Disclaimer: lu_tfp is not responsible for dead chickens, sheep, cattle, or grandmothers nor responsible for lost dogs (have you checked the kitchen?).
Beginning HM 64
Congratulations on borrowing Harvest Moon 64 from a friend (They won’t ever be seeing the game cartridge again and everyone knows it) or buying your very own copy. If you want to have a normal life for at least the next few weeks, please do not play this game. Otherwise, choose a free game save and start playing!
After choosing your farmer’s name (If you are a girl and have a girl’s name, you might want to select a guy’s name as the farmer is male [we think]), your birthday season (your birthday will always be on the 25th), your farm’s name, and your dog’s name, you will see your character eating at a table. We don’t know what he’s eating. Once you go outside, a very, uh, unusually dressed man will greet you. Despite his appearance, he is the town mayor. If you really want to get a feel for where things are, accept the tour that he offers. If you would rather piss him off (always fun) and have about half an hour Harvest Moon time to work, reject his offer.
The tools you will need for clearing the land on your farm are the hatchet (axe) and hammer (the thing you hit things with). All of the tools you begin with can be upgraded with the amount of work you do. The hatchet can be used every day to chop wood in the forest (see Harvest). Your sickle can be used to cut grass and vegetables, so be careful around your crops! Unless you want poor quality or sick animals, do not use the hammer, hatchet, hoe or sickle around your livestock. Towns people have rather slow nerves and will not feel the impact of your tools/weapons of mass destruction. Also keep in mind that tool use uses energy. A lot of tool use on a rainy or snowy day will cause you to be sick and miss a day that could be used for work (or play).
To plant seeds, you must have tilled soil. To till soil, take out your hoe and stand on the dirt at your farm. To harvest all possible seeds, you will want to make a three by three plot like so:
XXX XXX XXX
Stand in the very center square, equip the seeds, and press B. Use the water can to water the seeds every day until they are vegetables. The water can may be filled in the north eastern corner of your farm. When vegetables are in the process of growing, you wil not be able to water the middle square. After the veggies are harvested, you will be able to water and harvest the middle one.
