Earliest Date for Successful Marriage Proposal, RF2

In my first game, the earliest day I could make a successful marriage proposal would be the 30th of Summer, when Mana reached 10 Hearts.

The earliest day that I could make a successful marriage proposal to Yue would have been the 1st day of Autumn, immediately after winning the 'Adventure Contest'. Yue remained at 9 Hearts prior to the day of the Festival. On the day of the Contest, she remained at 9 Hearts at dawn. When I spoke to her, however, her heart level increased to 10. If I had proposed to her then, however, I would have missed the Contest as the wedding would follow.

After I won the Contest by finding the Amethyst Herman had concealed on Blessia Island, I could have proposed successfully either to Yue or to Mana. (Mana's Heart Level had increased to 10 on the previous day, so I could have proposed to Mana on 30Summer.)

Technically speaking, it is not even participation in the Contest that makes the difference in heart levels but actually speaking to some one on the day of a Festival. I actually had Mana at 10 Hearts on the previous day. It is a little more dramatic, however, to link my acquisition of the title of 'Adventurer King' to the successful Proposal to Mana.

It is not by a full Heart that Heart Levels increase when you speak to a girl on the day of a Festival. This is true as well of Request Events. Very often, the girl will acquire another Heart after a Request is satisfied but sometimes the actual number of Hearts she has will remain the same. This makes it clear that each Request Event is worth a specific number of points rather than a full Heart. If the Eligible Girl is close to attainment of another Heart, fulfilling the Request will add another Heart to her Level, but if she is not close to the next level, she probably will have the same number of Hearts after the Request is satisfied. In the same way, speaking to an individual on the day of a Festival is worth a specific number of Love Points and Friend Points.

Here is the Wedding Event for Mana:



It is not the best I could have created, but in the interest of progress, I am going to move on to Yue's Wedding.

To propose to Mana, all I had to do was give her the Engagement Ring that Douglas relinquished to me in his Challenge Request. If I attempted to give it to her any earlier when she remained at 9 Hearts, she would have told me she was not ready yet for marriage. At 10 hearts, however, she accepted with alacrity. The wedding followed instantly. In fact, it followed so quickly that the official wedding photographer was unprepared!

Needless to say, I did not save the results, as I wish to be able to make a successful proposal to each of the Eligible Girls before I finally settle down with any one.

An Engagement Ring for Mana, Part II

At 9 Hearts, you will experience the first part of the Courtship Event that ends in your acquisition of an Engagement Ring. I posted Mana's Request at 9 Hearts previously. Once you have experienced that event, you need to return to the Bulletin Board where you will find a new Request: A Challenge from Douglas!

The following documents Douglas' Request Event:



The Event is mainly captured in short video clips to include the original music, as there are at least three different musical themes that occur in the course of Douglas' Event.

Yue's Request at 9 Hearts

As I wrote in the preceding post, Yue's Request Event at 9 Hearts was almost too touching for words. When you meet Yue, she stammers that she wants to go out on a real 'date' with you and asks to meet you on the following day.

When you meet her, she will ask you a series of questions about yourself. This is one of the more complicated Events simply in terms of the sheer number of options that you have throughout the course of your 'date'. Each question has three possible answers. Her response to you at the end is determined by the number of queestions you answered in the manner that would suit her best. There are three possible outcomes only in terms of her actual verbal response at the end of her 'Interview' with you.

The actual outcome of the event never changes, however. You can respond to each question with the least acceptable answer and she still will give you her 'present' before you leave.

Here are the questions with the response options for each:

1. What kind of food do you like?

Yue: Alright, let me ask you some questions, then! What kind of food do you like, Freyr?
Me: Hmmm… I’d have to say…

My choices now:

Lighter foods.
Richer foods.
Strange foods.

2. What kind of music do you like?

Yue: Alright, next question. What kind of music do you like?
Me: Hmmm…

My choices now:

Slow music.
Fast music.
Chanting monks.

3. What kind of clothes do you like?

Yue: Next question! What kind of clothes do you like?
Me: I don’t know a lot about fashion, but…

My choices:

Comfortable clothes
Stylish clothing
Underwear

4. What kind of books do you like?

Yue: Well, next question! You read sometimes, don’t you? What kind of books do you like?
Me: Books, huh…?

My choices:

Dramatic books
Adventure books
Children’s Books

5. What don't you like?

Yue: Now for my last question! Tell me something you don’t like.
Me: Hmm… Let me think…

My choices:

Hurting others.
Selfish people.
Vegetables.

I will post the responses that Yue prefers over the others after giving readers a chance to guess the answers that Yue would like best.

No matter what you tell her, she will give you 'Yue's Swap Ticket' and her heart level will not decrease, but her verbal response at the end of the 'Interview' will indicate whether or not she considers you a true 'kindred spirit'.

Yue's Swap Ticket in Rune Factory 2

Each time I think I probably have experienced the best romantic event in Rune Factory 2, another one challenges that definition. Yue's Request at 9 Hearts is truly amazing. It has plenty of humour but ends in a way that is calculated to melt the hardest heart and redefine courtship!

There are a number of different options in this event and each one is worth experiencing. As usual, the responses that you choose do not really signify in terms of increasing or lowering her heart level, but some elicit more amusing responses than other.

Another component of this Request Event is the hope that you could visit a new location. When Yue tells you the nature of her request, it will be to ask you to go on a proper date with her on the following day. When you meet her for the date, she will tell you, almost casually, that:

Yue: Freyr, you kept your promise. I’m glad you really came! Today, it’s going to be just the two of us! Since this is a special date, I thought we might go to another town so we could have a change of scenery.

My heart almost stopped, thinking of the possibility that we might be allowed to visit Kardia or some other wonderful village in the Harvest Moon universe. 'How cool is THIS!' I thought...

Of course, it is one of those 'teases' characteristic of Harvest Moon games, like the path that leads out of the Valley to Mineral Town in HM DS/Cute DS but which every character BUT yours is allowed to take!

Despite this disappointment, the Event is rich both in humour and in romance.

Yue is a generous girl and if you experience her Request Events faithfully, you will obtain a couple of useful accessories, including a Headband and a Critical Ring. It is in her Request at 9 Hearts, however, that you obtain the most valuable item of all: 'Yue's Swap Ticket'.

At the end of the Event, Yue will tell you, almost as an afterthought:

Yue: Oh, I almost forgot! I have a present for you. This is a coupon for my shop. I’m giving it to you, Freyr. You can exchange it for anything that I sell. I’ve never given one to anybody else. Think of it as a token of my love for you.

You got: YUE SWAP TICKET!

Me: I don’t know what to say, Yue. You’ve given me so much...
Yue: Please, take it. I’m just happy to be with you. I always want to see you. I’ll be waiting for you to come back! Thanks for today.

The description of the Ticket is as follows:

Yue Swap Ticket: CURIO: A ticket that can be swapped for a prize at Yue’s store. Apparently it is very unique.

It is only if you attempt to use it that you will discover its true potential. It is the equivalent of the 'Blue Feather' in terms of your Courtship of Yue.

Once again, I do not understand why any one would wish to rush through the 1st Generation in Rune Factory 2. It represents the sort of Harvest Moon experience that is most valued by those who enjoy character exploration, humour, romance and courtship.

More to follow...

Jake's Proposal and Cecilia's Request at 7 Hearts

Cecilia's Request at 7 Hearts represented one of the more complex situations in terms of Romance so far. She asks to meet your character at the entrance to Trieste Forest. When you arrive, she announces that Jake has proposed marriage!

You now are confronted with three choices. Which should you choose? What are the results of each? Here is the Event:



The outcome may be surprising to some.

Here is the dialogue in full:

I took Cecilia’s Request next.
She stood at the entrance to Trieste Forest.
Ceci: I’ve been waiting for you, Freyr.
Me: So what did you want to talk about?
Ceci: Jake… Jake has asked for my hand in marriage.
Me: What?! Seriously?

My Choices now:

What’s there to think about?
Don’t do it!
Marry me instead!

If I choose:
What’s there to think about?
She would say:

Ceci: How… How could you say something like that, Freyr?! Knowing how I feel!
Me: Cecilia…
Cecilia: I know you know how I feel about you, Freyr…
Me: About… me?
Ceci: I’ll be waiting for you, Freyr. For the day when you see me the way I see you.

If I choose:
Don’t do it!

