, sheer off the wool, put it through a machine and viola! Of course, this will take so very long since each step will require an inordinate amount of time.
Time wouldn't be so bad if the game moved faster. Managing your crop each day can sap half your stamina. And once your stamina is gone, you need to rest. There are ways to increase stamina or keep it from decreasing as fast, but it doesn't work well enough.
But the unforgivable thing is the load times. The graphics and sound design do not warrant load screens this long.
If you have lots of time to raise a successful farm, maybe you should raise an actual farm. I hear you can grow plants, get married and have children in real life too. It might even be faster... and more satisfying.
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