Rune Factory 3 Special

Rune Factory fans are eating well this generation. Not only have we seen the release of Rune Factory 5 finally, but Rune Factory 4 and now Rune Factory 3 have gotten remakes. These 3DS and DS exclusives respectively have managed to make their way to the Switch, and in 4s case, other consoles. The question is though, with Rune Factory 4 Special and Rune Factory 5 already on the console, is there much point in going back to 3?

Rune Factory 3 Special may lack quality of life features found in recent entries but offers perhaps the best cast of characters in the series with crisp visuals and an addictive gameplay loop.

The real draw here is simply the ability to play Rune Factory 3 on a console that doesn’t have ‘DS’ in its name—about 90% of the experience is exactly the same as the original, and that remaining 10% doesn’t exactly cover a whole lot. Luckily, Rune Factory 3 is and always was a great farm sim/RPG hybrid, and it’s something that we can still easily recommend to new and returning players alike. That said, if you fall into the latter group, we’d encourage you to consider carefully how much you want to shell out to replay this on modern hardware. It’s a great game, but it’s effectively the same th...

While it may not have all the whistles and bells of Rune Factory 4 or 5, this delightful remaster of 3 is a welcome addition to the continued trend of bringing back older enjoyable titles for more to get their hands on. It's well worth playing and sinking a good amount of time into, especially for those who love completing every last element of simulation titles and being offered a meaty challenge for them to take on. Anyone who loves Rune Factory will want to pick up 3 Special, and this is a welcoming and accessible title for anyone who hasn't ever played one before and wants to give it a try...

Rune Factory 3 Special brings a fan favourite entry into the modern era relatively untouched, for better or worse.

A decade-old entry in the Rune Factory series receives a port to modern systems. A little bit of spit and polish help an already excellent title shine a bit brighter.

Grab your best dual blades and accessories then let's venture into the ruins in the new special edition of Rune Factory 3.

Rune Factory 3 Special is a great remaster of a fantastic farming sim that runs wonderfully on the Steam Deck.

Rune Factory 3 Special is a well-done remaster that gives new life to an older game. While nothing sticks out as entirely revolutionary, that doesn’t stop the experience from being an enjoyable one.

Rune Factory 3 Special is a reminder of why the series is so near and dear to my heart, but also less of a remaster and closer to a port with a few upgrades sprinkled on top. The visuals are much cleaner and higher resolution. The new dub is good, but you can barely hear it over the chiptune music. This is still a great game, but with less than the bare minimum of quality of life added.

However, for the cost of a modern game, a lack of current mechanics, updated diversity, and limited character options leave the player wanting. There is something about these limitations that is particularly glaring in this title, and many may find the lack of choice frustrating when picking up the game.

Rune Factory 3: Special is an HD remaster of a game in a nearly 20 year old series of farming simulators. While fans of the farming genre will find many familiar mechanics, and a heightened focus on the romantic life of the main character, there isn't enough here to help the game stand out in a crowded market.