Rune Factory 4 Walkthrough, Guide, Gameplay, and Wiki
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Apr 01, 2023
Rune Factory 4 Wiki
Rune Factory 4 is a popular role-playing video game that was initially released for Nintendo 3DS in 2012. Developed by Neverland and published by Marvelous AQL, it is the sixth installment in the Rune Factory series. The game was later re-released as an enhanced version, Rune Factory 4 Special, for the Nintendo Switch in 2019, and PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows in 2021. The game has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay, charming characters, and immersive storyline. According to producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto, the main theme of Rune Factory 4 is "passionate love, sweet marriage," which led to the expansion of dating events and the inclusion of family adventuring. The development team also aimed to make farming a more satisfying experience for players, drawing inspiration from games like Pikmin and Doki Doki Panic. Xseed Games announced in 2013 that they would be localizing the game for North American audiences, with a release date of October 1, 2013. An enhanced version of the game, Rune Factory 4 Special, was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019, featuring new content and technology, and later released for other platforms in 2021. The game publisher Marvelous AQL was pleasantly surprised by the success of Rune Factory 4 in Japan, as it exceeded 150,000 copies sold and became the best-selling game in the Rune Factory series, surpassing Rune Factory 2. The profits generated from the game also exceeded expectations, leading to a 106.7% upward revision of profits for the second financial quarter of 2012.
Rune Factory 4 Walkthrough
In Rune Factory 4, players begin their journey traveling to Selphia with a special gift for a god rumored to reside there. However, an attempted theft causes them to suffer from memory loss and mistaken identity, leading to a series of exciting adventures. Players must navigate through dangerous environments such as caves, ruins, and wild plains filled with monsters while also trying to piece together their memories and save the town from impending doom.
Norad Express
The game begins with the player character on board the Norad Express, traveling to the town of Selphia. At the outset, players can choose between a male or female character and respond to a question about the altitude of the airship. This choice affects marriage options but doesn't have much impact on gameplay. The reason for the character's trip to Selphia is to deliver a gift to the local god, a Native Dragon, but the nature of the gift is unknown.
After a conversation between two stowaways planning to steal the gift, the character is attacked, and players get a brief introduction to combat mechanics. The character's confusion about how the attackers knew about the gift is interrupted when one of the soldiers hits him over the head from behind, causing him to lose his memory and forget his identity. The gift is lost as it falls from the airship, and the soldiers demand to know where it is. When the character can't answer, he is threatened, and one of the soldiers accidentally knocks him off the ship, causing him to fall to the town below.
Welcome to Selphia
The player falls through the air and lands on the back of a large dragon with a blue body and red feathered wings who is not happy to be interrupted from her thoughts. After the surprise of the player's survival, the dragon introduces herself as Ventuswill, the Divine Wind, a Native Dragon, and demands to know the player's name. The player, whose memory is lost except for their name, tentatively answers and explains their situation. Ventuswill and an older gentleman named Volkanon, who comes in shouting for her, believe that the player might be the Prince they have been waiting for. After a discussion, Ventuswill orders Volkanon to prepare a room for the 'Prince' and invites the player to stay in the town to discover clues about their past. Before leaving, Ventuswill reminds the player to keep her softer and less formal side secret and to call her Venti in private. Volkanon leads the player to their quarters and explains the diary and the importance of sleeping in a bed every night. Unable to leave the room, the player goes to bed.
