Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland

Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland, a 2001 farm life simulation title in the Story of Seasons series, casts the player as a 21-year-old man (default name Toy) who inherits his late grandfather Tony's farm. Upon arrival, he meets three Harvest Sprites—Nic, Nak, and Flak—and the Harvest Goddess, who ask him to stay and help. The town faces demolition within a year to make way for a resort and amusement park. The player's goal is to save it by befriending villagers and aiding their personal quests, with the outcome depending on whom he assists. Success preserves the town.

Gameplay centers on finding one of nine ways to save the village before the year ends, each tied to a different villager's quest, such as digging for treasure or gathering magical ingredients. After an ending, players can restart the year, keeping money and animals, to pursue another outcome. New endings are saved to an Endings List, unlocking villager profiles. As in other Harvest Moon games, players tend crops and livestock, but marriage and parenthood are absent. A dog and horse are adoptable; the horse speeds travel, and the dog can be trained to herd cows. Cows and chickens may produce golden eggs or milk, used in cooking, as gifts, or for profit.

The game received "generally favorable reviews" per Metacritic. NextGen's Eric Bratcher called it "a wonderfully charismatic, unique title that every gamer should play, though your mileage will vary with your patience." Famitsu scored it 31 out of 40. GamePro's Bro Buzz wrote, "What's not to like about a solidly constructed RPG that encourages you to make friends, be kind to animals, and save a village?" An enhanced remake, Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley, was released for PlayStation Portable on March 19, 2009, with major changes.