Rune Factory dev team reveals why they're bringing Rune Factory 4 to Switch, talks goals for Rune Factory 5

A recent issue of Nintendo Dream featured an interview with Yoshifumi Hashimoto, president and representative director of Hakama Inc., as well as Marvelous game planner Shirou Maekawa. The Rune Factory series was the focus on discussion, and you can check out a couple tidbits below about Rune Factory 4 Special and Rune Factory 5.

Why Rune Factory 4 is being revamped for Switch

We considered how fans have been waiting to hear about “Rune Factory 5” for 7 years now. In that span of time, even some fans might have forgotten just what kind of games these are. So we thought it was a good opportunity, and we created “Rune Factory 4 Special” as a means to reintroduce what “Rune Factory” is as a series, and for the fans who are looking forward to “5”. We feel that the Nintendo Switch is a great way to show off the amazing fantasy lifestyle and gorgeous heroes and heroines. For the Switch version, not only have we updated each character and their 2D counterparts, but we’ve also upgraded all of the animations as well. I’m sure once you see it in TV mode, you’ll realize it’s quite different from “Rune Factory” on the 3DS, and that the big screen really makes the game feel new again. Also, considering we’re reworking that game from two screens to one, we’ve improved the UI substantially and we hope fans will look forward to it.

On goals for Rune Factory 5

Hmm, let’s see… Well, we’ve already decided on the themes and what kind of game it will be. There are a few promises I’ve made that I’d like to incorporate into the game, and as long as I have the appropriate amount of time to get things done, I’m confident this will mature into a fantastic game. I really hope I can make a fantasy setting that when you experience it, it makes you think, “This is so much fun! I wish I could live here!”