Ceci: So does that mean you’ll marry me, Freyr?
Me: Umm, well, I… I’m not entirely su…
Ceci: I’m so happy! I’ll be waiting, Freyr. Waiting for the day when we start our new lives together.


If I choose:
Marry me instead.

Ceci: Really?!
Me: Umm, well, some day soon… I want to propose to you the right way, though.
Ceci: I’m so happy! I’ll be waiting, Freyr. Waiting for the day you propose to me.

***********************************

As you can see, Cecilia's determination to control the outcome outweighs any considerations that you may deem vital, including the feelings of your friend Jake!
You will have other chances in the future, however, to choose whether or not you wish to marry Cecilia yourself or stand aside in favour of your Rival.

Updated Animal Crossing Wild World Guide

****************************************************************
Due to pressure from a number of players, and long overdue at that, I finally updated my Animal Crossing Wild World Comprehensive Guide this morning. In fact, I am a little ashamed of myself for not having done so sooner. I never envisioned that I would have created so many guides for so many different games, nor did I imagine the amount of labour that would be entailed not only to write them initially but to update them as required.

In any case, although this prevented me from making any further progress on Rune Factory 2 it nonetheless was a worthy task. I added two new sections to the guide.

One is a section about gardening that gives information both about Trees and Flowers, and includes information about hybrids and how to create them. I actually had thought the information about hybrids had been included in my Guide long ago as it was in my game journals but a player assured me that was not the case. It therefore was important to rectify that omission. For players who wondered why there were no lights in the Trees during Festivals or acorns to be found during the Acorn Festival, I explained the need to keep Trees other than Fruit Trees growing in your Village.

The other section actually contains information sent to me by another player and includes some tips about fish shadows and insect-hunting. As the information corresponded with my own experience of the game, I included it in the guide, duly crediting the player who kindly compiled it for me. I seldom use information provided by other players in my guides, simply because I always have tried to base my guides on my own games. In this case, though, I made an exception because I knew it to be accurate and because the player had made an effort.

In a few days, I will begin to work on a guide for the new Wii version of Animal Crossing. It will be quite a challenge to do justice to THAT game while still working on Rune Factory 2 but both games deserve considerable attention and Animal Crossing, like Harvest Moon, is an old favourite of mine. I could not refuse the opportunity to play the new Wii version of the game, could I?

When I first began to play Rune Factory 2, the Requests made by individuals reminded me somewhat of the requests made by my Animal Neighbours in Wild World, although the characters in RF2 tend to be a little more logical in their needs. Even so, it made me rather nostalgic about my own Animal village, now choked with weeds I expect...

The updated version of the Comprehensive Guide for Wild World should be uploaded to IGN later this afternoon. As always, you can find the link on the right side of this page.

Romance is in the Air in Rune Factory 2

The Heart Events are coming thick and fast now in my own game in Rune Factory 2. The Message Board is filled with requests from Eligible Girls. I had expected to hear from Mana and Yue, both at 9 Hearts, but when I had the option to make a proposal of marriage to Cecilia, in the course of her Request Event, I was rather taken aback for a moment. Still, never let it be said that my character is a coward... I duly accepted the challenge and chose the proposal option, even though I do not intend to marry Ceci in this game. The results of that, as well as the other options I could have chosen, will be included in my next video effort.

Meanwhile, I made a video of Mana's Request Event first, as it was the simplest, involving the fewest alternate paths. It is only Part I, however, as it leads to other events. In fact, drama of the highest order is expected in Part II.

Here's is Part I of 'An Engagement Ring for Mana':

Bizarre (Imaginary) Harvest Moon Contest

There was a time when I posted 'Harvest Moon Trivia' contests on the IGN message board. It was fun to think up the questions and fun to see how quickly other fans would answer them.

This morning I thought of a truly bizarre (imaginary) Harvest Moon contest: a contest to make Dorothy's Chocolate Cookies according to Cammy's recipe. Would any one have the courage not only to attempt the recipe but to try the dish that resulted? Can you imagine???

Here are the ingredients again as given in the Event:

Me: They don’t taste much like chocolate… in fact… just what did you put in them to create a flavor like this…?
Dorothy: Ah… well… it’s a secret recipe, but…
Dorothy: Lamp Grass, Scorpion Pinch, Tuna, Carrots, Onions, Pineapple…
Me (with tear): Okay… you’re upsetting my stomach. Please, that’s enough…
Me (with many tears): Why did you put all of that stuff in it?
Dorothy: But… I just followed the recipe as shown in this book…
Me: I see… that sounds like an odd recipe. Can I take a look?

Unfortunately, it's an impossible task in our world as I doubt any one can find 'Lamp Grass' or 'Scorpion Pinch'.

There always have been odd recipes in Harvest Moon games. Remember how one could make the Suns in FoMT and MFoMT? In those days, we wondered about their uses... Now, of course, we know that they are extremely useful and can be placed in a convenient Basement or Greenhouse to grow crops out of season. Even the 'Winter Sun' has its use, to allow Fruit Trees to progress through their natural growing process to bear fruit when planted in a Greenhouse.

If only we could make 'Elli Leaves' in the real world. How wonderful to be able to take 'Failed' or 'Burnt' Food and transform it into an exotic leaf that restores energy!

Games within Games in Harvest Moon

This is nothing more than a quick post to respond to a player's question about Cute.

The player asked: After scrolling through your guides, I didn't see anything about it so I decided to ask you. :D
In harvest moon Cute, when i pressed A next to the telephone, suddenly I was 'transported' to a screen that had multiple people in the game, in the Excavation Site, then a question saying 'how many muffys were there?' & there were options. When I tried again, nothing happened. How do I make it happen, & what'll happen if I answer correctly? (End of comment.)

What the player is describing is one of the Mini-Games available both in Harvest Moon DS and Cute DS. It is not the Telephone that gives you access to this game but the Record Cabinet in your house. The information is included in my HM DS General Guide in Section XXVII, under the heading of 'Mini-Games'. I believe I included it in my HM Cute DS General Guide as well but if not, please let me know and I will rectify the omission.

In many respects, HM DS and HM Cute DS are identical. If a player cannot find information about an aspect of the game in one of my Cute Guides, please look at the corresponding HM DS guide. For example, I did not duplicate the 'Perpetual Calendar' guide but it is as valid for HM Cute DS as for the original HM DS.

Here is the information about the Mini-Games in HM DS/Cute DS:

XXVII. Mini-Games:


There are a number of mini-games in the DS version of Harvest Moon that can be
accessed only by performing a specific action.


How many Girls?:


This game can be played from the start of the game if you go to your record
cabinet at 6.01 a.m. precisely and press 'A'. To do this, you need to exit the
house as soon as you awaken at 6.00 a.m. and re-enter it immediately. When you
press the 'A' button, you will open a little game.

In this game, there will be 12 girls on the screen, each facing one of the four
directions. There may be more than one of any given 'eligible girl' in the
game. In other words, there may be three Floras, two Muffys, four Celias and
two Namis and one Lumina. The configuration of 12 girls will flash on the
screen for a moment and then you will be asked a question. The question may be
as simple as how many of the girls were Lumina? You may be asked instead how
many of the girls were facing east.

If you guess correctly, the only prize you will obtain is a few points towards
your Farming Degree. If you want to make certain to win, save your game BEFORE
you press 'A'. If you lose, reload and play again.


Which Bear?


This mini-game can be played only at the stroke of midnight if you press 'A' in
front of your television. You will see the Witch Princess with three bears.
She will sprinkle coloured powder on the bears and you will be required to
choose the bear she indicates after she changes their positions rapidly. This
game will last for ten rounds if you keep winning. If you choose correctly 10
times, you will gain 100 AP with the Witch Princess.

N.B. This game is NOT available in the English version of the game once you
purchase the DVD player. All you can do with the television then is to use it
to watch DVDs once you have purchased the DVD player and a DVD. If,
therefore, you wish to play the Three Bears game, do not buy the DVD player
immediately. You do need the DVD player to experience Lumina's 2nd Heart
Event, however.


Gladiator Girls


This mini-game can be activated only at 4.44 a.m. when you press A in front of
your doghouse. The Witch Princess will officiate here, choosing an opponent
for you from the eligible girls in the game.

When the game opens, she will say: So you're finally here. Let's test your
power and see what you're like. Here we go.'

