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Saturday, September 25, 2010

Creating Symphonies in Colour and Needy Neighbours






Screenshots of different Farms in Lovely Farm: A Small Farm with Red Pappers, another farm with Cucumbers and Watermelons growing together. Violets in the second stage of growth, before they bloom fully and on the same farm, Grapes and Blackberries growing together.

One of the reasons I enjoy Lovely Farm so much is the variations in the Crops at different stages of growth. The Seeds all have unique shapes and colours. In the first stage of growth, many vegetables actually produce flowers of a different colour from the final Crop.

As each Crop has a different growth speed, results can be planned carefully if you have the determination and mathematical agility to do so, or you can be surprised by the different results that 'Nature' creates as some of your Crops bloom while others mature fully on your Farm.

Creating patterns is easier than planning colour bursts but is equally rewarding. I have seen extraordinary patterns and colour combinations on the Farms of my Neighbours. I have developed an intense appreciation of colours that I never liked particularly in the past.

My own favourite colours are purple and pink. As I have been working hard on rather detailed Guides for Harvest Moon's Grand Bazaar for DS, I have had to give up any idea of growing Violets currently as they mature in only four hours. Instead, I have chosen the Purple Grapes as my regular Crop. The closest to purple with a slow growth period was the Blackberry. When it matures, its berries are almost black but are gorgeous in juxtaposition with the Grapes. What surprised and delighted me, however, were the blooms it produced halfway to maturity. Each is a trio of small pink flowers that blends beautifully into a landscape dominated by grapevines.

I never would have considered Watermelons to be extraordinarily beautiful until I saw them on a farm growing with Cucumbers. Both produce yellow blossoms and both require a full day to mature. When they mature, the combination of green on green is truly amazing.

The shapes of some of these Crops makes me think of Tiffany designs. Each is a little exquisite jewel, brilliant in colour, detailed in form.

There is a point in Lovely Farm when you cannot expand your Field any further, either because you have reached the limit or because you are unwilling or unable to invest 'real' money in the game.

Some of my Neighbours at high levels have been discouraged when they reached this point but I think that the new Crops that are unlocked at each level provide sufficient incentive to continue with the game. I personally long to reach the Level where I will be able to grow Orchids... and Roses...

This brings me to a very important consideration in Lovely Farm. Players at low levels obviously need Neighbours and Gifts from those Neighbours, but they often fail to realise how much the High-Level Neighbours need THEM. At low levels, there are fewer Crops and Items unlocked for use and Coins may be difficult to earn at first, but Levels increase rapidly, requiring fewer points. At high Levels, an enormous number of points must be attained before one can reach the next Level. If players stop sending Gifts to their Neighbours who are at high levels, they do those Neighbours a disservice.

What can you send the Neighbour who has everything? Obviously, the best Gift is the one with the highest XP Gain. Ordinarily, the Gift that you unlocked most recently in your own game will be the one with the highest XP value in terms of Free Gifts. Gifts that cost money tend to be even higher in XP value.

When in doubt, send your Neighbour a Message to ask what Gift he/she would prefer to receive from you. When a player has over 50 Neighbours, the ones that actually make the effort to communicate are the ones that are most likely to receive Milk Cows in return!

It is really too bad that one is limited to 15 Free Gifts per day for Neighbours. When you first start to play the game, you probably will find it difficult to find ten players to be your Neighbours, let alone 15 but later, especially if you have achieved high levels, new Players will beg for your Friendship as every one appears to know that the Milk Cow, the last Gift to be unlocked, is the one that is most useful for EVERY ONE.

One always is tempted to help the new players but at the same time, I wish to be loyal to the players who helped me and who continue to send Gifts faithfully. One way to do this is to send a Paid Gift such as a Rose Bush to Neighbours after one has exhausted the 15 Free Gifts. A Rose Bush costs 500 Coins and is worth 50 XP. Although a Peach Tree is worth 75 XP and a Milk Cow is worth 100 XP, they both are Free Gifts and therefore limited to a total of 15 per day. For players who have no space for any new items, the Rose Bush sells for more than either the Peach Tree or the Milk Cow, so in that sense is not an inferior choice.

Actually, the three types of Roses unlocked at Level 7 have an even higher XP value as well as Coin Value. Blooming White Roses, Blooming Pink Roses and Blooming Tea Roses each have an Experience value of 60 XP and can be sold for 60 Coins. I believe that most players are like me in that they would prefer to try to squeeze another display of Roses onto their Farms than sell it. The beauty of the Roses and Rose Bush is that each occupies only a single square, so even players who have little space usually can fit one onto the land somewhere.

By alternating between Rush Bushes and Milk Cows or Peach Trees, one can try to help as many Neighbours as possible on a regular basis.

Then there is the Peacock. The Peacock is my favourite Gift by far in Lovely Farm. Even though I have quite a few of them, I never cease to be thrilled by the sight of another in my Gift Box. Nor would I ever consider selling a Peacock. Each Peacock only occupies one space although its shimmering glory and dramatic tail display makes it appear larger. I try to send a Peacock periodically to Neighbours who have demonstrated their Friendship by sending Gifts regularly and who continue to play Lovely Farm themselves unless they tell me that they really do not wish for any more Peacocks...

