"Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar" tested: The new edition of the DS game remains stuck in the past
25/8/2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Cassie Mammone
"Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar" aims to bring a breath of fresh air to the farming simulation genre by focussing on the new weekly market. Unfortunately, this is no longer enough to stand out these days.
When I heard about the release of a new «Story of Seasons» game - the successor series to «Harvest Moon» before 2013 - I listened with interest. The developer studio Marvelous is a veteran in the farming simulation genre. This made me wonder whether the games with their roots in the 1990s could keep up with the flood of creative modern titles.
The answer I received after several hours of play was unfortunately not a satisfactory one. Instead, I am faced with the dilemma of recognising the rock-solid production quality and variety compared to other representatives of the genre. At the same time, I can't sugarcoat the fact that «Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar» bores me beyond belief.
The beginning of a new life on the farm
The premise of «Grand Bazaar» is simple and typical of the genre: I want to start a new life and go to Brisendorf to become a farmer. After creating my character, Mayor Felix takes me by the hand on my first day and teaches me everything I need to know.
As in many other farming simulations and «Cozy» games, I spend my everyday life on the farm and have to earn money while making friends with the villagers.
To do this, I grow vegetables and fruit or look after my farm animals. Alternatively, I scavenge the surrounding area for materials such as (precious) stones and wood. This allows me to improve my buildings or create new items.
The weekly market takes centre stage as a new mechanic
The unique selling point of «Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar» is the eponymous bazaar, which takes place on Saturdays. This is where I earn the majority of my income from the sale of my farm produce
The weekly market works as follows: I bring the items I want to sell. I then choose which of them I want to display on my stall. That way, I arouse the interest of potential buyers. It works even better if I ring my bell at the touch of a button. The sound attracts the attention of even more people.
The buyers queue in front of their desired item, which I sell to them at the touch of a button. Alternatively, a thought bubble pops up above their head, indicating an item from my warehouse that is not yet on the counter. I then have to exchange the item in question as quickly as possible so that no one disappears out of disinterest and I lose money.
While the sales machinery is running, I also collect energy for the nature spirits. They are little helpers who support me time and again - even outside the bazaar. For example, when I have to be fished out of the river because I've accidentally jumped in. As soon as I fill one or more energy bars, I can trigger a special event at the touch of a button to sell even more items even faster.
During a total of two shifts (morning and afternoon shift), I have time to sell my yields for the week. I never get stressed because the two time slots are enough to sell all my goods. I spend the time in between browsing the bazaar as a customer myself. It's not only my source of income, but also my place of choice when I want to buy new farm animals or improve my farm buildings.
In addition, the weekly market is also a topic for the village community of Brisendorf. By selling goods, I can unlock new stalls. This pleases Mayor Felix in particular, but also the rest of the village.
The bazaar brings a fresh weekly rhythm to the farming genre. Selling is no longer just a simple box on my farm, but a real celebration. At the same time, the bazaar has a satisfying progression system that rewards my work at regular intervals. The mini-game in the form of the shifts is entertaining and offers a change from everyday farming - which is a good thing, because if it took longer, the lack of complexity would quickly lead to boredom. The weekly market is a highlight of «Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar».
Despite a good progression system, everyday life remains dull
In addition to Saturday, the week also has six other days - and unfortunately they are far more boring. But let's start with the positives: «Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar» is rock solid in both its presentation and technology. I didn't notice any stutters or bugs on the Switch 2. The graphics are stylised and a matter of taste. If the look in the trailer appeals to you, you'll get the same quality throughout the game.
There's always something to do too. When I'm not busy with my farm, I take part in festivals and explore my surroundings. I mine ores, fish or work with the special windmills in my village, which I use to refine products. For example, I use my cow's milk to make butter, which I can then sell for a higher price or use in recipes. In «Grand Bazaar», I can give away cooked dishes, sell them or eat them myself to regenerate stamina. It is a precious commodity that dwindles a little with every physical action.
The villagers regularly give me jobs to improve my relationship with them. This allows me to get to know them better, unlock new functions for the farm and market and even receive gifts. I can also go in search of the love of my life. I have twelve charming characters to choose from. From the quiet historian Llyod and the well-positioned café employee Maple to the conscientious shrine maiden Kagetsu, there is sure to be the right person for everyone.
I have the same problem with the characters as with the rest of the game: although they are diverse, they can't hold my interest. They lack depth. This is also my problem with «Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar»: I can't fault it for its quality, but I don't really enjoy playing it. The case is not as clear-cut as with the disastrous «Pixelshire», which editorial colleague Michelle tested a few months ago and only gave it one star.
In addition to the superficial characters, there is a lack of variety for me, despite the satisfying progression system. It's important to me that the characters interest me. I also don't like spending most of my time doing monotonous work on the farm. I prefer to plunge into mines or caves full of monsters and experience epic battles from which I emerge victorious with valuable loot. In «Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar», on the other hand, I find rare precious metals with a percentage (!) chance when mining ore - yawn.
The original of the new edition was already mediocre back then
«Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar» is the remake of the Nintendo DS game «Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar» from 2008. During my mediocre experience, I asked myself how the original was received back then. In fact, the general experience at the time matched mine.
On Metacritic, the average rating from the trade press for «Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar» is 68 out of 100 points. In the user ratings, it still scores 8 out of 10 points.
While the game was seen as a rock-solid and good entry point for newcomers 15 years ago, it didn't stand out from the crowd of «Harvest Moon» games even back then. Even according to the more positive reviews, «Grand Bazaar» does too little new for that.
This makes me wonder why «Grand Bazaar» was chosen for a new edition. After all, it has been given some really good changes that seem like wasted potential.
Firstly, there are the elaborate cut-scenes, which are set to music for the first time (normal everyday conversations are excluded). I also get a paraglider exclusively in the new edition, with which I can comfortably cross the village in the air. The handling of the menus has also been sensibly reduced to one screen compared to the DS original with two screens.
«Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar» will be released on 27 August 2025 for Switch, Switch 2 and PC via Steam. The PC version was provided to me by Marvelous for testing purposes.
Header image: Marvelous
In a nutshell
Solid farming simulation, but nothing special
In "Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar", I am transported to Brisendorf. There I go about my daily life as a farmer's wife and prepare for the weekly market. This takes the form of a mini-game and is my main source of income.
The new edition of the DS game is not an unsuccessful game per se. Thanks to the satisfying progression system through the villagers' missions, coupled with the employees on the farm, it creates a successful loop. Unfortunately, I still get bored after a few hours due to the lack of interesting characters and challenging gameplay in the form of dungeons.
This brings me to my initial question: Can the new edition of the classic "Story of Seasons" game keep up with modern farming simulations?
My answer is "no". For less money, a host of indie games such as genre king "Stardew Valley", as well as promising newcomers like "Fields of Mistria", offer customised experiences that have unfortunately overtaken the genre veteran.
Pro
- Rewarding progression system
- Successful crafting system
- Varied weekly market mechanics
- Chic style and solid technology
Contra
- no dungeons
- quickly becomes boring
Cassie Mammone
Freelance Editor
cassie.mammone.freelance@gmail.comI wrote my first text about video games when I was eight years old. I haven't been able to stop since. The rest of my time is spent on my love for 2D husbandos, monsters, my cats and sport.
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