The game Harvest Moon – Hero of Leaf Valley begins when the hero, known as Toy, travels to Leaf Valley to collect his late grandfather’s belongings after receiving news of his passing. However, he soon discovers that the entire village is threatened with destruction within just two years, as the Funland Company plans to turn it into a massive amusement park. Amidst this crisis, three tiny Harvest Sprites—Nick, Nak, and Flak—appear alongside the mysterious Harvest Goddess and inform Toy that he has a chance to save the valley, but time is not on his side. He has only two years to perform a miracle, either by restoring the farm to its former glory and earning the trust of the villagers or watching the valley vanish forever.

Thus begins our hero’s journey into the world of farming, working hard and connecting with the villagers in an attempt to save the place that starts to feel like his true home. By choosing different paths, you can discover 16 different ways to save the village. But don’t think the challenge ends after saving the valley before the two years pass—Toy must also earn a certain amount of money before the end of the third year to convince his father, who believes he can’t manage the farm alone, to let him stay and continue his farming journey. This is not just an ordinary farming game, but a full life experience that places you in the heart of a village full of opportunities, challenges, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. The game gives you complete freedom in managing your time. Will you focus on growing crops, raising animals, or choose a completely different path by taking on part-time jobs around the village?

Farming is a core element of the game, allowing you to grow a variety of seasonal crops such as carrots, potatoes, strawberries, and cabbages—each requiring special care and precise timing for harvest. You can also raise animals like cows, sheep, and horses, whose products provide a sustainable source of income. One of the unique features of the game is building strong relationships with the villagers. You can talk to them daily, give gifts, and participate in seasonal events. These aren’t just cosmetic additions—they directly affect the game’s ending, with 16 different possible outcomes based on your actions and relationships. In addition to farming, you can earn money through a variety of side jobs such as mining for rare metals, helping in the bakery to make fresh bread, or chopping wood to improve your farm. This aspect adds dynamic and diverse gameplay, allowing you to play the way you want without being restricted to a single path. As days pass, you can expand your farm, build new barns, and upgrade your tools. Time management plays a crucial role, as you must wisely plan between work, rest, and interacting with villagers. Every minute wasted can be an obstacle in saving the valley. As for marriage, it is only available after saving Leaf Valley, becoming accessible in the third year of the game. Unlike other Harvest Moon titles, having children is not possible in this version.

Although this game is a refined re-release of Save the Homeland, it introduced major improvements that made it surpass its predecessor in many aspects. While Save the Homeland offered a charming visual experience, Hero of Leaf Valley significantly improved graphics with more detailed characters and buildings. Weather effects and lighting added a touch of realism and beauty to the world. In the previous version, options were limited, but in this release, the list of daily activities was expanded—players can raise different types of animals, interact with villagers in more impactful ways, and participate in more seasonal events. One of the biggest enhancements in Hero of Leaf Valley is the addition of 16 different endings based on your playstyle and relationships with the villagers. The previous version had only a few endings, which made the story feel limited, but now every decision you make can change the course of events. So if you’re looking for a game that offers peace and calm yet carries meaningful challenges and goals, this game is the perfect choice.