Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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For many longtime fans, Rune Factory earned its charm by blending the cozy farming elements of STORY OF SEASONS with RPG-style combat and storytelling. Over time, however, the series transitioned into 3D third-person gameplay, as seen in Rune Factory 5 and Guardians of Azuma. While this evolution brought a fresh perspective, those who miss the classic 2D top-down style of Rune Factory 1–4 may have thought that era was gone for good—until now.

In an exciting turn of events, two key creative minds behind the beloved series have reunited. Shinichi Manabe, director of Rune Factory 3 and 4, and Takanori Tsuji, the scenario writer for both titles, have founded a new indie studio called ManaGames and officially announced their debut project: Farnia Village, now live on Kickstarter.

Farnia Village follows a protagonist who awakens in a mysterious village with no memories except their name—a premise that instantly feels familiar to Rune Factory fans. From there begins a new life: rebuilding memories, teach a mysterious girl what it means to "enjoy" a meal, repaying the townsfolk who helped you, and slowly becoming part of the warm, welcoming community.

The gameplay brings back the nostalgic feel of classic Rune Factory, featuring farming, cultivating Mana Trees that fuel the player’s abilities, and an intricate social system filled with festivals, friendships, romance, and marriage. Players can take on requests through the community board or receive handwritten letters from villagers right at their mailbox. You’ll also explore caves for mining, monster battles, and hidden treasures. Monsters can be tamed and raised to assist on the farm or produce materials like milk and wool. Additional features such as cooking, blacksmithing, and the “Recipe-Nuts” system—where eating items grants new customizable recipes—further echo Rune Factory 3’s beloved mechanics.

As you keep the village safe, more merchants and travelers will arrive, expanding your world and opening new possibilities. Your choices will shape your story—will you be remembered as the village’s hero, or will you succumb to darkness?

One major addition sets Farnia Village apart from its predecessors: the introduction of mysterious ruins whose layouts and monsters change with every visit, adding a roguelike twist reminiscent of Silent Hope.

Visually, the game looks stunning. The project features artwork by benitaman (known for Yumia’s Atelier, Atelier Marie Remake, and Silent Hope), along with kannnu and BOKI Simole as character designers. The soundtrack is composed by Morita from Studio Qareeb, who also contributed to past Rune Factory titles during the Neverland era.

Farnia Village is currently targeting a 2028 release for PC, with potential expansions to other platforms such as Nintendo Switch, given its lightweight and optimized design. Interestingly, its Kickstarter campaign—launched just recently—has already reached half of its initial $17,000 USD goal, signaling strong enthusiasm from fans yearning for a return to classic 2D Rune Factory gameplay. Are you one of them?

Source : Kickstarter - kickstarter.com/projects/1005170304/farnia-village

Farnia Village / ファーニア村で暮らす
2028
PC (and other platforms — TBA)

#FV #RuneFactory #RF #RF3 #RF4 #FarniaVillage #ファーニア村で暮らす