Nintendo has a solid lineup of exclusives coming this year for the Switch. Many of these include highly anticipated games, such as Bayonetta 3, Kirby and the Forgotten Lands, and the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. One Nintendo Switch exclusive in 2022 that has some fans excited is the upcoming Rune Factory 5. The game was originally revealed in 2020, being a sequel to the last game released almost a decade ago. A new trailer was uploaded that highlights some important aspects of Rune Factory 5's story.
Rune Factory 5 is a life simulation game, much like the franchise that it is spinning off of, Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, with a heavier focus on RPG mechanics along with other staple elements of the genre. This includes being able to fight monsters, or tending crops and befriending villagers. This latest entry in the franchise sees the players settling into the town of Rigbarth, with a new adventure awaiting them.
The protagonist of the game starts off with amnesia, where they end up in the small town of Rigbarth, where it is blessed by nature. They have a gift according to a voice heard throughout the trailer, where they have the goal of uniting the town. Players can participate in a variety of activities in Rune Factory 5, which do include fighting monsters and farming the land. However, the hero can also be seen riding a tamed monster through the plains, as well as fishing by a river.
The trailer goes on to show other features of Rune Factory 5, most of it revolving around the nature and wildlife of the town. This includes an entire seasonal cycle, where it can change between Spring, Fall, and Winter as the game goes on. There's also a variety of townsfolk that the player can get to know, as highlighted in the trailer. These NPCs can help the player, as they can unleash powerful combination attacks in battle.
The main goal of the game according to the voice heard in the trailer is for the hero to bring balance between the forces of good and evil. Some of these can be seen in the overworld that the players explore in Rune Factory 5, such as a grassy field or an icy cavern. There will also be some big boss fights that can be fought, including a giant dragon and wooden golem.
Rune Factory 5 will launch March 22, 2022, on the Nintendo Switch.
