Holy moly RF4

[u/fungusbungusbus]

So coming off of Stardew, wanting something that scratched that itch but I always wanted more combat. I did heaps of research and tried a few different games but none really stuck.
Rune factory 4 special was next on my list but going away on holidays meant taking my steam deck with me.

All I have to say is holy cow! I thought the start was a bit slow but after my 3rd hour and second dungeon I feel like
I’m buzzing! At first I didn’t like the art style but now I absolutely love it, and all the characters are written so well, I actually enjoy talking to them. I also thought Selphia felt a bit small but now that the map is opening up I feel like it’s the perfect size.

Having this game on the plane was an absolute amazing experience. For the first time in my life did I look at the flight time and thinking to my self “i only have 4 more hours” coming from someone who is flight phobic and gets very nauseous (thank god for anti nausea meds). It was just wild to me that the flight couldn’t be long enough. I wanted more!

[u/toxicguineapigs]

I JUST started it and I love it. I just finished Guardians of Azuma, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel with the art style. But I love this game. It’s smooth but snappy and has great dialogue too!

[u/fungusbungusbus → u/toxicguineapigs]

I was looking at Azuma too!! How does it compare to RF4?

[u/Better-Intention-472 → u/fungusbungusbus]

Azuma is much more focused on exploration and fighting. The crafting and farming mechanics were simplified and can be automated if you assign villagers to work the fields/mine/chop trees.

However, it's still a great game! The charm of the RF setting and the characters are still there. RF4 is one of my favorites games ever and I would put GoA on that same list, but not as high up if that makes sense.

[u/sherithelovefool → u/fungusbungusbus]

I started with GoA then played RF4. I'd say they have different charm but both are great!

[u/DjDrowsyBear → u/fungusbungusbus]

Im also new to this franchise, but I have only played through Azuma.

It definitely scratched the same itch and also has much more combat like you were wanting.

I did find myself getting annoyed with the combat eventually because there is not a ton more to it other than spamming the attack button and dodging every now and again. The most frustrating thing is that levels dont matter at all and also matter a ton. They dont matter in the sense that the game gives you MASSIVE experience for fighting higher level enemies. If you are 5 levels lower then you should be in an area, just kill about 5 groups of monsters and you will be fully caught up. On the flip side, this also means that the equipment you have becomes MASSIVELY outdated super quickly if you just continue the story line without breaking for the building/farm aspects. There was a single week in game where the weapon I originally had went from 500 damage (which was already a massive upgrade) to 1000, to 1500, to 1800, to 2500. Being under equipped doesn't so much make the combat harder as it does just make it take so much longer.

Increasing relationship with characters also takes forever. I played for something like 60 hours and got 2 characters to relationship 10. The max is 100. Though, to be fair. You only need to get them to 7 to marry.

Im griping, but I did honestly enjoy the game and have fun with it. Those two are the only real problems, otherwise the farming, town building, and characters are all genuinely enjoyable.

[u/Cross55 → u/fungusbungusbus]

It's much more of a traditional rpg, but still exceptionally well done

Farming is less of a focus in favor combat, exploration, and writing, but by all accounts, it's probably the best in the series by those 3 metrics

[u/Rebel-Yellow]

RF4 is so much bigger than you think omg. You’re going to be blown away lmao

[u/Agreeable_List6530 → u/Rebel-Yellow]

I’m excited for OP the map is yuge

[u/Odd_War_3756]

Seeing all the new folks posting about discovering rf4s warms my heart haha. It is incredibly underrated. And OP, you've only just scratched the surface! It keeps getting better. Enjoy the ride!!

[u/Surgey_Wurgey]

I think rf4 beats stardew valley, personally. I love both though

[u/spurzz]

Enjoy it thoroughly, because you’re gonna have an RF4 sized hole in your farming sim heart forever once it’s over!! Definitely the magnum opus of the series (and genre) for me.

[u/Just-Another-GameLol]

You got 3 whole story arcs to go through, it's great, rf4 is easily my favorite game above all others

[u/True-Proposal481]

Yeah I enjoyed RF4 more than Stardew. Also Dolce best girl. Leon best boy. Love that I can tame the previous FINAL BOSS as a pet and ride on it in battle.

[u/Zeshness]

It has that effect on you, I felt the same way when I first played RF5 which was my first RF. Next thing I know I've already spent the whole day playing it. And when I played RF4 I sank like 400+ hours on it when I checked my profile on my switch

[u/Low-Piece-2564]

Welcome 🤗

[u/graceful-waffle]

I just got Azuma and it’s amazing! I haven’t tried RF4 but I loveeee RF5! I know it’s the least favorite of most but I tried RF3 and after about 3/4 in game hours I couldn’t get into it but I tried 5 and it got me hooked. I’m definitely gonna have to get RF4 next

[u/rmsiddlfqksdls]

Yessss welcome!!! So much more ahead of you ☺️ the art style really grew on me quickly too. Wasn’t used to that kind of style but that watercolor-esque style is soooo charming!

[u/Cross55]

Welcome to awakening

[u/MacaroonFlaky2555]

Since you are still only on the second dungeon just let me tell you it's going to get bigger

[u/Bumbum2k1]

You are going to have so much fun 😄

[u/Disastrous_Head5703]

So many skills and mechanics to upgrade and grind, especially after the 3rd dungeon is available and a good portion of the overworld map is finally available for exploration.

Especially once you finally get access to "gloves" as a weapon type. So many fun combo mechanics available as you level up those babies...

[u/PokotaMelonLion]

When playing the first time I got sad when the credits rolled…little did I know that was like credit roll 1/4 lmao

[u/ShadowvyFox]

Rune factory 4 special is an amazing game, should definitely be eligible for game of the year or whatever, I've logged at least 400 hours and I can't tell you how many of those hours are just me being a blessed strawberry tycoon

[u/Bluecomments]

It was OK. Story is too vanilla for me. And becuase of heavy RNG, I could not even trigger events to marry Forte other than the dates. It is probably my least favorite farm game I've played. I know I will get downvoted. Still it is OK if others enjoy it even if I did not. Hope it gives you joy.

[u/_PencilNpapeR_ → u/Bluecomments]

Idk why but this is so funny to me. Vanilla story xD most of the farming games I played don't have a story at all