Harvest Moon: A New Beginning Progress Topic, also for questions and stuff Options

[Darth-Paper-Boy]

Character information:

Name: Jerome
Skin: White
Face: Normal
Hair: Wavy Perm
Color: Black
Eyes Gold
Gear: Boy's Overalls

Farm name: Beluga
Birthday: Summer 13th
Title: Egg-Stage Farmer

Current Date: Spring 15th
Money: 22329
Animals:
1 Cow, Manilo.

I think that's everything relevant... feel free to add anything I may've missed. Anyway, usually we have a similar topic when everyone's beginning to play a new game. s'fun to talk about experiences and have a place for quick questions to ask other players. Right now, I don't have too many people in town. After Neil showed up to give me my first cow, Iroha showed up a few days later. Hopefully since I have a blacksmith now I can start getting some actual work done instead of just gathering/farming stuff...

[Mizukithepanda]

Well, to start off with stats...

Name: Mizuki
Skin: Yellow
Face: Wide-eyed
Hair: Wavy Perm
Color: Pink
Eyes: Purple
Gear: Work Clothes (the white and green ones)

Farm name: Bastar(d) (Damn six letter limit. In Japanese 'Kurenaida' is only five. >:E)
Birthday: Summer 8th
Title(s): Chick-Stage Farmer
Super Catcher
Butterfly Beginner
Locust Beginner
Novice Cook

Current date: Spring 18th
Money: 23910g
Animals:
2 Cows, Saab and Volvo

Okay, so a few things... I'm really irritated about not being able to buy a chicken yet. The option, along with that tantalizing 5000g price (only in this game...) is just sitting there in Neil's shop, teasing me. B| I need a chicken coop (among many other things) stat. I would've bought a second cow, but I'm kind of hoping that someone new will show up and give me something else to spend my money on.

Iroha is surprisingly adorable. I wasn't sure that she would be, to be honest with you. I'm also a little surprised that they didn't change her name, since they even went so far as to change Nana's name to something stupid in Twin Villages. (But then again, there were a lot of stupid name changes in that game...)

And man, I finally have a hammer! Now I can go smack those musical tree stumps!

I'm also really goddamn sick and tired of catching bugs. I have all of their spawn locations memorized. For example, White Morphos? They only have two spawn locations (so far) - one is by the musical tree stumps and the other is in the Forest Area in the grass right in front of those huge tree roots. I need something else to do with my time. Fishing. Mining. Anything. @.@;

EDIT: Okay, so more things. The Harvest Sprites show up a few days after Iroha does, and completing the first task of one of the primary sidequests in the game opens up a completely useless mushroom springboard. Woo.

However, there is something present throughout this damn game that is raising my hackles so high it's unbelievable and that's the sheer lack of control you get over everything in this game. When can you cook? Only after you get a recipe. Can you mix ingredients and experiment to get new ones? NO. When can I use the magical stumps to open up new areas? Only after you find the proper sheet music. And when can I do that? After Alice hides it! And when is that, exactly? WHEN SHE FEELS LIKE IT, WHICH, GUESS WHAT? ISN'T NOW.

RAGH!

I dunno, man. I just feel like this game is trying to hold my hand and force me to play at its own predetermined pace. I've been playing Harvest Moon games since 1999. I don't need my hand held. >:E

That said, I feel like I should qualify all this bitching with the fact that the game itself is pretty fun. The gameplay's decent and I don't really feel like I'm struggling through the days. I just really wish they weren't handing me everything I need to start with on a silver platter and then forcing me to play at a much slower pace than I normally would. I'm hoping that after I gain the ability to improve the town this will change and it'll be like taking the training wheels off, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Noviwan]

Next Pay check I get a 3ds XL then I will post my information

[Mizukithepanda]

Updated Stats:

Titles:
Chicken-Stage Farmer
Super Catcher
Butterfly Beginner
Locust Beginner
Ladybug Beginner
Crop Beginner
Foraging Beginner
Novice Cook

Current Date: Spring 25th
Money: 40k+
Animals:
2 Cows, Saab and Volvo
Sheet Music: 1, Basic Scale
Blueprints: Architect's House, Newspaper Carrier, All basic farm blueprints.