You will engage in a typical turn-based RPG battle with the girl the Witch
Princess has chosen. If you win, the Witch Princess will choose another
opponent for you randomly. One by one, you will be forced to battle against 5
of the eligible girls in the game. The Mineral Town girls are included as
well. An interesting aspect of these battles is the addition of your 'rival'
for each girl. The rival in each case will aid the woman he loves, and both he
and the girl herself will attack. If you manage to emerge victorious from all
five encounters, you will be able to fight the Witch Princess herself! Defeat
her to win the Battle Master item.

Recover Stamina Twice.
Recover Spirit Twice.

In classic RPG turn-based combat style, you will be able to choose from a
number of different moves whenever it is your turn. The choices are:

Attack
Defend
Dodge
Charge
Special
Escape

If you have sufficient Spirit, you will be able to choose to execute a 'Super
Move' by choosing the 'Special' option. These include Super Attack and Super
Healing. If you choose 'Super Healing', the Harvest Goddess herself will come
to the arena to heal you, showing a big red heart and restoring your Stamina.

The Accessory that you equip before you activate the game will have some
influence on your Stamina and Spirit. It therefore would be wise to equip one
that does boost your Energy. The best of these would be the Witch Princess
Earrings as it restores Stamina and combats Fatigue. If you would rather see
your opponent's levels of energy during the battles, equip the Truth Ring
instead. (I opt for the Witch Princess Earrings myself.)

I personally found it easiest to win these battles if I used 'Defend'
occasionally and 'Super Heal'. The Defend move allowed me to recover some
Stamina, probably because I had equipped the Witch Princess Earrings.

If you win the game against the Witch Princess, it will be 4.00 a.m. You will
have the 'Title Bonus' in your hands and you will not have had any sleep! The
title that the Witch Princess gives you for winning the battle is 'Battle
Master'. The document she gives is described as: Title Bonus: Whatever it
is, you get it when you get a title.



Harvest Goddess Counting Game


Players familiar with FoMT or MFoMT will know this game as the one that the
Harvest Goddess plays on the television with you during the first five days of
the New Year. In this game, however, it will not be available until you have
rescued 60 Sprites and made 20 offerings to the Harvest Goddess. If you guess
correctly twice or more, you will win a random number of a random upgraded
level of seeds. If you continue to give her offerings each day, she will play
this game with you again periodically.

Incidentally, as the prize is a random number of seeds, you cannot have any
tool equipped in your tool slot when you play the game or the Goddess will tell
you that you cannot carry the prize, even if there are empty slots in your
rucksack. Make certain, therefore, that your tool slot is empty before you
drop the offering into the Pond.

Harvest Goddess: You've come so many times that I've beocme familiar with
Mineral Town. Let's play a game. I'll put out a card between 0 and 9 and
you guess if the next is bigger or smaller. If you guess correctly a few times
in a row, I'll give you a prize. Good luck. I'm starting.
Comparing to First is this one
Bigger
Smaller

You then choose 'Bigger' or 'Smaller'.

Example:

Harvest Goddess: That was three. Before was three. You chose Bigger so...
They are the same. So we keep going.
Comparing to Next is ...3?

777777777777

That was 7, before was 3. you chose Bigger so...

That's correct.

N.B. It can be a little confusing because of the manner in which she speaks of
the numbers in this game. If you wish to guarantee that you win the game, save
your game before you drop the offering into the Goddess Pond and then reload
either if you lose before winning a prize, or if you win seeds that are not
particularly valuable.

***********************************************

I do have a question myself for players. The Witch Princess' Mini-Game could not be activated in the original English version of HM DS. Is it possible to access it in Cute? I never had time to test that myself.

***********************************************

Other 'mini-games' that are an integral part of regular gameplay include the games played at the Casino in HM DS/Cute DS.

It is not only HM DS/Cute DS that offers the player an opportunity to play various mini-games. Tree of Tranquility has a separate menu for the Mini-Games unlocked in that game. You do need to unlock the full menu but once you have done so, you can go directly to that menu to play a mini-game instead of being obliged to trigger it again in the course of regular gameplay.

Most Harvest Moon games in fact include 'mini-games' even if they are included in the regular game. In MFoMT, one could play a number of mini-games with Won. His 'Apple Challenge' game as well as his slot machine game are two ways in which the player can become rich quickly in MFoMT.

Finally, who can forget the ubiquitous Mole who pops up in game after game to wreak havoc in your Field? 'Whack-a-Mole' is a venerable mini-game that has been featured in many Harvest Moon games. In ToT, it can be played either as a Mini-Game or whenever you encounter a Male in the Mines. Prizes for whacking the Mole in the Mines consist of Recovery Items such as Pontata Root...

Note: The screenshot is simply one of the Witch Princess in her home with her beloved Bears in Island of Happiness. The Mini-Game in HM DS/Cute DS is quite different, and is accessed through the television.

Dorothy's Courtship Event: Chocolate Cookies

As I have become more aware of the popularity of Dorothy, I have made a little video of one of her courtship Events in Rune Factory 2. You will find 'Heart Events' in Rune Factory 2 to be quite different from those in other Harvest Moon games. Often when you have a choice of responses, the one you choose will not affect the girl's heart level, even if it appears to be a 'negative' response.

'Heart Events' are experienced when you accept Requests from the Eligible Girls. In this event, Dorothy requests that you meet her to try her Chocolate Cookies. In the course of the event, you have a choice to pronounce the Cookies either to be 'good' or 'awful'. It is by accepting and completing the Requesty that the girl's heart level is raised. Even if you tell Dorothy her baking is 'awful', you will not lose any affection with her. In fact, this response leads to a very amusing result, one that may be more interesting than that experienced if you make the 'positive' response.

The video shows both results.

Farm Rankings in Island of Happiness

It was only when a player wrote to me to ask how the Wi-Fi Ranking system in Island of Happiness worked that I realised I had neglected this aspect of the game completely in my Guide. When I played IoH, I was curious about the Wi-Fi component of the game initially, but as the game had not been released at that time, there was no way I could have competed against any one. I therefore promptly forgot about the option...

I am adding a section to my General Guide now, but will post the information here as well for players:

In order to participate in the system, a player first must register for the week. It is best to do this on Sunday or Monday as that will give the player the potential to have as many of his/her actions count as possible. Once the connection to the server is made and the player has registered for the week, everything he/she does is recorded. For example, all items shipped after registration is made will count towards the ranking. You must make certain, however, that your records are submitted.

On Saturday, the records are tallied and the winners are selected. Afterwards, the prizes will be given out and the users can register for the next week. Prizes for winning are Wonderfuls. The colour of the Wonderful that you receive actually IS random in this situation, unlike the Wonderfuls given at Festivals or by your Spouse as an Anniversary gift.

Here is the schedule:

On Sunday/Monday: Register/Update Rankings.
From Monday to Friday: Play your game and work towards that week's rankings.
On Friday: Submit My Records.
On Sunday/Monday: Again Register/Update Rankings to see if you have won.
Repeat the entire process...

Fishing Contest in Rune Factory 2

This post is devoted to the Fishing Contest in Rune Factory 2 in the first year of the 1st Generation of the game. I'd like to make a point here as well, based on a comment by a reader. The reader wondered if any detailed exploration of characters in the 1st Generation game would be a waste of time and energy, based on the fact that most of the real plot of the game occurs in the 2nd Generation.

Even I, who revel in exploriation of characters in any Harvest Moon game, had decided to move more quickly than usual through the 1st Generation only because Rune Factory 2 is scheduled for release in about a week and I wanted to have some preliminary facts about the 2nd Generation game in my Guides by then.

Well, I cannot do it. The dialogues are too good to pass by. As I have declared on many occasions, the genius of Harvest Moon is found in the details. 20 hours is far too little time to spend on the 1st Generation of Rune Factory 2.

I believe that every sort of player should be fulfilled by the upcoming Rune Factory 2, Fantasy Harvest Moon game. Those who enjoy a classical RPG may be more excited by the 2nd Generation 2 game than by the 1st, but there is action in the 1st Generation. Information gained in the first half of the game, moreover, will be useful later.

On never should be too impatient in Harvest Moon. So much can be missed or lost through impatience. In any Harvest Moonb game, marrying too quickly will preclude you from experiencing events with other eligible partners. It is best to enjoy each day and to be satisfied with life, even if the future promises more excitement.

It was in order to demonstrate the rich variety of the 1st Generation game that I made the following video of the Fishing Contest. You will find romance and humour in the interactions of the characters. Often, you need to speak to an individual twice in order to trigger all possible responses. In Rune Factory 2, dialogues that include more than two characters often occur when you prompt the second interaction.
There are many of these 'mini-events' at every point in the 1st Generation game.

