Natsume has released the next game in its popular Harvest Moon series. Called Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea, the title is available for relevant consoles and on PC right now.

Players who purchase the game quickly enough on Steam will receive a digital bonus: the Mooberry Cow Pack, which includes pink cows, Mooberry Milk, and a retro-themed outfit for the two main characters.

Players who purchase the Special Collector's Edition, which apparently was limited to only 500 units manufactured, will receive a Collector's Edition box containing a hand-painted Lupo wolf-shaped flowerpot, along with a journal, wildflower seed packet, a wolf plushie, a themed calendar, and stickers.

Although the game only just arrived today, Natsume announced it already is working on a Season Pass and DLC roadmap, which it plans to reveal soon.

Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea introduces Bloomfield Village, where you have lived a peaceful life. That's about to change, though. A mysterious mist is creeping onto the scene from the Forest of Echoes, sending the local wildlife population into a proper tizzy. Strange disasters also threaten villages across the land.

As the game's hero, you'll explore a vast landscape full of hidden caves, remote islands, and various towns. You'll build a farm, forge friendships, and perhaps even track down a romantic interest, even as you save the kingdom from great evil.

Harvest Moon games have clearly changed a lot from the ones I last played.

The player character is in a barn with a cow, apparently brushing it as the animal looks pleased.Credit: Natsume
The player character is in a barn with a cow, apparently brushing it as the animal looks pleased.A purple-haired woman named Lorelei reminds the player character that he must follow union rules.The player character runs alogn a street leading into a town with multi-level buildings to either side.A woman named Mara with red hair looks forward to showing the player how fun the ocean can be.The player character stands with one hand raised to shield her eyes as she looks at whirling tornadoes in the distance.Two characters discuss how shocking they found the jam session at Maple Mart.The player character sits at a campfire, where he is visited by a mysterious blue-haired apparition.The player character wanders a street, near a fence, as she looks up toward a multi-level mansion framed against a blue sky with clouds.The hero rides a horse through some fields while a spotted snow leopard follows not far behind them.
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Here are some of the key features you should expect from this latest entry in the long-running series:

  • Massive Open World Exploration - Teradea is a sprawling world packed with diverse regions—from peaceful villages to lush wilderness. Explore maze-like caves filled with ore and gems, uncover nautical charts to reach remote islands, and discover rare collectibles and animals not found anywhere else.

  • Romance & Relationships - Meet and build relationships with 10 unique characters—5 bachelors and 5 bachelorettes. Form deep bonds, experience heartwarming events, and choose your perfect partner to build a life together.

  • Animal Companion System - Travel with a variety of animals, each offering unique abilities that go beyond simple companionship. Use them to reach hidden areas, destroy obstacles like rocks and fallen trees, and uncover secrets scattered across Teradea. Your companions are essential for both exploration and adventure!

  • Campsites & Travel System - The world is too large to explore in a single day! Set up at campsites to rest, recover stamina, and cook meals by the fire. Meet traveling merchants who offer exclusive items you won't find anywhere else.

  • Expanded Player Movement - Jump, climb ladders, and scale vines to reach previously inaccessible areas. Combine your movement skills with your animal companions to fully explore every corner of the world.

  • Power Statue Mini-Challenges - Discover glowing Power Statues hidden throughout the world, each offering quick challenges or puzzles. Free dormant Power Wisps to earn Power Wisp Fruits, then trade them at the Forest Goddess Statue to boost stamina and unlock useful abilities.

Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea is priced at $49.99 on Switch and PlayStation 5, at least at the site I checked. The Switch 2 version apparently includes the Switch version, plus an upgrade to enhance performance on the newer hardware. Happily, it appears to be included on the cartridge itself, rather than offered in the usual game key card format. You wouldn't believe how much that tempts me.