Oh man, the game is so much better once Rebecca comes to town. If you're like me and you stockpiled rocks, branches, bricks, and soil, then you can probably build at least a couple of things off the bat. What's more her supplies, while certainly not cheap, are affordable with 40000g at your disposal, so whatever you don't have you can probably afford to buy. A number of things are getting built right now, damn it. This town is too empty and I'm not going to wait until tomorrow. >:E

EDIT: I feel like I should mention that Rebecca doesn't sell small materials. You'll still have to get small lumber from small branches or chopping down trees and small material stone from small rocks. Rebecca selling stuff is useful, though, since Tina's house requires 25 regular Material Stone to build, and you can't get that until you get a better hammer.

[Mizukithepanda]

Eh. I'll update my titles later. They give you so many in this game it's retarded.

Anyway, on the first of Summer, Dunhill comes by and starts you on these retarded 'Town Restoration' plans. The first one's pretty simple, since he just wants you to decorate the place with some benches, foliage, and street lamps. The thing is, those street lamps are going to cost you a pretty penny. Rebecca's the only real source of iron at this point and you're going to need thirty pieces of iron. Which, if you buy them all at once, will cost you about 15k. In reality, it's not that much, but it feels like it when you're at 35-50k and suddenly after you buy all that stuff, you're down to about 20-30 or so.

I believe that Fogu actually has a full list of the town renovation plans. I'll have to check on them later.

Oh, also, if you didn't think to hoard honey bees and honeycomb, you're gonna be screwed until Fall. I hoarded enough to make a beehut or two, but I didn't think I'd need five honeycomb per beehut. >.<;

EDIT: Actually, I'm starting over. You need 65 Small Branches for Town Renovation Plans 1 & 2. That'll take me WEEKS to get.

[Mizukithepanda]

Triple posting here, damn. Someone throw an update besides me.

Okay, so... new farm, same character design.

Name: Claire
Skin: Yellow
Face: Wide-eyed
Hair: Wavy Perm
Color: Pink
Eyes: Purple
Gear: Work Clothes

Farm Name: Farron
Birthday: Summer 8th
Titles:
Silkie-Stage Farmer
Apprentice Cook
Expert Catcher
A bunch of minor titles

Current Date: Summer 6th
Money: I'm like, poor. 75 Material Stone costs a lot.
Animals:
1 Cow, Saab
2 Chickens, Sony and JVC
Sheet Music Found: 2
Blueprints: Architect's House, Newspaper Carrier, Salon, Restaurant, Upgraded Tools, others
Town Renovation Plans: Preparations & Construction for TRP #1 complete, Preparations for TRP #2 complete, Construction 90%

Alrighty. Well, I am much happier with this file. I got my farm situated exactly the way I wanted it from the very first day I could arrange things, built Tina's house that same night, befriended both Emma and Iroha, obtained all of the tool blueprints, and built all of the things necessary for TRP#1. As soon as Summer 1st hits, I'll place them and complete it immediately so that I can start building for TRP#2. I already have pretty much everything I need for that anyway - the only thing that will take some time (not much) is shipping 10 Honey. Then it'll be another well-planned hoarding fest until Fall 4th, when I can participate in the Cow Festival.

They're trying to extend my play, I believe, but that isn't going to hold me back much. Right now, I'm thinking that I'll be done with the construction for all five Town Renovation Plans by Summer of Year 2 at the very latest. The only things left will be to participate in/win certain festivals and earn a certain amount of money.