Those who love Dorothy and Barrett will find that they are major participants in the Fishing Contest. Those who share my own fondness for Max will be delighted by his dialogues on the day of the Festival.



I have to admit that, not knowing what to expect at the Festival, I had saved the rarest, largest and highest level fish in anticipation of the event. It was a wasted effort: the 1st Year Contest featured the Sardine, a variety of fish I had shipped always as one that was fairly common and easy to catch.

When I entered a Sardine of 14 cm., I expected to lose and did. When I entered a 16 cm. Sardine, I was a bit surprised to achieve only the same 'honourable mention' as I would have had for the smallest fish. At 18cm., however, the Sardine I entered actually WON 1st Place! Given my previous test entries, I had expected only 2nd place at best.

My strategy of saving my best fish in advance of the Festival day would have been sound if only I had saved a Sardine. I now will replay the day one more time to see if I win again with an 18cm. Sardine (provided I catch another) or if the result can change randomly.

In the Eating Contest, for example, I had the same stats twice but obtained different results each time from that.

In fact, as is the case with most Festivals in Rune Factory 2, residents will talk about the Event when you speak to them on the previous day. It is on the day before the Festival that Yue will tell you that winning the Contest 'probably comes mostly down to luck, anyway. You should give it a try.'

That leads me to suspect that the results are partially random, although I'd be very much surprised if a small fish would beat Dorothy or Barrett's entires in any situation.

I had gone through the Fishing Festival a couple of times to test different results and to make the little video about it. It was only when I played through the game properly though that I obtained a choice bit of dialogue from Natalie.

On the day before the Festival, she told me: 'Tomorrow is the Fishing Contest. I still remember the year when Douglas got a hook in his backside. Gordon swore it was an accident…'

Is it vital? No. Will it change anything in the game? No. Despite all that, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It is this sort of detail that keeps me enchanted with Harvest Moon.

An Extended Bath: Julia's Request

Julia is a bit of a crusader where personal beauty is concerned. She will persuade your character to take a very long bath as one of her Requests. He ultimately will pass out with a resounding 'THUD'.

Despite a brief period of anxiety when your character is unconscious in the bath, Julia recovers her spirit quickly. Once again, I am surprised by the long-suffering patience of my character in this game. He puts up with so much teasing and experimentation on the part of the various Eligible Girls in Alvarna without ever losing his sunny dispositiobn. He is a thoroughly 'nice guy' and represents the ultimate good sport.

Dorothy and Fern in Rune Factory 2

Dorothy appears to be one of the most popular characters in Rune Factory 2 with players of both genders. Her relationship with her doll 'Fern' is the subject of many amusing dialogues.

In fact, one of Dorothy's first Requests involves Fern.

Dorothy: I think Fern… has got a fever… So… I need a WOOLY FURBALL from a Wooly…
Me: Fern? That doll of yours, Dorothy?
Dorothy: Y-Yes… She’s got… a fever… So…
Me: Ah! Maybe… the cotton inside the doll is rubbing together, creating friction and heat…?
Dorothy: …
Me: (with many tears) I’m sorry, you didn’t want to hear that sort of analysis, did you? So I just have to defeat a Wooly and get the WOOLY FURBALL it drops?
Dorothy: Th-That’s right… Thank you. Ah, the Wooly Monsters appear in Trieste Forest at night, so I hear… I… do hate to ask, but… Please, get me a Wooly FURBALL… Thank you….

When you give her the Wooly Furball:
Dorothy: Thank you. Now Fern can get better. I-Isn’t that good news, Fern? Th-Thank Freyr too, okay?
Fern says… thank you too. This is… j-just a little something. You got: GREENIFIER!
Dorothy: I hope it helps you out in the fields… I’ve … I’ve got some wood here, too… Please, i-if you can use it…
You got 100 pieces of wood!

In another Request, Dorothy declares she wishes to talk to you but when you speak to her, she will ask you to discuss matters with Fern instead.


Dorothy: Fern… wants to… talk to you, Freyr…
Freyr: T-Talk to me…? Um, okay. Uhh… how exactly do I talk to her?
Dorothy: Ah… I’ll tell you what she says… So please… talk to her… Fern is saying… h-hello…
Me: Hello, Fern. Hello to you too, Dorothy.
Dorothy: Ah… Fern wants to talk to you… Or rather, ask a question… Would you … answer her…?
Me: Yeah, no problem.
Dorothy: … Tell me, Freyr, what do you think is the principle that guides your actions? That’s her question.
Me: So, uhh… what’s the principle I live by…? (Is she testing my values…?)

My choices now:
To help every one as much as I can.
To take care of myself first.

I chose the first of course.

Dorothy: (…) I see… That’s a good way to live! Please stay friends with Dorothy! That’s her reply.

She gave me another reward of TOYHERB SEEDS.

As her affection increases, she will request that you take a walk with her.


Dorothy: Would you please… T-T-Tackle a w-weak with me…?
Me: Tackle a … what…?
Dorothy: Ah…! That came out… all wrong…! Oh… oh…oh…
Me: ???
Dorhty: Okay… okay… Fern… Please… tell him.
Dorothy (…) Dorothy wants to take a walk with you.
Me: Take… a walk?
Dorothy: That’s right. She’ll be waiting in front of the church tomorrow.
Me: Okay… I understand.
Dorothy: Good. Make sure you show up tomorrow. I’ll give you back to Dorothy now.
Dorothy: (…) That’s… what I wanted to say… so, can we take a walk?
Me: Okay. I’ll look forward to it, Dorothy.
Dorothy: Okay… thanks…

In fact, when some one makes a date to meet you at a specific time on the following day, you usually will be able to find them hours earlier at the designated rendezvous and experience the event immediately.

Me: Hi, Dorothy!
Dorothy: !!! H-Hello, Freyr… Just wait a moment, please…
Dorothy: (…) Hello, Freyr. It’s me, Fern.
Me: Hello, Fern…
Dorothy: I need to talk to you about Dorothy. Please, will you listen?
Me: Yes, of course. (What’s going on…? I thought I was here to spend time with Dorothy…)
Dorothy: Dorothy trains hard every day to be a nurse, but, as I’m sure you’re aware, she’s also very shy.
Me: Well, I think it’s great that she’s trying.
Dorothy: it’s not easy for her. She studies very hard, and she’s very passionate about medicine. But, no matter what she does, she can’t seem to communicate effectively with other people. But that’s a vital part of being a nurse. I believe that the key to solving this, the one thing keeping her form being a great nurse… Lies with you.
Me: With… me?
Dorothy: That’s right. Could you help her to finally open her heart?
Me: If it will help Dorothy, then I’ll do whatever I can.
Dorothy: Thank you. I knew you were the right person to ask. So please… take care of Dorothy.
Dorothy: (…) Ah… so…
Me: Don’t over-think this. Just relax and take your time to decide.
Dorothy: Okay. .. Thank you… I’m sorry about today… for taking up your time. Well… goodbye.
She races away.
Me: So… the only way Dorothy can express her true feelings is through her doll… From what the doll just told me, though…
… it sounds like Dorothy really wants to get better at talking to people. To help her, I’ll need to get her to start talking without that doll. Well, it looks like I’ll have to take that walk with her sometime in the future.

At 6 Hearts, Dorothy will confess that Fern is a very jealous creature.

Dorothy: If Fern sees me with other dolls, she gets really jealous…
Me: I’ve never seen you carrying any doll other than Fern, Dorothy.
Dorothy: Fern would get angry… But, it’s okay because I love Fern, too.

In another dialogue relating to this personality trait:


Dorothy: Ah, Freyr, g-good… morning. If Fern sees me with another doll, she gets really jealous…
Me: Fern really loves you, doesn’t she, Dorothy.
Dorothy: So, I really can’t talk to other dolls…
Me: You have a lot to worry about…

Courtship in Rune Factory 2, 1st Generation

Courtship in Rune Factory 2 is fairly straightforward. As always, speaking to an individual on a daily basis will increase Friendship levels rapidly and characters will impart important details about themselves at specific levels.

Girls eligible for marriage have both Love and Friendship Levels as they did in the original Rune Factory. Some actions will raise both. Others will act only on Friendship levels.

At the very start of the game, Mana will instruct you on how to earn Friendship and Love.

Mana: If you want to make frie4nds with some one, try to talk to them every day. You can also give them presents. Taking part in the festivals will help, too.

