Harvest Moon: GBC 3, released in 2000 for the Game Boy Color, marked the seventh installment in the Harvest Moon series, now recognized as Story of Seasons. Players could embody two main characters: Pete and Sara. If you chose Pete, you'd step into the shoes of the protagonist from Harvest Moon 2, having already mastered farm life. The mayor of your former town approaches you with a request to assist his friend's daughter, who's inherited her dad's farm despite lacking farming experience. Agreeing to help, you leave your own farm in the care of the villagers.
On the other hand, Sara's story unfolds differently. A cutscene depicts her as a child with her father on their farm, later deciding to take over its management. Mr. Heinz suggests someone to aid her in this endeavor.
The game features interaction between the protagonists, even allowing them to marry, and introduces their canon names along with a new map. There's the Island, your starting point, and the Mainland, accessible only on Mondays and Thursdays, housing various shops.
Natsume later released Harvest Moon 3 on the 3DS Virtual Console, expanding on its predecessors' tropes and shaping the series' future. However, its dated mechanics received mixed reviews, despite laying the foundation for future portable entries.
The gameplay in Harvest Moon 3 revolves around revitalizing an abandoned farm. Players choose between a male and female character, each with unique responsibilities. Males focus on crops, while females handle animal care. Despite limited inputs on the Game Boy Color, controls are intuitive. The marriage system debuts in this installment, albeit with limitations. Female players face an abrupt ending post-wedding, unlike their male counterparts who can continue gameplay.
The art style remains consistent with its predecessor, featuring top-down views and colorful sprites. While the visuals charm, the repetitive soundtrack proves grating. Despite these flaws, the game offers a solid farming simulation experience.
Harvest Moon GBC3 introduces two parallel plots based on the chosen gender. Pete, the male character, aids a girl in managing her deceased father's farm on an island. In contrast, Sara returns to her childhood home to save her late father's farm, receiving assistance from an outsider.
Gameplay in Harvest Moon GBC 3 presents distinct roles for each gender, focusing on crop management for males and animal care for females. This partnership system evolves as characters bond, eventually requiring no assistance. Marriage, central to the series, concludes the game for female players but allows males to continue.
The game's setting on an island adds unique challenges, with limited access to essential shops. Players engage in typical farming tasks, such as cultivating crops and raising livestock. The game offers additional features like part-time jobs, owning multiple animals, and ocean fishing.
Critically, the game received mixed reviews, praised for its colorful graphics and deep gameplay but criticized for its sound effects. Despite its flaws, Harvest Moon GBC 3 provides an engaging farming experience, setting the stage for future entries in the series.
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