***Please note*** this review tells a little about how the game is played.

It has been awhile since I have written a review, but thought that this one warranted my return to Epinions - I received an early Christmas gift from my kids - a new Playstation, and a game called "Harvest Moon - Back to Nature".

I am NOT a teenager, or even a young adult - with grown children, and two grandchildren, I sometimes barely have time to get the vacuuming done! *smile*

I will start with a disclaimer of sorts - this is NOT a beat-em-up, shoot the aliens, fight starship warriors, or anything like that, type of game.

What it IS, however, is a game that is almost addictive - there are many different parts of it, and the game keeps growing - getting more challenging and more fun.

It starts out with a "flashback" to your childhood - you visited your grandfather's farm as a child, and enjoyed it - made some friends with other children (especially one girl), played with the animals, etc. Now, it is ten years later, and the farm has been left to you - it is pretty run-down, and needs lots of work -

The townspeople have voted to let you stay 3 years to see if you can make a success of it - - and the game begins.

There is land to clear before you can plant crops, tending the crops once they are planted, and harvesting them....along with caring for the animals you get - everything from buying a chicken and incubating eggs so you can have a "chicken empire", cows and sheep that need milking and shearing (in that order! *smile*)

You have a dog at the beginning, and get a horse. You have to care for your animals every day, meet your neighbors and make friends with them, get a girlfriend (there are five to choose from in the village nearby), - you will be getting married and having a child sometime in the game - go fishing, climb the mountains, mine for rare minerals, and take care of your tools.

That is just the basics of the game - what I especially enjoy, is that the game presents new challenges every day. (The game's 'calendar' is made up of four "months" - each with 30 days - spring, summer, fall, and winter. - Sometimes bad weather comes along, sometimes you must fend off stray dogs, whatever might happen you have to be ready for it.)

The main challenge, I think, is that the time keeps ticking - so you find yourself working pretty hard to get your work done - one good thing tho - the clock stops whenever you are inside someplace - a store, house, barn, or even the mines. (Wouldn't THAT be nice in real life?)

There are lots of "helpful cheats" posted online, at various sites, that help you with some of the added excitements - in fact, I played through the entire game for several weeks before even realizing that there WERE Forest Sprites that would help me tend the crops and animals, "legendary" fish, wonderful power berries, secret potions in bottles, and also listings of what each girl actually likes best! (makes courting them easier!)

As stated earlier, this is not a game of fighting aliens, or space travel. It is not a futuristic drama, but a fun and often funny, yet challenging distraction. I do think it's a little addictive, because I am always wanting to find out what will happen next. The game DOES continue on after the three years (if you make a success of your farm), or you can start fresh again anytime.

In some ways I feel kind of silly evaluating a Playstation game - I mean, I AM an adult, after all.... but am happy to report that as of now, the kids don't get to have ALL the fun. Besides, in my book it ranks way higher than watching soaps during the afternoons! And an added benefit, my grandson and I have something that he just LOVES to play, and we can enjoy it together, cuz I like playing it too!

I recommend this game for anyone - and even if you prefer the aliens or fantasy-type games, give it a try - this is one that belongs on your game shelf - at least check it out - I think you'll enjoy it, and may even spend less time fighting aliens.

If you already have a Playstation, the game costs about $45., but you can find it used on half.com or ebay for less. There are also Harvest Moon games for Nintendo, and maybe Dreamcast - just make sure you get the right version.

(Also, it is a foreign game, made by Natsume, so you must have a "mod chip" added to the Playstation. Cost: about $40.)

NOTE - I have since looked for games of this caliber - fun, challenging, entertaining, non-violent, and ones that would hold the interest for more than a few minutes - there are not too many out there, so I do recommend this one.

Recommended: Yes