I would definitely suggest Rune Factory over the other two. I don't own Harvest Moon, but I do own Rune Factory as well as ToS2.

alright, thanks. i'll look into getting the one for gamcube too then.

STUPID QUESTION: can you use the wiimote + nunchuck for gamecube games, like not the motion control, just the buttons and joystick?

Nope, Gamecube controls only. You'll also need a Gamecube memory card to save data.

i thought as much noname, just wishful thinking thank you for that disheartening bit of news :(

Just gotta add if youre new to RPG like me DotNW is NOT a bad game. It was my first console RPG and I loved it minus lackluster story. Im pretty sure you would like it too.

Ive not no intention of playing this first Im satsfied with DotNW original looks bad compared to it imo. Others will totally disagree but this coming from RPG noob I like it.

You don't have a slight idea of what you're missing...

directed at me or OP?

either way, thanks for the advice. i don't feel like shelling out all the dough for one game. but i also don't wanna not know the whole plot :(

decisions, decisions

For what it's worth, it looks like you don't have a Gamecube, so finding and buying the hardware will add quite a bit to costs. Additionally, it felt like the much better game overall, so playing it before the sequel might spoil you on the sequel. Playing the sequel first will result in spoilers, but plot's not exactly the game's biggest strong suit anyways: you play it for the fun combat.

Symphonia was good, but if you skip it, it won't be the end of the world. Plus you can take the saved money and buy other good RPGs on several systems, including the Wii, so don't worry about it too much.

thanks again noname. i'll just go ahead with my original plan and get DotNW, and save for LKS

you're like a freaking videogame genius!