Overview

When upgrading tools, which ones do you recommend focusing on first?

Taka: In my case, I always go for the Hoe so it will help me find the ladders in the mine.

Adam: Like Taka, I focus on the Hoe so I can find the ladders in the mine easier.

Tanaka: Upgrading the Hoe will be my priority. Mainly because various kinds of ores are required for repairing houses, and upgrading the Hoe will do a better job in finding the ladder to advance in the mine.

Sekine: Watering Can is my choice. Because watering crops is an everyday thing.

Nakata: Watering Can! I like growing crops and flowers, and only being able to water one at a time takes far too much time out of the day and is tough…

Suwa: The Watering Can, because not only does it water multiple squares, but it can also store more water so I don’t have to constantly go back to refill it.

Ooshima: Hoe, because it really helps finding the ladder in the mine.

Suzuki: Watering Can is my choice because it really helps with all the watering.

What is your preferred planting style? Rows, checkerboard, or a grid of nine?

Taka: I usually go with rows in the beginning, and as the farm starts to expand, I start to play around like playing Picross.

Adam: I start by planting two rows of three to save some cash early in the game. Once I start making a decent amount of money, I switch to a larger area, especially if I’m trying to grow mutations of something.

Tanaka: I tend to go 3x3, since that is the maximum amount that the player can sow and harvest at once.

Sekine: Four 3x6 (like below) is what I do. Each group will be a different crop. I call it the “England Flag Style”!

Nakata: 3x5, because this area can be watered by the highest upgraded Watering Can.

Suwa: 3x3. Simply because I have the habit of pushing and holding the Action Button.

Ooshima: 3x3—that is the most you can sow and harvest at once.

Suzuki: From the past titles’ habits, I tend to do 3x3.

Are there any tricks to finding the ladders in the mine?

Taka: Nope. I tried many different ways, but I can’t really seem to find any tricks… If I’m lucky, I find it quickly, but if not, I tend to end up digging all around…

Adam: For me, upgrading my Hoe as fast as possible seems to be the best option. You can till a wider area using less Stamina, and you’ll need it on the lower levels of the mine.

Tanaka: The position of the descending ladder is completely random; however, I can say that the ladder won’t appear in the bottom row touching the wall.

Sekine: Go to the farthest square from the ladder, and each time you hoe the ground, think, “Ladder!” and hope strongly in your heart. I know it’s not a trick, but this is what I usually do and it tends to work…sometimes. (laugh)

Nakata: I follow Tanaka-san’s advice!

Suwa: Listen to your heart…and be sure to have enough Bread, so you won’t pass out in the middle of mining.

Ooshima: Not really a trick, but have enough food and be careful not to run out of Stamina.

Suzuki: Not a trick, but I usually start with the ground that is not next to the wall or ore stones.

Any tricks for winning the Fishing Festival? Cooking Festival?

Taka: For the Cooking Festival, I usually try to cook a food that requires higher-quality ingredients. For fishing, definitely upgrade the rod and use bait to lure the fish.

Adam: For the Fishing Festival, using high-quality bait and an upgraded Fishing Rod is key. For the Cooking Festival, try cooking something using the highest-grade crops, Milk, Butter, etc., as possible, as that will give you a better chance at winning.

Tanaka: For the Fishing Festival, use good bait and fish at the beach pier—that is what I always do. In regards to the Cooking Festival, this is not really a trick, but the best thing to do is to take good care of your cows and chickens. This is because the “Legendary” foods require high-quality Milk and Eggs, which in turn score twice more than the normal foods. Also, by using Brown Cow Milk and Brown Chicken Eggs, you will score 1.5 times more than using normal Milk and Eggs. You’ll be able to purchase Brown Cow and Brown Chicken from Sofia’s shop once the lighthouse has been restored.

Sekine: Fishing Festival: Aim for big fish at the beach! Cooking Festival: Use the best-quality ingredients.

Nakata: Fishing Festival: I try to aim for big Tuna! Cooking Festival: I try to gather many rare ingredients before the festival.

Suwa: Fishing Contest: Be calm…relax…and wait for the fish to come to you. Cooking Contest: Gather rare Ingredients!

Ooshima: Fishing Contest: Upgrading the Fishing Rod and preparing rare baits will be key. Cooking Contest: Since the score gets higher each time the food is cooked, I usually cook at least ten times before submitting it.

Suzuki: For the Fishing Contest, upgrade your Fishing Rod, and for the Cooking Contest, prepare as many ingredients as possible.

The lighthouse has been restored. What’s the first thing you focus on next?

Taka: I believe looking for my spouse is what I did, and, at the same time, started expanding the farm.

Adam: Getting married! You’ve had your eye on that special someone the whole game. Why wait?

Tanaka: Getting married!

Sekine: Bring gifts to Melanie every day!

Nakata: Discovering all the mutation crops is what I focus on!

Suwa: I focus on expanding my farm.

Ooshima: Raise affection with everyone and trigger everyone’s event before actually proposing.

Suzuki: Getting married!

Taka Maekawa (Producer/Director)

Adam Fitch (Localization Manger/Editor)

Kunimitsu Tanaka (Planning Director)

Yasunari Sekinie (Contributor)

Eri Nakata (UI Designer)

Takashi Suwa (Programmer)

Toshiya Ooshima (Planner)

Hidemichi Suzuki (Lead Programmer)