Harvest Moon 64 is one of those games where you start off thinking, "Okay, just a little farming," and then suddenly it's 2 AM and you're still trying to figure out if your chickens like you enough to lay better eggs. You get this tiny, overgrown farm at first—clearing weeds feels endless, but once you plant your first turnips and watch them grow, it’s weirdly satisfying.

The town’s full of characters who actually have personalities, not just generic NPCs. Karen at the supermarket is always grumpy, Popuri’s obsessed with chickens, and Cliff’s just trying to survive. You can actually build friendships (or even get married) by remembering their favorite gifts—though I definitely messed that up a few times early on.

Seasons change everything—what you plant, what festivals happen, even how the town looks. Summer’s all about watermelons and beach trips, while winter’s basically "survive until spring." And yeah, the festivals are a highlight—egg hunts, cooking contests, even a weird cow race. It’s cozy, but there’s always something to do, whether it’s mining for ore or just petting your dog.

If you like games where progress feels earned and the world actually reacts to you, this one’s still a gem.