# **Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – A Daring New Chapter in the Franchise**

The *Rune Factory* series has consistently been a cherished franchise among enthusiasts of farming simulation and RPG adventure titles. With its distinctive fusion of life simulation, relationship development, and dynamic combat, the series has established a niche that keeps capturing the hearts of players globally. Now, developer Marvelous is steering the franchise towards an exhilarating new path with *Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma*, slated for release on **May 30, 2025**, for **Nintendo Switch and PC**.

Recently, **CGMagazine** had the privilege of visiting Los Angeles for an exclusive hands-on preview of the game, alongside a discussion with **Hisashi Fujii**, the game’s producer. Fujii, renowned for his contributions to *DEADCRAFT*, is infusing new concepts into the *Rune Factory* series, unveiling **village-building features**, **novel adventure elements**, and **enhanced gameplay** that enrich the overall experience.

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## **A New Horizon for Rune Factory: Village Development and Customization**

One of the most noteworthy transformations in *Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma* is the transition from **basic farming mechanics** to **comprehensive village construction**. In earlier games, players concentrated on managing a farm, cultivating crops, and selling them for profit. While farming continues to be a pivotal aspect of the game, players now possess the capability to **design and personalize entire villages** from the foundation up.

As per Fujii, this new component enables players to **strategically position buildings** that not only influence the visual appeal of their village but also **affect gameplay mechanics**. For instance, establishing a **restaurant** and designating a villager to oversee it can generate **passive income**, minimizing the need for constant manual effort. This broadening of the core gameplay loop introduces a **new layer of complexity** to the series, emphasizing resource management and town development just as much as farming and adventuring.

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## **Balancing Agriculture, Village Construction, and Adventure**

With the addition of village-building features, one may question how *Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma* harmonizes its **farming, town management, and adventure components**. Fujii clarified that these three elements are **interlinked**, ensuring that players can effortlessly navigate between them.

– **Farming**: Players can continue to cultivate crops, which can be utilized in **recipes** to prepare food items that offer **healing and enhancements** during combat.
– **Village Construction**: Building certain structures and assigning villagers to tasks can **boost character stats**, easing the adventuring process.
– **Adventure**: Navigating the realm of **Azuma** and facing adversaries rewards players with **resources** to enhance their village and farm.

This interwoven system guarantees that **no single facet of the game feels disconnected**, fostering a **cohesive and immersive experience**.

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## **Sacred Treasures: A Fresh Perspective on Traditional Tools**

One of the most captivating additions to *Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma* is the **Sacred Treasures**, a collection of unique tools that substitute conventional farming equipment. In prior games, players wielded a **sickle** to harvest crops and obtain superior seeds. Now, this task is managed by a **sword**, one of the Sacred Treasures.

This modification signifies the game’s **heightened emphasis on adventure**, melding combat mechanics with farming in a way that feels organic. Fujii highlighted that even while the **core functions remain comparable**, the **tools themselves have progressed**, providing a renewed perspective on familiar gameplay mechanics.

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## **Relationships and Combat: Fostering Bonds for Battle**

A hallmark of the *Rune Factory* series is its **relationship-building system**, which enables players to **befriend and romance NPCs**. In *Guardians of Azuma*, this system has been augmented to **directly influence combat**. Players can **recruit up to six NPCs** to accompany them in battle, and as their **bond level rises**, these characters unlock **new skills**.

– **Initial interactions** consist of basic conversations.
– **Increased bond levels** unlock supplementary activities, such as going on outings.
– **Romantic connections** introduce even more interactions, incorporating **hand-holding and deeper dialogues**.
– **Stronger bonds** enhance NPC combat effectiveness, making them more formidable in battle.

This system guarantees that **relationship-building is not merely a side activity** but a vital aspect of both the **story and gameplay**.

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## **Villager Assignments: Selecting the Right Person for the Task**

Another thrilling feature in *Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma* is the option to **assign villagers to particular tasks**. However, not every NPC is equipped for every job. Some villagers excel at **farming**, while others are better suited for **mining or woodcutting**.

Fujii explained that **selecting