Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is one of the best farming simulation games ever made. Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, this title is a remake of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, with improved features and modern enhancements.
Plot
Your new journey begins in Forgotten Valley, a serene village where your father once tended the land alongside his dear friend, Takakura. Here, you will befriend kind-hearted villagers, embrace the rhythms of nature, and continue the legacy your father left behind, cultivating the soil, raising animals, and finding joy in the simple beauty of rural life.
Through the turning of the seasons, you will one day meet your lifelong partner, nurture a family together, and watch your child grow before your eyes.
When the day’s work is done, the valley opens its arms to you, cast your line into quiet waters, delve into hidden mines, or share warm conversations beneath the setting sun.
As the years pass, your child will come of age and choose their own path. Will they inherit the farm and walk in your footsteps? Or follow their heart to distant dreams? Only time holds the answer.
This lovingly reimagined version brings fresh stories to discover, livelier festivals to celebrate, a richer cooking experience, and bountiful harvests that outshine even the original.
Farming
Farming is a core aspect of this game. At the beginning, you will have two basic plots of land with poor soil quality and five basic tools to manage them.
You can use your tools to grow a variety of crops on these fields.
We recommend using the plot next to the chicken coop for planting fruit trees, as its soil is less fertile for seasonal crops.
Meanwhile, the adjacent plot has better soil quality and is ideal for seasonal planting. For more farming strategies, see the guide below:
Livestock
At the start of the game, you’ll have one cow and a pet dog.
Livestock produce goods that can be sold, while pets can assist with farm tasks.
For example, if trained properly, the dog can help herd animals back into the barn.
In addition to cows, you can raise sheep, chickens, goats, and other types of cattle.
- Caring for Livestock and Poultry
- Pet Care Guide
- How to Get a Goat
- How to Get Animal Feed
- Processing Room
- Animal Product Sell Prices
If you’ve built the Processing Room, you can turn milk into Cheese and Butter, which sell for higher prices than raw milk.
Crops
No Story of Seasons game is complete without crop cultivation. You can grow a wide variety of crops and fruit trees on your farm.
Seeds are available for purchase at Vesta’s Farm. They sell standard B-rank quality seeds, but there are ways to improve the quality.
Our guide includes tips on improving crop quality easily, as well as using the Seed Maker to produce your own seeds.
With help from Vinnie, you can even create entirely new crop hybrids!
Marriage Candidates
Marriage is a key element in SoS: AWL. You can form a relationship with one of the eligible candidates, leading to marriage and having a child.
There are eight marriage candidates: four women and four men. Each candidate has romantic heart events that are triggered by meeting specific conditions.
Don’t forget to give them gifts they love to increase their affection.
Female Candidates:
Male Candidates:
And…
Relationships
Building friendships with villagers is fun and rewarding. Learn their personalities, give them their favorite gifts, and raise your Friendship Points (FP).
Some characters will even give you gifts if you become close friends.
Other Activities
Beyond farming, you can also enjoy fishing, mining, and cooking using a wide array of recipes. There’s always something new to do!
- Cooking Guide
- Recipe List
- Fishing Guide
- Mining Guide
- Random Events
- Music Record
- How to Get the Alarm Clock
- How to Get a Free Seed Maker
Villagers
There are 39 characters in SoS: AWL, including the protagonist, eight marriage candidates, three harvest sprites, and many regular townsfolk.
Notable villagers include:
- Baddoch
- Carter
- Charlie
- Chris
- Cole
- Daryl
- Flora
- Garret
- Gavin
- Gary
- Hugh
- Kate
- Lou
- Mukumuku
- Nina
- Pui
- Romana
- San
- Sebastian
- Sully
- Takakura
- Tei
- Van
- Vesta
- Vinnie
Game Information
Development
The game was first announced during the Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2022. On the same day, the Japanese official site launched with character and gameplay information.
Marvelous confirmed the Western release for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam during Summer 2023.
This is the first title directed by Rika Hoshina, the first female director in the series. The project planning began in Spring 2020, with development starting in Fall 2020.
Features
- Over 70 new events
- Ability to choose your protagonist’s gender: Male, Female, or Non-binary, with matching pronouns
- Same-gender marriage and parenting options
- Raise up to nine types of animals
- Farm, find love, and build lifelong memories in this reimagined farming simulation
Key Highlights
- Build Relationships: Discover the charming townsfolk through new heartwarming events
- Customize Your Farm: Grow crops, raise new livestock, create hybrids, and upgrade your facilities
- Live Your Way: Be who you want—male, female, or non-binary—and marry whoever you choose
- Raise a Family: Watch your child grow and choose their future path
- A Beloved Story Reimagined: With updated visuals, animations, and features for a new generation
- Modernized Farming: Refined farming mechanics bring new life to a classic experience
- Beyond Farming: Help villagers, complete requests, and enjoy the many events of Forgotten Valley