Common Gameplay Elements
The gameplay of the Rune Factory series is similar to that of Harvest Moon. For every ten seconds, ten in-game minutes pass. The player can grow crops, using upgradeable farm equipment. However, the Harvest Moon game mechanic of purchasing animals has been replaced by defeating and befriending monsters in dungeons. If a monster is tamed, they help the player in battle, produce goods, or help to tend the crops. The game's combat is in the action role-playing game style.
Like most Harvest Moon games, the player is given a limited amount of stamina, in the form of "Rune Points". Rune Points get depleted as the player performs tasks at the farm or fights using a weapon or magic. The player is given hit points as well. The player can attack with no RP by sacrificing HP. The player can replenish RP by using Runes created by fully-grown crops or potions, while HP can be restored using medicine or healing spells. The town bathhouse restores both HP and RP. If the player runs out of HP while working on their farm, they will collapse and be rescued; however, in Rune Factory and Rune Factory 2, dying outside the town causes game over. In Rune Factory Frontier, Rune Factory Tides of Destiny, and Rune Factory 3, the player will not die while fighting in the caves or ruins.
Crops can be planted in different areas to sell for gold; other activities include mining for metal and minerals, fishing, or collecting food such as milk and eggs from befriended monsters. The player can then spend money and material to buy a variety of upgrades for their house, weapons, and tools.
In addition to their open-ended gameplay, the games possess a linear storyline, which can be furthered by exploring dungeons and defeating certain monsters. Just like in the Harvest Moon series, the main character's relationship with the other villagers increase by talking to them or performing actions that please them, like giving items they like as presents for example, and some of them can even be asked in marriage if their relationship improves enough. Some games of the series requires the protagonist to get married as part of its storyline.
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