The following shows some of the dialogue of each of the Eligible girls when you invite them to gaze at the cherry blossoms with you. Some of the opinions of other residents on the Flower Festival are included as an introduction.

It is interesting to discover that speaking to every one on the day of a Festival is more important perhaps than actually asking a girl to watch with you. Speaking to each of the Eligible Girls on the day of any Festival increases both Love and Friendship levels.



Courtship events can be linked to another individual, even a Rival in some cases. One of Alicia's Requests involves a 'date' with Mana, for example. One of Yue's Requests involves Julia. It appears that both Love and Friendship points can be earned with respect to all the participants in a Request event.

One point that needs to be notes with respect to items that are part of a Request Event. You cannnot keep the item for yourself iinstead of returning it to the rightful owner or dlivering it to the designated recipient. Whether the item is a jar of Honey or an Accessory, it will disappear from your inventory if you seek to keep it yourself. Yue's Request Event at 8 hearts involves an Accessory that she made for you but lost on Blessia Island. When you find it, you must return it to her so that she can give it to you directly.

I know I wrote about the Flower Festival previously, but I thought I would share the video I made of the Event.

Interesting Choices in Cecilia's Request at 6 Hearts

It is at 6 Hearts in Rune Factory 2 that a girl apparently begins to like you in a romantic sense. When a girl reaches 6 Hearts, she will appear on Alicia's romantic 'radar'.

At 6 Hearts, you will have the opportunity to expeirence an interesting request event with Cecilia. She will ask you to meet her in the Dining Hall of the De Sainte-Coquille Manor. Unlike some other requests of this nature that require you to wait until the next day to complete the request, you can simply leave the Manor and return immediately to find Ceci in the kitchen area of the Dining Hall behind the great staircase.

Here is the text of the Event with your three choices of response:

Ceci: Thanks for coming, Freyr.
Me: No problem. So what did you want to see me about?
Ceci: Umm, I was wondering if you like APPLE PIE?

Your choices now are:
Yeah.
Not really.
I like you, Cecilia.

Without knowing the result of each response, which would you guess to be the BEST option to choose?

Here is the result in each case:

If you choose: Yeah.
Me: Yeah, I love it!
Ceci: Really?! That’s great. I was worried that maybe you didn’t like it, and then what I’d do if you didn’t… Because I baked this for you. Will you accept it?
Me: Hey, an APPLE PIE! It looks delicious.
Ceci: I… I hope you like it…
Me: Well thank you very much. I’m sure I will.
Ceci: I think you will too. I’ll be sure and bake you another sometime! Thanks. I’ll look forward to it.
After: I’d like to make something else for you sometime, Freyr. I think it’d be fun to bake for you every day!


If you choose: I like you, Cecilia.
Me: I like you, Cecilia.
Ceci (with many tears): Umm, wow, well… that isn’t exactly the answer I was expecting to hear…
(Blushing) But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy to hear it… Hey, don’t you hate these awkward moments? Well… thanks, Freyr.
Me; (I was actually kinda joking around, but I can’t really tell her that now, can I?)
After: Actually, I… Freyr, I… I… no, it’s nothing. Thanks for coming all the way over here today.


Finally, if you choose: Not really.
Me: Actually, I’m not a big fan.
Ceci: Oh, I see…
Me: So what did you need me for?
Ceci: Umm, I’m sorry, it’s … it’s nothing. I can take care of it myself.
Me: Oh, okay.

Completing the 6 Heart Event with a girl triggers a new dialogue whenever you see her afterwards. In the new interchange, the girl will ask you a question and you will be required to choose between two possible responses.

In Cecilia's case:

Ceci: Say, have you… have you noticed anything different about me lately?
My choices:
Nothing at all.
You gained a little weight?

If you choose:
Nothing at all.
Ceci: Really? That’s good to hear.

If you tell her she gained weight:
Ceci: Y-you mean you’ve noticed?! Nooo!

As you cannot see the precise number of Love points earned at any point in time, I could not judge by points between the first two choices during the event. It is my opinion that a laconic 'Yeah' is the best response as the reason Cecilia called you to the Dining Hall was precisely in order to give you a piece of Apple Pie. Furthermore, Apple Pie can be shipped for 1510G if you do not wish to eat it, keep it or 'regift it'.

Rivals actually react to others in Rune Factory 2

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In most Harvest Moon games, your relationship with any eligible girl or bachelor has no effect on other eligible partners. Jealousy, except in a few exceptional instances, is not a factor. One exception to this is Ann from Mineral Town in Harvest Moon DS, who will react to Muffy's interest in your character in no uncertain terms. On the whole, though, eligible girls/bachelors tend to ignore the very existence of any rivals in most Harvest Moon games.

In Rune Factory 2, however, you will find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you invite one girl to a Festival but then speak to other eligible girls afterwards. They will express their disappointment. At the Flower Festival, you actually can invite a second girl to gaze at the flowers with you after taking some one to the cherry trees, but if you do, beware her ire!

Even on other days, there are three girls who tend to tease one another and make references to their rivals' romantic interest in you. These girls are Mana, Alicia and Cecilia. If you go to Mana's bedroom on the day prior to the Dance Festival after 6.00 p.m., you will experience more than one embarrassing conversation!

On the morning of the Dance Festival on 19 Summer, the three girls collect in their usual Festival location outside your Monster Barn.

It is difficult to choose a partner for the Dance, to be honest. Each girl has such an emotional investment in the occasion. If you do not save your game afterwards, you can experience the charming dance with each of the girls. The result, however, of experiencing the Event is to raise a girl's Heart Level in terms of Love by 1 point. Your final choice therefore does matter.

I will post some of the dialogues here to give you an idea of how each girl responds to an invitation. Some are more poignant than others.

Girls tend to be found in the same locations on the day of any Festival. Mana, Alicia and Cecilia gather together outside the Monster Barn. Yue will be found alone next to the Pool 'to another world' that allows Wi-Fi connection. Rosalind will be found at the West End of Alvarna on the main street.

Barrett and Dorothy stand on the Falling Star Path near the crossroads. My hope that Dorothy could have fun at the Festival with Barrett if I chose some one else was dashed when I spoke to Barrett.

He declared quite plainly:
Barrett: Today’s the Dance Festival. I don’t want any part of it… Why don’t you go enjoy yourself?

Max and Julia can be found side by side at the port near the ship that sails to Blessia Island. One has no doubt whatsoever that Max will be more than happy to squire his companion to the Dance should you fail to ask her and that he is a fabulous dancer himself.

Max: Is that what you’re wearing to the dance, Freyr? Well, to each his own, I suppose.
Still, I hope you’re prepared to impress the ladies with some fancy footwork. Nothing impresses a woman like a man who can dance!

The responses each girl will make are very different, but the actual dance is the same in every Event. Alicia's responses may be the most entertaining, as one might have guessed.

Alicia: So today is the Dance Festival… My fortune predicted that you’d come up and say to me…

My choices:

Please dance with me.
Um… never mind.

I asked her to dance and she said:

Alicia: Uh? Oh, really? Yes, I would love to!
Me: Shall we dance, Alicia?
Alicia: (My reading was right! I did get asked to the dance!)
Me: Did you say something?
Alicia; What? Oh, no, it’s nothing.

In the end, my own choice was determined by pity.


Here is the event with Alicia:




Actually, though, in the end, my final choice was determined by compassion rather than any other consideration. Yue looked so lonely there by the Pool. With neither family nor friends in Alvarna, I felt compelled to ask her to the Dance. Her responses were the most poignant as well, even more than Dorothy.

Yue: Today is the Dance Festival. I doubt any one’s going to bother asking me out, but I can’t help being a little nervous anyway.
Yue, would you like to dance with me?
Umm, never mind.
Yue: Who, me? Really? Are you sure, Freyr? Or are you just joking? If you really mean it, I’d love to.
At the square:
Me: Shall we dance, Yue?
Yue: I’ve got to warn you. I’m a terrible dancer. But we can have fun anyway, right?
Me: Of course we can.
After the dance:
Me: Thank you, Yue. That was nice.
Yue: Yeah, I had fun! I didn’t know you were going to be such a good dancer!
Me: I’ve never really had much practice.
Yue: I had so much fun, Freyr. You don’t know how happy it made me to be asked to dance. Thank you. Well, I’ll see you later, Freyr.

Whomever you ask, you will be forced to endure verbal expressions of disappointment from some of the other eligible girls if you speak to them after you have danced with some one else.

