- Preparing the fields: Before any crops can be planted, numerous weeds, rocks, and tree stumps must be cleared from the ground. You must till the soil before it can be cultivated.

- Farming: Turnips, potatoes, tomatoes and corn on cultivated land, watering it, then harvesting the vegetables and selling them for profit. You can also gather herbs and wild fruit in the forest for sale. A small pond can be fished.

- Raising livestock: chickens and cows, which produce eggs and milk. By planting grass and harvesting it as hay, these livestock can be fed.

- Enlarging the farmhouse: The house can be upgraded twice. Additionally, wood can be used to construct fences around the crop areas.

- Getting married: Five girls in town are potential brides. By giving gifts, visiting on appropriate days, and fulfilling specific "missions" for each specific girl, you can get married and have your wife move onto the farm.

- Having children: Within the game's time frame, it is possible for your wife to bear two babies. Given enough time, one child will develop into a toddler.

- Seasons: Each year has four thirty-day seasons, and you have limited time each day before it becomes dark.

- Tools: You start with basic tools, such as a watering can, axe, hoe, sickle, and hammer. All these tools can be upgraded if you complete certain side quests.

- Special events: At random points in the game, you have the opportunity to take part in side quests that provide benefits. There are a number of events (some scheduled, some not) that break up the gameplay.

• Wikipedia Article on the series
• Harvest Moon's Publisher
• A fair review of the game