Back to the Farm with Rune Factory 5
In the run-up to Rune Factory 5’s May 20th Japanese release date, developers Marvelous Entertainment have revealed several plot and gameplay details that are sure to get you hyped for another bout of action-adventure farming sim goodness!
As per usual, our protagonist arrives in a sleepy farming village suffering from a bad case of amnesia and is quickly welcomed into the local community. In Rune Factory 5 we’ll be joining the local peacekeeping force Seed to teach the townsfolk how to protect themselves from the monsters that pester the town of Rigbarth.
Among the gameplay features revealed are the returning monster taming mechanics, allowing you to recruit monsters to fight alongside you, and the usual Rune Factory progression system in which you increase your skills with certain weapons by using them in combat. An interesting new mechanic is the Seed Circle, an item that can be charged up and used to stun monsters, steal items from them, or even temporarily recruit them to you side.
Also returning is the farming mechanic introduced in Rune Factory 4, which allows you to level up certain patches in your farm to increase the yield of crops grown there. While the farming system is mostly the same as Rune Factory 4’s, there were some expansions teased. Of course, it’s not all about farming, and Rune Factory 5 promises to continue the link between your personal life and your adventuring life – By increasing your relationship with certain NPCs, you can ask them to join your party as you journey out into the wilds.
For fans of Rune Factory 4 Special, Rune Factory 5 will have an extra surprise – If you have a Rune Factory 4 Special save file on your Switch, fan-favourite NPCs Doug and Margaret will be introduced into Rigbarth to join you on your adventure. By carrying out their quests, you’ll unlock exclusive Rune Factory 4 costumes for your character.
The fantasy farming franchise will be coming to the Switch in Japanese on May 20th, with an English release scheduled for later in the year.