The latest entry in the Harvest Moon series is Harvest Moon: Linking the New World for 3DS, this week’s Famitsu reveals.

Due out in February for 5,040 yen in Japan, the game is produced by Yoshifumi Hashimoto and features character design by Igusa Matsuyama.

The player takes on the role of a male or female farmer in Oaktree Town, where non-player characters like madam Elise, the bright and young Fritz, and the old lady Edda exist. Field work is said to be easier than before, and as you progress through the story, you’ll be able to enter a safari where you can take care of animals. You can also play at the river and fish. Marriage partner candidates, such as Ririe and Lega, are also shown in the magazine.

Tidbits from Famitsu’s interview with Hashimoto follow below.

Among the other farmers there is also a tutorial character. Each farmer has their own personality.

“Linking” also means connecting with the world of the game.

StreetPass will allow you to exchange personal data.

Countries that you can trade with will increase. As will the elements that allow you to ship popular goods and other items wanted in a certain country.

In the safari, connections with wild animals are drawn. There are two times as many wild animals as there were in the previous game.

The basic flow won’t change.

Development is currently 80 percent complete.

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