It was definitely worth it to start over. This game is a lot more fun when you're prepared. =w=

EDIT: Okay, so... this is the second time I've noticed a mistake on Cherubae's ANB guide, but... not only does Rebecca sell Copper, the actual final requirement to complete TRP#2 is to make a cow festival possible. So, all you have to have is an adult cow. ....Which you got for free in Spring. Woo. .....Now on to Town Restoration Plan #3 early. \o/

That said, it's entirely possible that you did actually have to compete in the Japanese version of the game. But, fortunately for me, not in the English version.

[Noviwan]

SOON... November 9th is coming...

[Mizukithepanda]

Kay, so... some updates. (I've been playing a lot.)

My character's hair is now in girly pink pigtails thanks to Allen. I'm hoping he gets some more interesting hairstyles in later on. I'm particularly looking forward to a long, curly style.

Titles:
1st Year Novice
Apprentice Cook
Supreme Catcher

Current Date: Summer 14th
Money: 28k
Animals:
2 Cows, Saab and Toyota
2 Chickens (with a third on the way), Sony and JVC
12 Beehives, 5 Honey Bees and 7 Western Honey Bees
Sheet Music Found: 3
Town Renovation Plans: TRP#1 Complete, TRP#2 Complete, Preparations for TRP#3 about 80%, Construction 15%

Okay, so, if you're using the guide on Fogu, there is a rather fatal error in her page on the Town Renovation Plans. Every part where she says that you have to participate in a festival as a requirement, you simply have to make it possible to participate. For the first three plans, this means that you simply have to have an adult cow, an adult sheep, and fifteen villagers. Beyond that, there are no real dates that you have to stretch out your gameplay to accommodate. At this point, I don't know if the TRP portions where you have to win at certain festivals still stand, but I'm going to play as if they do. It'd suck to get caught unaware.

Also, once you start TRP#3, a second side to the village opens up. I have no intention of using it yet, as I still have space in the main part of town that I've blocked off to put new houses. I'm thinking that once I get people where I want them, I'll repave the roads in stones or brick and maybe create some little park-like sitting areas. Being able to decorate and choose where everything goes myself is kinda nice, I have to admit...

Oh yeah, and bees are awesome.

[ClassicTyler]

YOU'RE UPSETTING ME WITH YOUR PROGRESS, MIZUKI.


What would be neat if you guys made a list of what materials you could get where, etc.
That'd help out the ones who will get the game later/those who work on the Wiki.

[Mizukithepanda]

Well, aside from the basic in the foraging area, in the mine, etc. There's not really much to say. The items spawn randomly all over the River, Mountain, and Forest.

A few things I can note are that you need at least 100 Small Branches to complete the plot, and at least five pieces of Honeycomb so that you can make at least a single beehive.

Oh, another thing I can say is that if you're like me and you sorta... smashed your way through the plot a lot faster than you should have, you'll need to find someone to exchange with for wool and yam seeds. The first house on the third Town Renovation Plan requires five wool, and you can't even buy a sheep until Fall of the first year or after you obtain wool somehow for the first time.

Anyway, more progress. \o/

Titles:
2nd Year Novice
Experienced Cook
Supreme Catcher

Current Date: Summer 24th
Money: 40420g
2 Cows, Saab and Toyota
1 Sheep, NASA
3 Chickens, Sony, JVC, and Compaq
12 Beehuts
Sheet Music found: 5
Town Renovation Plans: TRP#1 Complete, TRP #2 Complete, TRP#3 85%

All I have left is to build the Inn, which I'm only a few pieces of Glass Stone shy of, and earn 200000g, which I'll do by tomorrow. Then it's on to Town Renovation Plan #4!

[ClassicTyler]

EEEEE, this is exciting for me to read. I can't wait to get my farm started.

