Square Enix announced a new game today that combines the fantasy worlds the company is known for with life-sim gameplay.
Harvestella is a brand new life-sim RPG in which players can farm, craft items, and collect materials, all while building their character's life and settlement. While players can live through various seasons like Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, there is a fifth season, Quietus, or the season of Death.
During Quietus, players must do what they can to prevent the Death season from destroying the idyllic lifestyle of their hometown.
Harvestella looks very much like a Square Enix JRPG, with a fantastical world full of creatures, but while combat gameplay might look familiar, the game is also focused on Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon-like mechanics around farming, collecting materials, and building new tools and equipment.
Square Enix's foray into the popular life-sim genre is definitely head-turning, though the company is also experimenting with the genre by adding a Stardew Valley-like mode in Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker.
For more new announcements from today's Nintendo Direct Mini check out IGN's round-up here.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.