When I first saw this game, I thought it was yet another typical match three puzzler.  I even tried to download it on my iPad first since that’s where these kinds of games usually go.  But for some reason it wouldn’t work on my iPad, either because my device is too old or it needed a patch or something.  But luckily the publishers of this game gave me a review code for the PS4 version, and I’m glad they did because I think this particular game works better on a console, that’s how different it is!  Anyway, in the game you are a regular bunny lady farmer, until one day Mother Gaia comes down and gives you the power to transform into the Princess Farmer (it’s a bit of a Sailor Moon parody, there’s even a Tuxedo Mask character).  Now you are strong enough to lift five vegetables above your head, and harvest them by matching three of the same kind, even if they are underground.  With your newfound strength, you must harvest vegetables around the land to solve the mysteries of the forest.

The main mode is a Story Mode with 9 episodes.  They are a bit short, but the game isn’t TOO short.  The title suggests this is just season one, but we’ll see.  You can play Story Mode by yourself or with a friend in co-op. You can also compete against each other in a separate mode as well.  One neat thing about Story Mode is that you can choose whether the stages will be puzzle based or more action based, or a mix of the two.  In most match three puzzle games, it’s easier to use a touch screen to slide the objects around.  But the way you play here, I think it’s better with a controller.

To play, you’ll move around the top of the playfield while all the vegetables are arranged below.  You can pluck up to five veggies and carry them around above your head, and put them back by pressing down.  You’ll do this to cycle through the rows of veggies to match three of the same kind or more, making them disappear.  Clear conditions change depending on your playstyle, but the better you do, the more hearts you collect.  Spend these hearts at a shop to buy hare dyes and sparkles to change the color of your hair and outfit.

I really liked the pixel graphics and the unique take on the match three puzzle format.  I guess the only problem I have with this game is that there is too much talking in Story Mode.  But depending on what you say, you can make friends with the other characters and they might give you gifts.  But otherwise, this is a great puzzler and I’ve never played a match three game like it.

Kid Factor:

Princess Farmer is rated T for Teen with an ESRB descriptor of Suggestive Themes.  I really didn’t notice anything myself, but I guess some of the text could imply some suggestive stuff.  But I think most of it would go over kids’ heads.  Reading skill is a must for the text, though.

Tags: Game Reviews