For example, Ceci will remark:

Ceci (with cross hurt): Oh, you already danced with some one else? But I was really hoping... Never mind.

Mana (with cross hurt): You danced with somebody else, didn't you? Why didn't you ask me instead?

Alicia (with cross hurt): Haven’t you already danced with some one else? According to my fortune, that’s not going to lead to a very happy future.

Rosalind will ask;
Rosalind: Hmm? Freyr, where exactly were you leading me today?

Julia is one exception. As I had expected, she will be quite happy to dance with some one more skilled than I.

Julia: Did you enjoy the dance? I had a great time with my partner.

Actually, Yue and Dorothy are too polite to make a fuss.

Yue will simply say, rather sadly: 'Hi, Freyr. You look like you're having fun.'

Likewise, Dorothy will ask: 'Did you have fun?'

It may be coincidental that Julia was at a lower heart level than any of the other girls and was most complacent where my own behaviour in asking another girl to the Dance was concerned. I would be interested to know whether she would have given a different response had she been at 8 hearts like Mana or Yue. When I play my second game, I'll work harder at the start to court Julia as 4 hearts is on the cusp of romantic interest as it were. At 5 hearts, a girl will show up on Alicia's romantic radar as one who has an interest in you. (I rather doubt the girls' post-dance responses if you dance with another girl change according to heart level, but it is one of those details I'd like to confirm later when I have time.

Note: I should make it clear that, for all their verbal reactions to their rivals and any interest that you take in another girl, doing so will NOT lower any girl's heart level.

A Little Tour of Trieste Forest and other Seasons

Here is a little tour of Trieste Forest, courtesy of Freyr. He is accompanied as always by his favourite Monster, his Silver Wolf, named (without much imagination) Wolfe. He stops to speak to Yue who mentions the Dance Festival on the morrow and expresses an interest to discover how well he can dance. He then goes forward and flails about rather ineptly in the various areas of the Forest due to the fact that I cannot hold the camera and use the DS controls effectively.

You may notice that a Chest containing a War Trophy is left behind more than once and that the combat is left to Wolfe. Freyr takes a few blows from various monsters but ignores them in the interest of showing you the Forest.

It is eternally Spring in the Trieste Forest and Spring Crops and Flowers can be grown there. An apple tree in the northeast corner of one screen displays Apples every few days. As Freyr collected them yesterday, unaware that a tour of the Forest was in the future, you will not see any Apples on the Tree. The Pomme-Pomme Monsters in the first area of the Forest drop Apples as War Trophies on occasion as well.

Aquamarines and Emeralds are the gems that can be mined here. Again, as Freyr is helpless while I carry the camera, he cannot use his Hammer in the course of the tour...

The text of the conversation with Yue is as follows:
Yue: Good morning. It’s a nice day, isn’t it? Tomorrow’s the Dance Festival. I don’t dance much, but I still have a good time.
Me: I don’t think I’m very good at dancing either, but I’m looking forward to it.
Yue: I wonder what you dance like…



Here is one of the Messhina Valley and the Padova Mountains. The guide is becoming rather weary of this, as he says he looks like 'a right prat!'. He is quite a good fighter in his own right, but you wouldn't know it from the way he appears due to my own ineptitude with the camera.

The Messhina Valley is ruled by Autumn and it is here that you find the Buffamoo and the Cluckadoodle, two 'Ranch Monsters'. In fact, you will see the Buffamoo here, on a screen accessed by a bridge that is almost hidden from view. At night, the same location is frequented by the Cluckadoodle.

The Padova Mountains are ruled by Winter. In fact, this is the home of the Silver Wolf. I have one more video that contains some exciting combat scenes of wolf pitted against wolf...

Delightful Max in Rune Factory 2

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Although I still am playing the 1st Generation game and therefore have no business fancying a guy, I quickly have fallen under the spell of Max, heir apparent to the Sainte-Coquille fortune. Barrett may be attractive as the rather dark, unapproachable hero whose heart girls will desire to gladden, but Max has that open charm and devil-may-care attitude displayed in earlier Harvest Moon games by characters like Rock. He is amusing and winsome and extremely handsome. Of course, as I always tend to fancy boys with long hair, Max is a natural choice. I find my own male character in Rune Factory 2 very appealing, but falling in love with oneself really would be too bizarre.

In your first meeting with Max:
Max: Hey, I’m Max.
Me: Nice to meet you. My name’s Freyr.
Max: My name’s Max. I’m second in charge of the de Sainte-Coquille family.
Me: Uh, Okay.
Max: By the way, what’s your name?
Me: (Uh, I just told you, but…) My name is Freyr.
Max; Freyr, huh? Now that’s a name I can remember! My name’s Max. Don’t forget it, now!
Me: Okay.
Max: Here, I’ll tell you again, so you don’t foregt. I’m Max. Max de Sainte-Coquille, okay? One more time, so you don’t forget! MAX! SAINTE-COQUILLE!
Me: Yes, yes! I got it! Max!
Max: What are you so mad about?
Me: I’m not mad at all.. Sorry, but I’ve got to go…

For days afterwards, whenever I spoke to him, he continued to introduce himself again and again.

With each increase in his heart level, he has his own signature method of revealing details about himself.

Max: For some reason, I’ve been strangely captivated by PROOF OF WARRIOR since I was young. Well, just a little background knowledge you should remember.

Each time he tells you about an item he likes, he will tell you that it is 'just a little background knowledge you should remember.'

Max: FLUFFY SCARF is so enchanting the way it’s so fluffy. I just love this. Well, just a little background knowledge you should remember.

One of his requests is very amusing as well. He will ask you to bring him an Arrowhead so he can prove to his friends that he is a man of action, silencing the gossip describing him as a 'braggart who does nothing.'

At a higher heart level, he once again will tell you about items he likes, but this time, he employs a different method.

Max: I really like PROOF OF WARRIOR. I can’t really say why aloud. If you want to know, lend me your ear.
Me: Okay, go ahead. (I can’t wait to hear.)
Max: *whisper* The reason I like it is…
*whisper* a secret.

He will repeat this performance for awhile, each time he tells you about another item that appeals to him.

As you become a closer friend of his, he will begin to give you advice in different aspects of romance and life.

Max: If there’s a girl in this village that you like, you should actively make use of the bulletin board. There should be some concern or request from that girl among the postings there. Check the postings frequently and find a solution for them on your own. If you do, before you know it, you’ll have a romantic relationship started with the girl that you’re interested in.
Alright, you’ve got some choice information. I’ll let you borrow that advice, but you have to pay me back 1 million times!

Each tidbit of advice is followed by his declaration that you can 'borrow that advice, but you have to pay me back 1 million times!'

More recently, he confessed his dislike for Weeds in the following terms:

Max: I really hate WEEDS. They’re so persistent! And they get everywhere! And they’re so… so… ugly! Ugh, I find them deeply disturbing.

Am I the only one or will other girls find him as appealing as I do? Although some one rather contemptuously assumes that the only reason a girl would be interested in him would be for his money, I would find him equally attractive were he penniless. Perhaps, though, his light-hearted and sunny embrace of life is partly the result of never having to worry about the necessities of existence...

Later: Having virtually no experience in creating videos on my laptop, this is my first real effort. It is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Max and the legacy of the De Sainte-Coquille family, including screenshots of the bequests they have made to the village of Alvarna as well as personal information about Max given BY Max. The music was chosen almost randomly but it is an old French pop song that I have a feeling would be the sort of music that Max himself might like. I think he would listen to a lot of classical music as well, especially very old operas by Handel and Henry Purcell. Please don't be too critical. If I become better at this, I'll try to create more useful videos about Harvest Moon...

Farming in Rune Factory 2

For those Harvest Moon players who pride themselves on knowing the natural 'Harvest Moon' order of things in terms of crops and seasons, Rune Factory 2 will offer a challenge: the old natural order has been reversed in many cases, and you must be ever-vigilant of your own expertise. Some crops like Pineapples continue to be grown in the expected season, but others have been moved to different growing seasons. Onion is a Spring Crop, for example and Eggplant is a Summer Crop. Potato is an Autumn Crop. The flowers appear to be true to form. Moondrop and Toyflower belong to Spring; Pinkcat is grown in Summer and Blue Charm is grown in Autumn. I would have to consult my old Rune Factory Guides to see how the Crops differ in Rune Factory 2. All of the amazing magical plants in the original Rune Factory, such as Emery Flower and Lamp Grass, are available in the sequel.

