For more than 2 decades, the Harvest Moon video game series has been comforting for millions of fans. Most of the games follow a very standard formula: the main character moves into a farm left by a relative, and then spends their time developing the farm and building relationships with the townsfolks.
This simple concept has inspired hundreds of imitators with their own takes, like the monster-taming game Rune Factory, or the retro-themed Stardew Valley. But few imitators match the same presence thanks to the incredibly realistic, emotional, and relatable characters that show up throughout the Harvest Moon series.
10 Cliff
Cliff has shown up in many of the comforting Harvest Moon games and is often a wilderness-loving wanderer who blows in through town. He often comes and goes with less regularity than other romanceable characters, but there are always ways to convince him to stay for a while - and even get him to put down roots.
Cliff's best appearance is in Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town. In FoMT he is very shy, but also rebellious and adventurous. Players have to put a lot of time into getting close to him, but eventually, he can be convinced to stay in town and work with the winery - and eventually romanced.
9 Celia
In Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, Celia's appearance is that of a mousy young woman who struggles to find her place in the world. She is guarded by her protective older brother Marlin and defers to her outspoken aunt Vesta. But when the player spends the time to romance her, she blossoms.
Celia is a fan-favorite character thanks to her amazing character growth throughout the romancing process. Players are given the opportunity to see a young woman grow alongside their own character, becoming a much more confident and self-assured woman. This growth is important to the love players feel for her.
8 Gale
Gale, or "Wizard" as he is known throughout most of the game, is a character that is unique to the game Harvest Moon: Animal Parade. In the game, Wizard appears late in the game as players work towards restoring the natural beauty of the area that surrounds Harmonica Town.
Wizard is a quiet and shy young man who is knowledgable about much in the natural world, but very naive and inexperienced around people. The player has to spend a lot of time to help get past the wall of books that he metaphorically keeps up, but the charming young man within is sweet and kind.
7 Cam
While most Harvest Moon games take place in a rural, farm-based setting, it might be a surprise to hear that there aren't often florists in the series. But when there are, they make a huge impression. Cam is a florist who meets the player in Tale of Two Towns, one of the Best DS and 3DS HM games.
Cam is a sweet and gentle soul, who provides the players with lots of information about his passion - flowers. Cam is useful at first because flowers are a major part of his game's relationship meters, but wooing him shows a new side to the player. Cam is also one of the best-dressed characters, a major plus.
6 Muffy
Muffy is another unique character who provides the player with a deeply fascinating and emotionally intelligent character to develop a relationship with. She is a barmaid in the Harvest Moon DS game. She is a very flirtatious and outgoing character who hides a lot of pain and anxiety.
Wooing Muffy reveals a great deal of her backstory, including her past struggles with romance, a common gaming archetype, but still enjoyable. Though she is so outgoing and bubbly, she also reveals a lot of insecurity after bad breakups. Her fear of having her heart broken is deeply relatable and understandable making Muffy's character emotionally realistic.
5 Luke
Luke is a very strange character in the Harvest Moon series, in appearance and personality. As the lumberjack's son, Luke is often seen in the woods chopping down trees or helping his father out throughout his day. But Luke is a powerfully energetic person who dreams of adventure - unlike most characters in HM who are more grounded and comfortable.
Luke's energy is often infectious, with many of his heart events leading players into little adventures that they can bond through. His relationship is also easy to gain points for - simply wearing a bandana around him gets his interest. This is a fun and easy relationship to get into.
4 Karen
Karen is a character who makes frequent appearances throughout the HM series. She is most often the market salesperson, providing the main character with many useful items for their farm and town life. She is strong-willed and always there for the player once they start dating.
Karen's main draw is her down-to-earth and girl-next-door vibes that provide players with a character that is instantly recognizable. Nearly everyone has met a girl like Karen, and it's easy to feel comfortable in a relationship with this character. Though don't expect much in the kitchen - she's a terrible cook in all games.
3 Gray
In most HM games, there is a blacksmith to help upgrade and improve the player's farm tools. Gray is most often the apprentice blacksmith, but occasionally he is the blacksmith himself. This young man has a fiery temper and is often very bristly for the player to interact with. But underneath is a tender heart.
Gray is such a great character because of how his character changes as players get to know him. It's very endearing to start off with a rude character and slowly peel away layers of anxiety, doubt, and stress. What lies underneath is a very sweet and thoughtful young man under a lot of pressure.
2 Popuri
Popuri is one of the most common non-player characters throughout the series. Her iconic pink hair and blustery attitude are mainstays of her appearances. While her bright and sweet attitude might make you think she's a florist, she is actually a chicken farmer most of the time.
Popuri is a very young and brash character, but she hates to be treated like a child. She often has big dreams of adventure and leaving the village to prove herself in some way. This is instantly relatable and understandable for many who started playing this game at a young age - and the player character, who often has to prove themselves on the farm.
1 The Harvest Goddess
The Harvest Goddess herself appears in almost every Harvest Moon game, often guiding the player to the major goals of the game. Sometimes she tasks the player with restoring nature, building connections, or even simply fully developing the farm. But every once in a while, she is romanceable herself.
The Harvest Goddess is just that - a goddess. She rarely understands how the human world works, and is often single-minded in her focus on farming. But in the end, she's a goddess. Who would turn down the opportunity to marry into a diety's family? What's more, she often carries large benefits to the farm and crops in general when married.
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