Games in a series always have something in common. It’s a given. However with Rune Factory line, there will be a tendency for certain themes to vary from game to game. The original started everything. The sequel focuses on the second generation of the “important” generation. The third part introduces a protagonist who can switch between human and monster. Rune Factory 4 gives the idea of the protagonist being an authority figure. Instead of a stronger leap towards the next new topic or idea, people can see Rune Factory 5 feels like a jump to the left. Especially during the first hour or so.
As with all entries, Rune Factory 5 begins with a protagonist who loses his memory. Initially you know who you are and what you are capable of when the game starts. However, when you come to the rescue of Hina, one of Rigbarth’s children, you lose your memory. You are brought to town, checked to make sure you have no ill intentions, and inducted into the Seed. (Not FFVIII group of mercenaries, but also a group of people who claim to be protectors and run errands for people.) You take requests from bulletin boards or people you meet. You manage a bit of farmland behind the headquarters, where you also live. Sometimes you visit different nearby locations and fight monsters. That’s typical fare for the series. But as a Seed member, you feel like a curator in town. People are counting on you the same way they did with the prince/princess in Rune Factory 4.
Maybe because it’s following the same footsteps, getting started is pretty easy. The initial instructions are quite practical. You are provided with a hoe, radish seeds and a watering can, so that you can start farming. This gives income and access to runes to increase your RP. You’ll always have a farming tool and an actively equipped weapon, with left and right buttons on the d-pad allowing you to switch between them. Swapping out the things you’re using (or carrying) can be done with a tap of the L button. But if you want to filter your bag to find everything, you can too. Pressing repeatedly on a button in front of an area where an action can be repeated means you repeat the action. So if there are 8 unfilled plots, you equip the hoe, and you keep mining, you will automatically plow the soil forward. The same goes for planting and watering. Like Rune Factory 4Your farmland is in town, connected to a large establishment and your place of business, and you start with a small, manageable piece of land.
Another initial quest involves meeting many notable residents around town. This also means that you’ll see important shops like blacksmiths and general stores. While running directly to each attraction is an option, you’ll be able to travel quickly in no time. There are certain points on the map that you can teleport to. (The one just outside your home/office is best early in the day.) And those you didn’t see at the run this morning. Good. The game helps make sure you meet a few other townsfolk in its other original billboard quest. Things are clearly labeled.
From there, it enters another game element taken from Rune Factory 4. In the previous game, you could use your Princess/Royal Princess points to issue Commands. This will lead to things like Festivals. Well, at the main office you will talk to “Eliza” to launch the Initiatives. You’ll again earn points for actions, which you can then put on to the town’s festivals. The initial options all cost 1,000 and involve things like cooking, farming, and mini-games.
For the last part of the tutorial, it will start the fight on its own. Yes, within the first two hours Rune Factory 5, you will go into your first dungeon. Which will look familiar, as it is the area where the game begins. The mother of the girl you saved was with her and did not return from the trip. Her brother Murakumo and Hina basically task you to find her. This means going back to the woods. And again, it’s like Rune Factory 4. The difference is the perspective, because this is 3D, a third person story. You will happen on an area. It will probably have a portal that spawns monsters. In some situations, you will be stuck in that position until you beat them all. Enemies you defeat may drop important resources, like cloth or fur. As you go through, you will eventually meet a big boss. Of course, save points will appear at the entrance and before that big fight.
And from there, things obviously opened up more. After two hours with Rune Factory 5it’s easy to see what the development team drew so much from Rune Factory 4 the game worked. It also focuses heavily on learning by doing. Which means from the start, those familiar with the recipe can get back to their routine.
Rune Factory 5 will come Nintendo Switch on March 22, 2022 in North America and March 25, 2022 in Europe. Standards and limited edition will be available. It is available in Japan.
