This whimsical farming simulator game, with its engaging quests and magical adventures, is full of innocent fun. Yet, while it’s free of objectionable content, the presence of some vague mythological elements in the plot may make it an inappropriate choice for impressionable young players. When the Harvest Goddess disappears, so too do bountiful crops across the globe, leaving behind only a few varieties of vegetation. Players travel across five different regions cultivating the land and raising livestock. Their ultimate goal is to revive the goddess and thereby restore fruitfulness to the earth. There’s a stimulating variety to the locations gamers traverse, and the optional experience of courting the opposite sex is handled in a restrained and wholesome way with a stress on respect and dignity. Some of the Japanese-to-English translations are clunky and controls can be finicky. But, overall, this is a gentle and rewarding experience. Playable on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Nonscriptural religious themes. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Entertainment Software Rating Board rating is E — everyone.
Harvest Moon: One World