First Morning
Lest wakes up to find Clorica, a butler-in-training, standing beside his bed. She is chronically sleepy and forgetful, but she offers Lest breakfast, which is an Apple Pie that he can eat by pressing "B." Clorica reminds Lest that he needs to eat every day to become stronger and instructs him to leave via the back door to learn how to till a field, as per Lady Ventuswill's orders. Outside, Lest meets Vishnal, another butler-in-training who is excited to meet the Prince but agrees to call him Lest instead. Vishnal explains the basics of farming, including shipping, cooking, and gifting crops, and mentions that crops can also be used as weapons and can grow into dungeons. He also explains that runes can appear when harvesting crops, which increase skills randomly. Vishnal gives Lest a Cheap Hoe, Turnip Seeds, and a Cheap Waterpot and instructs him to till, plant, and water the field. Time is frozen during the explanation, so Lest can pick up all weeds, herbs, small rocks, branches, and grasses without using RP, but he cannot gather stumps and rocks since he has no hammer or axe. New to the game are Broken Stumps and Clay Stone, which provide Lumber and Material Stone, respectively, as well as Mineral deposits and Rune Stones, which provide ores and Recharge Runes. After completing his task, Vishnal asks Lest to name his farm and explains about HP and RP. He gives Lest 9 Turnip Seeds as a gift and informs him that Lady Ventuswill wants to talk to him in the Castle's Dragon Room, which can be reached through the center exit to the South.
An Audience
Lest enters the Dragon Room of the Castle and speaks with Ventuswill about Earthmates, individuals who can enrich the soil through farming. Ventuswill tries to help Lest regain his memory but suggests that he interact with the townsfolk to trigger any recollection. Lest heeds her advice but returns without success. Ventuswill suggests that Lest write a letter to the capital to confirm his identity as the Prince, but before they can continue their conversation, a young man named Arthur D. Lawrence, the 13th Prince of Norad Kingdom, interrupts them. After some confusion, Arthur offers to let Lest take his place as the Prince of the town, which Lest agrees to. Ventuswill then explains Lest's duties as the Prince and directs him to the Request Box outside the Castle. The Box, which introduces itself as Eliza, will allow Lest to fulfill tasks requested by the townsfolk, and as he does, his reputation will increase. Lest's first task is to find the Order Symbol in the Castle, and he is surprised to learn that the Box can talk and that he can understand it.
Princely Power
As Lest returns to the Dragon Room of the Castle, he is instructed by Arthur to head towards a large green and gold sign located on the right side, just before the entrance to his room. However, Lest looks at the sign with confusion until Arthur arrives to discuss his role as the Prince. According to Arthur, the main responsibility of a Prince is to provide guidance that would shape the future of the kingdom. To help Lest understand his duties better, Arthur gifts him with 50 Prince(ss) Points and asks him to try giving an order. Let's check his current Title, which is "Apprentice Prince," and the number of tourists he has drawn to Selphia. Initially, Lest has limited options to give orders, but as the town expands and his Title increases, more options would become available. At present, his only choice is "Development," which provides options for increasing storage and farm facilities. Upon selecting the "Development" menu, Lest discovers an option to increase the size of his backpack from 15 slots to 30 slots. After completing his first order, Arthur congratulates Lest and explains that the Prince(ss) Points system is based on the trust he builds with the people of the town. To reward Lest, Arthur gives him 1000 Prince(ss) Points but cautions that orders do not typically offer this many points. Lest would need these points to fulfill his next request, which is to draw more tourists to the town, a crucial step towards growth. Arthur suggests that Lest order a new festival that can be held as soon as possible to achieve this goal. Lest opens the Orders menu and selects the "Festivals" option, choosing the Cooking Contest on Spring 6, as advised by Arthur. Arthur congratulates Lest again and encourages him to participate in the festival to attract more tourists. Lest inquires about his Title, and Arthur explains that his Title is determined by the number of tourists he draws, and more complex orders become available as Lest advances in rank. As Arthur departs, he reminds Lest to check the request box every day and leaves behind a red chest containing his reward of four Turnip Seeds.