Carelessness in neglecting to 'read the label' with respect to seeds can be extremely expensive. There are many crops that require more than a full season to grow to maturity. You therefore must limit the crops grown in your own field to those that can be harvested before the season changes. It would be a terrible pity to spend 54000G on a bag of Emery Flower Seeds and then sow them in your field. As they take a full year to mature, you will be saddened to discover they have become nothing more than Withered Grass when Spring changes to Summer...

A clever player will save money in anticipation of the 'monthly sale' announcement. A 30% discount on a bag of seeds that costs 54000G represents considerable savings.

In other ways, however, farming in Rune Factory 2 appears worry-free compared to Island of Happiness. Watering and Sunlight no longer are variable. In fact, you neither can over-water a crop nor waste any water in your watering can. If a plot has been watered previously, your watering can will remain full if you attempt to water it a second time in the course of a day.

Monster help is a great boon both on the farm and in caves/dungeons, but a player should be aware of the fact that any work done by monsters will not serve to increase your character's levels. You need to continue to use your tools and weapons if you wish to increase your levels in this game. A balance needs to be made between the advantages of monster service and those accruing from your own experience.

Something that may require mention is the manner in which seeds and other items are sold at the Pumpkin General Store. Most items are sold in stacks of 9. If your character wishes to purchase a single item, he must separate the item from the stack before he moves it into his rucksack. If you believe that you have sufficient funds for a bag of seeds but find that you are unable to purchase it, you probably have forgotten to separate it from the stack of 9.

Once again, genius in the details

Rune Factory 2 is a game that consists of more than 400,000 words, but it is not in text alone that the game pays attention to details. As early as the first season, a letter will arrive in your postbox to announce a 'monthly sale'. With 30% off the price of seeds, one is able to buy the most expensive types of seeds on the market...
It's a clever little incentive and players should take advantage of it if possible.

Rosalind's 'Heart Event' in Rune Factory 2

I do not know how to make a video. All my time is spent in writing rather than learning how to manipulate graphics, although I have some interest in that. In any case, the music in Rune Factory 2 is rather wonderful and I was struck particularly by the tune that accompanied Rosalind's Heart Event. I therefore uploaded it to YouTube.

The quality both of the picture and of the music is poor but perhaps it will give players an idea of the delightful music in this game. I decided not to play through the event on the little video, as the text would be very unclear and would detract from the music. I have included the text of the event below.

The actual event is a picnic. Rosalind has prepared the most exquisite dishes for your character. As always, he is very sweet in his acceptance and his appreciation. She asks him to meet her at the Alvarna - North Square. As soon as you speak to her there, the music changes to her 'heart event' theme.

Rosalind: (with music) I’ve been thinking that I’d like to share all of the new recipes that I’ve been creating with some one.
Me: Okay. (It looks like I’m the only person she has to share them with.)
Rosalind: So… On that note…
(blushing) If it’s okay with you… To repay all the favours that you’ve done me… I would be honoured if you allowed me to cook for you. I’ll prepare every recipe I’ve invented!
Me: F-F-For me?
Rosalind: Of course. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you can say no…
………………………. But still… If you can, I’d really like for you to taste my food, Freyr…
Oh, what am I saying? It’s not like me to be so… so pushy.
Me: Rosalind! It’s not very often that I have the chance to sample your food. How could I pass up an opportunity like this? I’ll absolutely let you cook for me!
Rosalind: R-Really? Yaaaaay! Thaaaaaak you.
Rosalind (with music): How about we have the meal at Alvarna – North Square? Everything tastes better when you eat it outside, doesn’t it?
Me: Outside? That sounds great.
Rosalind: Okay. I’ll start making preparations. Why don’t you head to Alvarna- North Square a little bit ahead of me, okay? My food-loving father gave this food his seal of approval. So you better be thrilled!
Rosalind stands next to Yue at the top of Alvarna – North Square. This definitely is a ‘Heart Event’ as the music changes as soon as I speak to her.
Rosalind: Freyr! Come over here. I made us a picnic. Please, eat up.
Me: This looks delicious! Let’s get started!
Rosalind: Let’s eat.
Me: *munch munch munch*
Rosalind: How does it taste?
Me: This taste of this is… exquisite. And it smells wonderful. It really wraps around your tongue… but it’s subtle, too.
Me: This is really an amazing dish!
Rosalind (with music): Sounds like you like it. That’s good… All the testing I did with my father was worth it.
Me: Yummy, yummy. *munch munch munch*
Rosalind (blushing): Ah, Freyr, you’ve got some rice on your cheek. Here, I’ll get it for you…
Me: ………………………!!!
Rosalind: Okay, I got it. Calm down, please. Savour the food.
Me: *munch munch* *gulp gulp* *munch munch*
Me: Whew, I’m full. That was quite a feast.
Rosalind: I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope I’ll get another opportunity to cook for you some time!
Me: Heh, I can’t wait! Thank you!
Rosalind: Ah, look at the time. I’ve got to get home. It was very nice spending the time together today. Rosalind: (blushing now) Thank you for helping me make such a nice memory.
Me: Thank you for the feast. Tomorrow I’ll be back to working for you again.
Rosalind: Heeheehee!

First Generation Bestiary Guide

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Although there is little one can do in terms of the actual 'story' plot in Rune Factory 2 in the 1st Generation, I decided I should complete all aspects of my Guides before I moved onto the 2nd Generation. Two important aspects of the game are the acquisition of all necessary tools and a complete Bestiary. I have completed both now.

Monsters are a vital aspect of both Rune Factory games. They serve many purposes, from providing all Ranch products and acting as helpers on your farm to being a source both of transport and War Trophies. A War Trophy from a Monster often will be the object of one of the Requests on the Bulletin Board. Although the individual who makes the Request will tell you precisely where to find the War Trophy in question, it saves time and energy if you have saved items in advance in your Cabinet.

Knowing which Monsters will water crops and which will harvest them can be useful as well. If you intend to grow as many crops as possible both on your own field and in the plots in the Cave/Dungeon areas, it is most helpful to have a Monster working for you on your farm.

Monsters who neither produce any Ranch Products nor can be trained to work on the farm nonetheless may be useful companions in a fight. All Monsters can be commanded to accompany your character when he goes to any Cave/Dungeon and they automatically will fight by your side against both enemies and Monster Generators. Some Monsters are more powerful than others and some have far better attack strategies than others.


In the 1st Generation game, there is one Monster who will act as a Transport Animal, and in fact, it is one of my own personal favourites in the wild animal kingdom. You can ride a Wolf both in the original Rune Factory and in its sequel although the Monsters bear different names in each game.

The Silver Wolf whom you can ride happens to be one of the best fighters to have with you in combat as well. In the 1st Generation game, he is powerful enough to take out any Monster Generator with a single pounce. He can fell any Monster enemies with one or two blows. His attacks are very well-aimed as well. There are other types of Monsters who may be powerful but less adept at aiming their attacks precisely.

I have included screenshots of my best Silver Wolf. One shows the Monster Options Menu that appears when you have taken the Monster from the Barn. As you can see, one of the options for the Silver Wolf is to 'Get on its back.' Another screenshot shows my character riding the Silver Wolf through Cherry Blossom Square. The last screenshot shows both screens in the Trieste Forest Cave/Dungeon Area. Note that a detailed map of the Cave/Dungeon appears on the top screen. Among other things, it shows the location of any tillable land in the area.

When you are mounted, you neither can fight nor use farm tools. Dismount to use your Watering Can in any Cave/Dungeon area. The Monster will wait patiently by your side until you complete your chores. (Farm work is 'beneath' a Wolf!) As stated previously though, the Wolf is very useful even when your only purpose in visiting the area is to tend to the crops. He will take out the Generation instantly while you defeat the enemy it spawned, saving you time.

One cautionary note that I will make certain I include in my General Guide is the potential effect of combat on Crops. Using any weapon where a Crop grows may destroy the Crop as surely as if you used a Sickle on it. In the beginning of the game, when my attention was directed solely towards the threat any Monster posed, I inadvertantly destroyed a couple of my Crops by fighting the Monster on the plot where they were growing. If you do not have 9 squares filled with fully ripened Crops or Flowers, a Rune Point will not appear. By allowing my character to flail about with his weapons on the farming plot in the Cave or Dungeon, I lost a chance to create a Rune Point...

