This Incredible Cozy RPG by Square Enix Deserves a Sequel Now More Than Ever

by

Cozy games are becoming incredibly popular. What started as a small group of games focused on farming and life simulation has grown into a huge market with many different types of games, including role-playing adventures, crafting games, and story-rich experiences. I especially love when cozy elements are combined with other genres, and one of my favorite games, created by Square Enix, did this perfectly. It wasn’t just about farming or making friends; it also included exploring dungeons, fighting battles, and a really compelling story. Despite all that, it didn’t get the recognition it deserved.

Released on November 4th, 2022, Harvestella was more than just a new game for Square Enix – it marked their first foray into the increasingly popular “cozy” genre. The game uniquely combined the relaxing elements of farming simulation with action RPG battles and an engaging fantasy story. As we potentially enter a new era of Nintendo consoles and cozy games continue to grow in popularity, now seems like an ideal time for Square Enix to consider a sequel. Harvestella already offered a compelling blend of RPG depth and emotional storytelling, and a follow-up could build on these strengths to create something exceptional.

Harvestella Was a Unique RPG That Never Got Enough Attention

When Harvestella came out in 2022, many players thought it would be a typical farming game like Stardew Valley. It did start with familiar elements – planting crops, cooking, fishing, and building a life in a village. But it quickly became clear that Harvestella was much more than that. Instead of being a purely relaxing experience, the game focused heavily on RPG elements, including a deep story and action-packed combat. Players could explore a large world, battle monsters in real-time, learn different character classes, and solve the secrets behind the world’s shifting seasons.

Harvestella stood out from other farming games by blending calm, everyday tasks with a compelling and dramatic storyline. The game’s unique world, threatened by a deadly season called Quietus, created a sense of tension you don’t usually find in relaxing RPGs. This contrast – peacefully growing crops one minute and facing dangerous challenges or uncovering the mysteries of a world in decline the next – made the game particularly memorable.

What struck me most about Harvestella was how genuine it felt. Square Enix didn’t just make another farming game; they clearly put a lot of heart into it. The music, art style, and characters all combined to create a surprisingly emotional world, and many players, myself included, became really invested in the story. While it might not be as complex as a Final Fantasy game, it captured a similar feeling that I love about Square Enix’s classic series.

A Sequel Could Greatly Expand the RPG and Farming Systems

Though Harvestella was a solid game, there’s a lot of potential for a sequel to build on. Many of the game’s existing systems could be improved and expanded. The combat, in particular, has a lot of room for growth. While the original offered various job classes and fast-paced action, battles could sometimes become repetitive. A sequel could make combat more engaging with deeper combos, greater customization options for your team, more diverse enemies, and more epic boss fights.

The game could offer more variety and flexibility in farming. Adding seasonal changes, larger farm sizes, customizable homes, more crafting options, and the ability to play with friends would all be great additions. Players who enjoy relaxing games love to personalize their experience, so giving them more freedom to design their farms and homes would make the game even more enjoyable and encourage them to play again and again. It would also be fantastic to see more focus on activities like fishing, animal care, and building relationships with the characters in the game.

A new Nintendo Switch, often referred to as the Switch 2, could be a significant upgrade in terms of technology. The original Switch sometimes struggled to run smoothly, and a sequel built for more powerful hardware could offer bigger game worlds, better graphics, and more detailed scenery without losing the peaceful feeling players enjoy. This would allow the game to attract a wider audience, stand out from competitors like Harvestella, and ultimately gain more popularity.

The Cozy Elements and Relationships Could Become Even Better

One of the best things about Harvestella was its characters and the emotional connection you felt while playing. Building relationships was already important in the game, but a sequel could really focus on this aspect. Adding more varied conversations, lively town events, expanded romance options, and deeper connections with your companions would make the world feel even more immersive. Games focused on creating a cozy atmosphere succeed when players truly care about the characters and communities, and Harvestella was already well on its way to achieving that.

The game’s daily routine was really effective. After each adventure, coming home to cook, farm, and chat with people in town felt rewarding. This mix of exciting exploration and relaxing activities is a big reason why cozy RPGs are so popular – players like being able to accomplish things without feeling overwhelmed. While some games in this genre can be too demanding, Harvestella let me play at my own speed and never felt stressful.

I really hope a sequel takes the seasonal stuff even further! The first game already had a great feel for the changing seasons and the whole Quietus thing, so imagine if they really expanded on that. I’d love to see festivals, towns that actually change over time, and dynamic weather. Plus, if my choices really impacted the world and the people in it, that would be incredible. They could tell one big story, but also really focus on the little stories happening in each town with all the different characters – that would make the world feel so much more alive and immersive.

The first Harvestella game was successful, proving there’s a demand for this kind of relaxing RPG. It did particularly well on the Nintendo Switch, so a sequel is coming at a great time, as people start looking forward to the new Switch 2 console. With more features, better graphics, and more in-depth character interactions, a new Harvestella could become one of Square Enix’s best modern RPGs and really stand out in the cozy gaming genre.

Read More

2026-05-17 20:12