Rune Factory 4 Guide
Here, this guide you through the ins and outs of the game so you can make the most of your time in the charming town of Selphia. To start, you will play as either Lest or Frey, depending on your chosen gender. After a brief introduction to the story, you'll find yourself in the middle of a dungeon, where you'll learn the basics of combat and exploration. As you progress through the game, you'll have the opportunity to farm crops, raise animals, and even court one of the eligible bachelors or bachelorettes in town. You'll also gain access to a variety of dungeons and boss battles, each with its unique challenges and rewards. One of the key features of Rune Factory 4 is the ability to craft and upgrade weapons and armor. You'll need to gather materials from around town and the surrounding areas to create the most powerful gear. You'll also have the opportunity to forge relationships with the various townspeople, which can unlock new quests, items, and events. Whether you're a seasoned Rune Factory veteran or a newcomer to the series, this walkthrough will help you make the most of your time in Selphia. So grab your tools, sharpen your sword, and get ready for an adventure like no other. The game features a variety of different crafting options, allowing players to create their own weapons, armor, and accessories. This adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, as players can experiment with different combinations of materials and enchantments.One of the standout features of the game is the ability to tame and raise monsters, who can then become valuable companions in combat. Players can even ride some of the larger monsters around the game world, making exploration more fun and efficient. The game also has a strong focus on relationships, with players able to build friendships and romances with the various NPCs in town. Building strong relationships can lead to new quests, rewards, and even marriage. Many different festivals and events take place throughout the year, adding even more variety to the gameplay. These events often have their own unique challenges and rewards, and provide a great opportunity to interact with the various characters in town. With its charming characters, immersive world, and addictive gameplay, Rune Factory 4 is a must-play for fans of the farming and life-simulation genres. Whether you are new to the series or a veteran player, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.
Rune Factory 4 Gameplay and Trailer
In addition to the classic features of the series, Rune Factory 4 also introduces new gameplay mechanics such as the ability to tame monsters and have them fight alongside the player. Players can also engage in cooking and fishing, providing additional ways to earn income and improve their character's stats. The game takes place in the town of Selphia, where the player character has been appointed as royalty. The town is home to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own personalities, quirks, and stories to uncover. As players progress through the game, they will also unlock new areas to explore, including dangerous dungeons filled with powerful monsters and rare treasures to discover. The game's storyline is nonlinear, allowing players to pursue their own interests and goals at their own pace. Overall, Rune Factory 4 offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience that combines elements of farming simulation, dungeon exploration, and role-playing game mechanics to create a unique and engaging adventure.
Rune Factory 4 Game FAQs
Despite the game's numerous quality-of-life improvements, Rune Factory 4 is jam-packed with an abundance of activities that may seem overwhelming. The game begins with your character being assaulted on an airship and subsequently rescued by Ventuswill the Divine Wind. After a series of amusing mishaps, you are appointed as a substitute ruler, farmer, and trusted ally to a town filled with unique and vibrant individuals. Here are some FAQs about this game that is commonly asked by players.
Why Are My Plants Withering?
It is important to monitor the various statistics of soil patches in the game. As you harvest crops, the patch's stats will improve, but this will also lead to a decrease in its overall health. To maintain the patch's health, ensure that your fertilizer bin always has a sufficient amount of weeds and grasses. In addition, you can use your hoe on a piece of Corn or Withered Grass placed on top of a patch of soil to quickly boost its health. Alternatively, if you prefer not to micromanage your soil, you can opt for crop rotation. By allowing some fields to go without crops for a while, the soil's health will naturally recover over time.
What Is New In Rune Factory 4 Special?
The Special version of the game introduces several new features:
Are There Time-Limited Events?
You have the freedom to play the game at your desired pace. There is no risk of missing any events by progressing slowly. Additionally, there are four farms that are unlocked seasonally, enabling you to grow crops that match the season, regardless of the actual date. There is no deadline, and festivals are held annually. If you happen to miss an event, such as a birthday or a festival, you can be assured that it will reoccur in the future.
Is There Same-Sex Romance?
The game does not officially support same-sex romance, but some players have discovered a workaround that involves modifying their character's appearance. Upon completing the game or starting a New Game+, you can use Prince/ss Points to alter your appearance to that of another character, including both the male and female main character options. Changing your character's appearance can create the impression that you can engage in same-sex romances. However, since the game doesn't acknowledge this as an authentic gender change, you will still be referred to with the incorrect gender pronouns.
Rune Factory 4 Walkthrough - FAQs
Rune Factory 4 is an action-adventure RPG that blends farming simulation with dungeon exploration and socializing with NPCs.
Rune Factory 4 is available on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Yes, you can choose between a male or female character at the beginning of the game.
No, there is no multiplayer option available in the game.
No, there is no time limit in the game. You can take as much time as you want to progress through the game.