To be honest, in the 1st Generation, you may find that you have far more Rune Points than you can use. It is only later that you will be able to make every Rune Point count.

My Caves and Bestiary Guide now is complete for the 1st Generation game. It gives the name and specific location of each Monster, the time of day when it appears, a full description of its skills or Products and the War Trophy it drops.

Paths of Romance in Rune Factory 2

When I first began to play Rune Factory 2, a player asked whom I intended to marry. I had not made a choice at the time. I wished to become better acquainted with the characters first... As my character is a male, I need to choose a wife from the eligible girls in the game.

A strange thing happened, however, as I continued to play. I find my own character incredibly attractive! He is the ideal male in many ways. He is the epitome of a caring, easy-going guy with good manners who is brave and hard-working, impervious to despair and who always tries to encourage others. He meets insults with good humour and tries to understand why other characters behave badly rather than responding in the same fashion. He is very sweet. As I experience the romantic events with each of the eligible girls, I become more and more impressed with my own character! It makes me feel a little schizophrenic. As I am a woman in reality, it kind of makes sense I suppose, although I usually get into character when I play a male role in a game.

In Island of Happiness, one could play a male and marry the female counterpart or play a female and marry the male counterpart. Both characters in IoH are attractive, but there is something exceptional about the male character in Rune Factory 2, whose default name is Kyle. I'd like to be able to court and marry HIM.

In the events with Dorothy, a pathologically shy girl who never is seen without her hood, he demonstrates a lot of sensitivity and good humour. I am including the event that occurs at 5 hearts below... It is in the form of a pretend interview and your character must choose between two questions each time. I am including the 'correct' choices here.
Dorothy: You see… I … want to become a nurse.
Me; I know that. I think wanting to become a nurse is a wonderful goal.
Dorothy: (…)
Me; There’s no need to be so embarrassed! (She’s turned bright red!)
(Oh no! I need to make her more comfortable.)
Me: So working as a nurse is actually pretty tough, I guess, isn’t it?
Dorothy: Yeah… that’s right… And so… So… there’s something I’d like to ask you, Freyr… Just hold on a minute… okay…?
Me: Dorothy, stop! Let’s talk without Fern, okay?
Dorothy: Huh…? Um, well… I’m not sure…
Me: You want to take the nursing exam, don’t you, Dorothy?
Dorothy: Th-That’s right… and the written part is no problem, but…
Me: But?
Dorothy: The interview…
Me: Ah, the interview. I can see how that might be a problem.
Dorothy: That’s right… So, I was hoping you might help me practice a little… You know… to get me ready…?
Me: Yeah. No problem, Dorothy.
Dorothy: Th-Thanks…
Me: Okay! I’ll be the interviewer. Let’s practice. Hello, Dorothy. First…

My choices now:
Let’s start with an introduction.
Let’s start with self-analysis.

Choose the introduction, of course.
Dorothy: Okay… my name is Dorothy…
Me: That was easy. Let’s keep going!
Dorothy: Okay…
Me: Next…

My choices:
What do you like?
What don’t you like?

Me: What do you like?
Dorothy: I like Cymbidium orchids. They are also called boat orchids, and their name comes from kumbos, meaning hole or cavity.
Me: Wow. You know a lot about flowers.
Dorothy: Ah… well… I do like flowers…
Me; That was good. Well done. Well then…

My choices now:
Will you lend me that doll for a moment?

What’s the name of your doll?
Me: What’s the name of your doll?
Dorothy: Fern… that’s her name.
Me: did you choose her name, Dorothy?
Dorothy: Ah… yes, I did…
Me: That’s quite a rare name. And a good one, I think.
Dorothy: Oh… thank you…
Me: so…

My choices now:

What’s the best way to maintain beauty?
What’s the best way to maintain health?

I chose health.
Dorothy: Wake up early… and go to bed early…
Me: Ah, so that’s the secret to good health?
Dorothy: That’s right… Don’t work too late yourself, Freyr…
Me: I’ll be careful not to. Finally…

My choices:

Do you have lots of friends?
Do you have a very close friend?

Me: Do you have a very close friend?
Dorothy: Yes… Some one called Freyr…
Me: Hah hah hah. Thank you. I’m very happy to hear that.
Dorothy: (…)
Me: (She’s clammed up again. Well, she did pretty well without Fern.)
That’s all for the interview. Well done!
Dorothy: Thank you. I think… I’ve found some confidence.
Me: Great! Now you’ll be able to ace the interview too.
Dorothy: Well… I hope so.
Me: If you keep on talking to people, you’ll keep getting more and more confident, too!
Dorothy: O-Okay… Well… I know I could count on you, Freyr. Thank you …very much…

Very amusing if less poignant is one of Julia's requests, that you find her something healthy to eat at the Market:

Douglas is behind the counter when I follow Julia’s request to bring her hearlthy food.
Douglas: Well, I have some CABBAGE CAKES and SALAD.
Me: Oh, well, maybe I’ll take the SALAD.
Douglas: What?! You’re a man, boy! Whaddaya want a SALAD for?
A man should go with CABBAGE CAKES! They’re deep-fried and delicious! SALAD’ll never make ya big ‘n strong! Ga ha ha!
Me: Oh no, it isn’t for me.
Douglas: I’m tellin’ you, you want the CABBAGE CAKES!

Your choice now:
I’ll take the CABBAGE CAKES
I’ll take the SALAD.

Me: I want the SALAD!
Douglas: Ga ha ha ha! That stuff’s for sissies! You’ll never grow up to be big ‘n strong like that! Be a man, boy!
Me: (It’s not for me, for goodness’ sake…)
Douglas: Here, here’s your little SALAD, Miss Freyr.
You received a SALAD.
Me: Thank you.

Salad: 2560G
A combination of raw vegetables. Very, very nutritious.
Give it to Julia:
Julia: wow! You got me a salad?! (with music) Great! This is just what I wanted! Perfect! Just what I wanted! You’ve got great intuition, Freyr.
Me: I’m glad you’re happy. But Douglas thinkis I’m the one who’s going to eat it. He kept telling me that salads are for sissies.
Julia: Oh dear! How terrible for you! You went through all of that for me? You have my gratitude. Thank you, Freyr. Here’s something for you! (musical note)
You got FORMULA A!
Why not try using that on your crops? It should do them some good!
Me: Thank you.

If I had taken the Cabbage Cakes:
Douglas: Atta’ boy! Eat these dvery day, and you’ll be bigh ‘n strong in no time! Ga ha ha!
You received a Cabbage Cakes.
Me: (Boy, Douglas really knows how to push a sale.)
Give it to Julia and she’ll say;
Julia: Just … what were you thinking…?
Me: Ah… I’m sorry. Douglas really insisted that I take this.
Julia: Hold it! You seriously think I’m going to eat that?! Do you want me to put on weight?! Freyr, you moron! I can’t bear to look at you right now, Freyr! Just get out of here!
Me: Sorry!

These requests occur at different heart levels and you then will find them posted on the Bulletin Board in the Town Square. They are the equivalent of 'heart events'.
In fact, when Max warms a little to you, he will begin to give you all sorts of romantic advice and will tell you:

Max: If there’s a girl in this village that you like, you should actively make use of the bulletin board. There should be some concern or request from that girl among the postings there. Check the postings frequently and find a solution for them on your own. If you do, before you know it, you’ll have a romantic relationship started with the girl that you’re interested in.
Alright, you’ve got some choice information. I’ll let you borrow that advice, but you have to pay me back 1 million times!

Possibly the Request that required the greatest sacrifice on my part so far was Rosalind's Request to catch a cold so that she could try her new medication on me. For two consecutive days, I had to stay up all night in order to catch a cold. Whenever you stay up all night, you lose 4 hours in the morning, only recovering control at 10.00 a.m. rather than 6.00 a.m. It was one of the most rewarding, however, in financial terms as she paid me 8000G. when I drank the medicine. Incidentally, the medication does WORK. You recover instantly from the cold.

The events need not be romantic in nature in order to raise Love Points as well as Friendship Points. Rosalind's Request wasn't particularly romantic, after all. In some cases, though, the girl actually asks you to meet her for a romantic tryst. When that occurs, there usually is no material reward. The increase in affection is deemed sufficient...

One of the oddest Requests was Alicia's Request to meet Mana (a rival) for a date in order to prove her prediction correct. My character was too honest and scrupulous to allow Mana to meet me under false pretences. He had to confess it was Alicia's idea, although he admitted that he wanted to meet Mana nonetheless.