New Rune Factory for PS3, Wii

A new entry in the Rune Factory franchise is heading to PlayStation 3 and Wii early next year, publisher Marvelous Entertainment has announced.

According to Siliconera, Rune Factory: Oceans is being developed by Shining Force mainstay Neverland Co. Unlike past Rune Factory games it sees you take to the high seas in search of adventure.

It's unclear how this new nautical theme will incorporate the series' traditional farming element. Lobster pots? Oyster farms? Algae harvesting? Who can say?

Battles will be in real-time and a giant beast called Ymir will feature prominently. You'll need to climb onto his back to explore your surroundings.

Marvelous has confirmed that there will be two playable characters: Azel and Sonia. You'll control both to begin with before choosing one for good later on in the game.

The PlayStation 3 version will be Move compatible.

The last game in the Harvest Moon spin-off franchise, Rune Factory Frontier, arrived on the Wii earlier this year. Eurogamer's Dan Pearson deemed it first-rate produce, awarding it 8/10.

Rune Factory: Oceans is out in Japan on 24th February 2011. We've asked UK publisher Rising Star Games for a UK date.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ry-for-ps3-wii