28 October 2008
Josh

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon release date is November 18. Free pre-order gift included

Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon will be released for DS on November 18th, 2008. The game has officially gone gold, as announced by publisher Natsume, meaning it has been shipped to factories to be pressed in order for it’s release to stores.

Unlike the traditional farming RPG gameplay of Harvest Moon, the Rune Factory series goes into more of an action RPG direction while maintaining the farming aspects that long-time Harvest Moon fans love. The mixture tries to offer the best of both worlds to both fans and newcomers alike.

Rune Factory 2 is set several years after the first game. The evil Sechs Empire has been defeated, and the Kingdom of Norad is once again at peace. Things may not stay that way for long, however, as strange disturbances in the earth warn that a great evil is stirring. It’s up to player to uncover this new threat to the land and bring peace to the kingdom once more. Over the course of the story, players will build and develop a farm, befriend townspeople, raise monsters, take on quests, and find a wife.

In a first for the Rune Factory series, the story of Rune Factory 2 is multigenerational. Players begin the game as Kyle, a strange man who comes to Alvarna Village. Eventually, players will take on the role of Kyle’s child, opening up a whole new adventure. It’s an innovative feature that allows players to follow the story of their family and the townsfolk over two generations!

Gamers who pre-order Rune Factory 2 will be able to get their hands on an exclusive squirrel plushie while supplies last at GameStop and Amazon.com retailers.

“It is exciting to be just a few weeks away from delivering this highly anticipated title to gamers,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume. “Rune Factory 2 offers easy-to-use menus, an all-new compelling storyline, and deep, involving gameplay. Fans and newcomers alike will be delighted with this all-new adventure.”