Rune Factory 4 continues the popular mix of farm simulation and role playing game that its predecessors set with a 2013 North American release for the Nintendo 3DS platform. Nearly a decade later a remastered enhanced version known as Rune Factory 4 Special was released on modern platforms of Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and and PlayStation 4.
Rune Factory 4 features some of the biggest overhauls to the Rune Factory series yet to ensure that the game is both enjoyable for long-time fans and new comers to the Rune Factory franchise of games. In particular players will find new opportunities in the marriage system and a new level of control that extends beyond the farm area to include the large local town. In terms of story Rune Factory 4 follows a similar formula to the previous games with players being hit on the head in an attack which has resulted in memory loss which the core story revolves around.
Paired with this attack occurring high in the skies on an airship it also resulted in the player being flung overboard, landing in the small town of Selphia. From here players are mistakenly identified as a member of the royal family that was due to visit and take over the management of the town. This job requires players to attract tourists to the town while also making various improvements to the infrastructure to ensure the town can thrive and provide work for the inhabitants.
During this time players also uncover an evil plot involving nearby dungeons, monsters and the townsfolk which they have to deal with with players even able to recruit previous characters from the previous Rune Factory titles to help them on their dungeon quests. Outside of dungeon questing players will be able to marry one of twelve different unique bachelors and bachelorettes that have their own personalities to eventually create your own child that can join players within dungeon battles. With the focus that Rune Factory 4 has placed on this marriage system it’s a longer and more realistic process to creating these deep relationships with the townsfolk.
Alongside the help to the townsfolk players second core goal comes through the crafting system where you’ll craft all manner of items to assist in pushing the dungeon content or help the town thrive further. With required materials obtained from the likes of fighting, cooking, crops, fishing and forging a balanced progression focus will serve players best.
Rune Factory 4 is not solely about progression though with players having opportunities to put up their feet in the random town events and festivals that appear that serve to to help you refocus on the characters within your town and the reasons why you keep fighting against greater threats from the outside.
Summary:
- Originally for the Nintendo 3DS with an enhanced Rune Factory 4 Special for modern platforms.
- Perfect for new players to the series and long-time fans with familiar and fresh mechanics.
- Improvements to the marriage system make it feel more realistic and long term as you progress towards having your own child.
- Manage the needs and protection of an entire town instead of focusing on a single farm like past Rune Factory titles.
- Progress through a range of crafting focused mechanics to build up stronger equipment for new dungeon challenges.
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Review Platform: 3DS