Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon Hints XXXI (DS)

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon is a role-playing video game that features heavy simulation aspects. It was developed by Neverland and published by Marvelous Interactive and Natsume for Nintendo's hugely successful DS handheld video game console. It was first launched in its native Japan on January 3, 2008, and reached North American shores on November 18, the same year. As of yet, the game hasn't been released in Europe or in other territories.

The title focuses on delivering a fantasy farm-simulation experience and is part of the very successful Harvest Moon video game franchise, which has sold extremely well on the Nintendo DS in all of its iterations. Rune Factory 2 is, of course, the sequel to the first Rune Factory, which has gained critical acclaim for the introduction of the basic Harvest Moon recipe into a fantasy setting and letting players explore the open world of the game.

The title stays true to the Harvest Moon recipe, as in ten seconds, ten in-game minutes will pass, a trademark of the series. The player can go on to grow crops, but wielding the farm tools can decrease their stamina. The classic mechanic of buying animals has now been replaced by the task of defeating monsters in dungeons, similar to a lot of RPGs present on the Nintendo DS.

Gamers can also befriend some of the monsters, and receive, in exchange, help in battle or sellable goods that can produce a bigger profit for them. The fighting mechanics are similar to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or Game Boy Advance version of The Legend of Zelda games. An upgrade system is also present in order for the player to improve his/her farm equipment.

HINTS

Items from wild animals
You can get items from the following animals:

Wolves from Padova can be ridden.
Woolies in Trieste Forest at night can be clipped for fleece.

Work from enemies
You can get work from the following enemies:

Goblin pirates from Blessia can water.
Orcs with maces from Trieste can harvest.

Here's a video of this game: