Why do people consider this game fun?

I hope you have enough food too make up having only half of an energy meter.

Same to you. Good luck with your gaming.

 

Energy represents a limitation of the character in a farming sim much like gravity does for platformers and ammuntion for FPSes. Through the actions of the player, these limitations are overcome by practice and determination, providing a satisfying and perhaps enriching experience for the player.

We only have room to grow if we start with nothing.

 

@Hail Kira I play it like a time management as well, although with what you describe it is more of capitalist & reflex? (Don't know the word for the second one, maybe meticulously). Regardless it is an interesting way to play, even if I don't quite play it that way.

I do though play it like a time management, as it is time well managed that I do, even if it is in a casual way. I just have a lot of patience, and know that with time I will eventually unlock everything, so I am not in a rush to do every possible thing in a time frame. Which is what the inspired games would have one do; and that would be the difference, because this game one can go about it casually. So in other words I am just biding my time dividing it within each month of set goals to accomplish. Within each week to prepare for the long run of the month, and each day setup and put to what tasks I have before me.

I am the same way with an RTS type game, or any strategy game that will allow me to. I like turtling along so I can theoretically see the scenic route while I do things. It is in one way casual, but in another quite meticulous in itself to hold off doing to much for the long term. Basically thinking ahead so I can loosely plan things out gradually getting what I have in mind done. It is always the journey that most interests me, and not the end goal; Although the end goal is quite an accomplishment.

Also for myself, money doesn't mean much if you can't spend a whole lot of it on something or other. Is the primary reason I play slowly, and don't usually sit on a mound of cash, as I even plan out the spendings from my earnings in order to put into my build up. Basically only turning a little profit that will keep a steady flow from year to year; upkeep + small profit.

It is just the way I am, and the way I perceive "Time".
"every moment counts even when chasing butterflies enjoying the beauty before me, and all around."

EDIT: Efficient was the word I was looking for. I guess I am efficient in my own way, at least where time is concerned...

 

I like farming games, so this game is fun. If I get bored of farming I can go fishing, bored of fishing I can go mining... or adventuring... or foraging... Bored of that? Achievement hunting... finishing the community center (which requires me to gather certain items and hand them in)... or go find many of this games secrets. Seriously, there are so many...

In retort to being "limited" let's imagine you go run a farm right now, you would run out of energy quick. In this game you do, in the beginning... Once you ran your farm for a while you would start to use energy more efficiently. This game emulates that well, as you progress you gain more maximum to your energy and honestly at year 2 (which is a decent way into the game, but not super far in) I have so much energy I never worry anymore. You can buy the energy up at the different festivals, shops, achievements, etc... I do not even have half of them yet and I never run out.

On top of being able to recharge via food.

TL;DL To answer your question, I like farming games, and this game has SO much more to do, and SO many secrets to find, you will never get bored. Ontop of outstanding quality. Max energy increases as you play and eventually becomes so much you never notice it anymore. Can also restore with food.

 

Haha capitalist is a good way to describe it i guess... I like to use my time efficiently as possible... Even though i dont really know what the most efficient path is. I also enjoy discovering how everything works and working out prices/time/return.

Im also looking forward to playing factorio, but im waiting for it to go on sale...

I like your style btw haha

 

@Hail Kira lol

Looks like you beat me to the punch on the word I was looking for.
Yeah there are plenty ways to be efficient, especially in producing money. For seasonal it will be different for each season, while artisan crafts can take onto that as well. There are probably many ways to go about it in layout, crops chosen, and crafts to be had while doing so. I as well like trial and error, but generally spread it out. That and I really like to chase those butterflies...

 

OP was answered several times over and already reached a decision, but I just wanted to add my two cents:

CA is a cutie pie cinnamon roll who worked super hard and went/is going above and beyond. Give him your money.

 

Too bad he has a girlfriend already amirite

 

Again, ties in with the video I posted. Harvest Moon had a difficulty option which was 100% volunteer. Without going into options to set it on easy/hard, etc. To get the best ending possible you had to be a workaholic. But you literally had to do nothing for 3 in game years to lose. So there was a varied degree of success in between the worst ending and best ending.

 

Holy balls, love this video. This is so true for me with Stardew Valley!

Anyway, I find it 'fun' because of the fact it's a Harvest Moon game done right. The recent Harvest Moon titles over the past years have been crap to me, and not near as 'fun' as this.

 

Hibernating during winter? The only time I did that was when I bought Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness. In a desperate attempt to save myself from starvation (If you starve in the game, you only pass out for the rest of the day, and you wake up the next morning with a half meter in fullness, so much for a "save". But not passing out basically means "not dying" for me.) and poor preparation for the winter, I decided that I would hibernate through the entire winter. Barely made it, then I went out and ate every herb I could find.

 

Aye, a fine game, and a fine description indeed.