[Mizukithepanda]

Oh man, I've had a loooong night with this. I needed to grow someone else some wheat in exchange for that wool they gave me, and I ended up needing to go back to my first file to do it, so that I wouldn't screw myself over in my main file. (To complete Town Renovation Plan #4 you've seriously gotta ship 30 Yams and 30 Potatoes. It's retarded.) As much as the exchange makes things easier (almost cheating if you ask me...), I like doing everything myself and hate waiting for people. (And oh my god, the Japanese Wi-Fi rooms... now that's cheating.) So, I think I'm going to sleep through my first file, get to Fall of Year 2, buy tons of Yam Seeds, and then ask a friend to act as a middle-man so that I can exchange them to myself. (And how is that not cheating, you ask? I really don't know, but if I have to play through an entire year making no plot progress because of this one stupid thing, I'm going to kill something.)

Also, the Fogu guide lies. (Well, not really. It's probably just a typo.) The Travel Agency takes 120 Material Stone to build, not 20 Material Stone. You will be spending tens of thousands of gold on Material Stone from Rebecca. You don't have an option. There isn't that much Material Stone available in the game unless you stockpile it for years.

Anyway, updates.

Titles: Uh... I stopped paying attention. I got some new ones, though.

Current Date: Fall 5th
Money: 50k+
Animals:
3 Cows, Saab, Toyota, and Ford
1 Sheep, NASA (I'm naming them all after government programs, associations, and laws that use acronyms.)
4 Chickens, Sony, JVC, Compaq, and Acer (I'm naming them after electronics/computer companies.)
And of course, my 12 Beehuts.
Sheet Music Found: 6
Town Renovation Plans: #1 complete, #2 complete, #3 complete, #4 60% complete.

[ClassicTyler]

Awesome. So you're going to be my middle man lol

[Darth-Paper-Boy]

Yeah, I really thought there'd be a specific place to check ALL your titles but I don't really see one. So I'm just getting 'em left and right but never bothering to remember them. Anyway, I haven't been speeding along very well as I'm still regularly playing PSO2 and other stuff.

Current Date: Summer 7th
Money: 50k+
Animals:
2 Cows, Manilow, JefLyn
0 Chickens but I have the coop. I just kinda haven't bothered yet.
Also plenty of stock for bees.
Sheet Music Found: 2. Dunno what actually activates them though, so I'm just kinda going with the flow.
Town Renovation Plans: #1 2/3 complete, #2 complete, #3 complete. For some reason stupid moondrop flowers completely stopped appearing except from stumps and I just need oooone more.

Also, I caught a bunch of mitten crabs in one of my traps. Apparently those're one of the king fish this time so that's kinda neat.

[Mizukithepanda]

Awesome. So you're going to be my middle man lol

If you'll act as mine once you get to that point.

That said, I have absolutely no issues sharing Small Branches, Wool, Wheat, Ores, what-have-you with you guys as long as you need it to move forward with the plot.

I've also been lucky with Platinum in this game, but I'm also notorious for spending as much time as necessary soft-resetting to get exactly what I want from the mines.

Also, Darth. You can check your titles in the Picture Book in the Bookcase. Just click on 'Various Other Data' or whatever it says and all of your titles will be in there.

[ClassicTyler]

Now, if you want to play with each other, do you go to the Friends List in the main 3DS menu and press "Join Game" (like in Mario Kart 7) or do you access friends from the actual game?

[Mizukithepanda]

You access friends from the actual game. Multiplayer in this game is stupid and tedious, but I've found it necessary to use because it's the only way to trade items.

[ClassicTyler]

How tedious? :\

I added your code, by the way.

[Mizukithepanda]

Okay. I'll add yours at some point when I actually turn off the game.

Well, it's tedious because you can only exchange one gift at a time and if you're looking to send multiples of something over to another person or another file you have to go into the multiplayer room, exchange that single item, leave, create a new room and start the process all over again until you've traded all of the stuff that you needed to trade.

Anyway, I'll update with new stats and shit after I take a nap.

[ClassicTyler]

I just got my copy and I'm really liking it. I'll update my stats tonight/tomorrow morning.