Monday, August 16, 2010

Rewards for Increasing Levels in Lovely Farm

At each Level increase, you will receive a Coin Reward as well as unlocking new items. From Level 1 through Level 10, a Level gain will give you a Reward of 200 Coins. From Level 11 through Level 20, a Level gain will give you a Reward of 400 Coins. I was very pleased to discover that, from Level 21 through Level 30, a Level gain will give you a Reward of 600 Coins. As I have not reached Level 31 yet (nor even Level 30 for that matter), I cannot confirm that any Level gain between Level 31 through Level 40 will give you a Reward of 800 Coins but I daresay this is the case. The highest Level that can be achieved at present appears to be Level 70. I would imagine that the Reward for any Level Gain at higher Levels would be as follows:

Level 31 through Level 40: 800 Coins
Level 41 through Level 50: 1000 Coins
Level 51 through Level 60: 1200 Coins
Level 61 through Level 70: 1400 Coins

I would love to have actual confirmation of these higher Rewards from any Player who actually has reached any Level above Level 40.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Lovely Neighbours in Lovely Farm





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Views of three different beautiful Farms that belong to Neighbours in Lovely Farm. Screenshots courtesy of Nicole, Missy Foo-Foo and Trina.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Becoming the Best Possible Neighbour

In Lovely Farm, as in many Facebook Farming Simulation Games, there are a number of different purposes that a Neighbour can serve where any Player is concerned. In Lovely Farm, these are as follows:

1. Specific Neighbour Totals are required for certain Farm Upgrades, allowing a Player to pay for the expansion with Coins instead of Diamonds.

2. Any Neighbour can send 15 Free Gifts per day. 1 Free Gift per day can be sent to any Neighbour or Friend.

3. A Player can visit the Farm of any Neighbour/Friend once each day to earn Coins and XP by chasing off pests and if possible, watering 3 Crops and fertilising 3 Crops.

In some cases, a Player who sends an Invitation to another Player to become a Neighbour simply wishes to meet total Neighbour requirements for a farm upgrade, but in most cases, the Player will hope for regular Gift exchanges and the ability to earn XP and Coins by working on his/her Neighbours' farms.

When exchanging Free Gifts with any Neighbour, those at low levels will have fewer choices than those who are at high levels. Players at low levels usually want items that have not been unlocked yet in their own Gift List. A Player at high levels therefore is best advised to send the highest level of Gift he/she has unlocked.

The biggest question, often one in real life as well as in any Game like Lovely Farm probably is: What should a Player send as a Gift to some one who HAS everything?

The complete Gift List, including the value of each item in terms of Yield (if applicable), XP Gain, Charm Gain, value when sold and level at which it is unlocked, is given in another section of this Guide.

At very low levels, Players need regular sources of income more than anything else. At higher levels, although one still may need money, one needs XP Gain more. At each successive Level, a larger amount of XP will be required to reach the next Level. I have listed all Gifts below with those that give the highest XP first and those that give the least XP last.

The most basic act for any Friend who wishes to help another in Lovely Farm is simply to accept the Invitation to become a Neighbour. If you can access the game regularly to send Free Gifts to your Neighbours, that will make you a better Neighbour. Even when a Neighbour does not access the game, however, other Players can visit his/her farm daily to gain +20 Coins and +5 XP by clicking 'Help' to rid his/her Neighbour of the pests who currently infest the farm. You therefore can do some good for your Friends simply by keeping the application even if you are not interested in playing.

In some Facebook Farming Games, such as Farmville and Fantasy Kingdoms, any Square that has been tilled can be fertilised by a Neighbour to earn points. In Lovely Farm, this is NOT the case. It is only when viable Crops have been planted that a Neighbour can fertilise or water them. Watering can be performed only once on any Crop after it reaches 50% growth and before it attains 100% growth. You then can obtain +5 Coins and +1 XP Gain for each Crop Watered or Fertilised on a Neighbour's Farm. There is a limit of three for each action. As any Neighbour at best can water three Crops and fertilise only three Crops, the total gain in XP and Coins is not that much more than the initial gain for 'helping'.

Sending a Free Gift daily to a Neighbour is more significant.

When a new Player visits the Farm of a high-level Player, he/she may think there is no room for any more items and this may be true. That does NOT mean that you should not send any Gifts, however. As discussed previously, high-level Players need XP (Experience Points) desperately as reaching the next Level of Experience becomes increasingly difficult at high levels. Players therefore should send the Gift with the most XP. Generally speaking, this will be the Gift that he/she unlocked most recently.

The Free Gift with the highest XP value is the Milk Cow with 100 XP. It is the most desirable Gift for low-level Players and high-level Players alike, as it provides a Harvest Revenue of 176 Coins every two days for Players at low rank. Even if a Neighbour has no space for another Milk Cow, however, he/she can place it temporarily to gain 100 XP and then store or sell it.

Players at Levels below Level 10 serve their low-level Neighbours best for the most part by sending Ostriches or Pigs. An Ostrich yields Revenue of 30 Coins daily and can be sold for 40 Coins. The Pig yields a Revenue of 60 Coins every four days and likewise can be sold for 40 Coins. You therefore actually gain more Revenue from the Ostrich than the Pig. The XP gain is rather low in comparison with Gifts unlocked at higher Levels.

Where Free Gifts are concerned, XP Gain results when the player who receives the Gift places it on his/her Farm. If a Player has no space for the Gift or does not wish to keep it on the land, he/she then can store or sell it. Removing an Item from the land will result in a deduction to Charm value but it will not decrease XP obviously.

The XP Gains for all Free Gifts are as follows:

100 XP:
Milk Cow (Free)

75 XP
Peach Tree (Free)

50 XP:
Banana Tree (Free)
Horse (Free)

40 XP:
Avocado Tree (Free)
Rickety Table (Free)

28 XP
Antique Bench (Free)

24 XP:
Wooden Bench (Free)

16 XP:
Bench (Free) (backless)
Sheaf of Wheat (Free)

14 XP:
Bench (Free)
Forest Bench (Free)

10 XP:
Olive Tree (Free)
Ostrich (Free)
Pig (Free)

4 XP:
Orange (Free)

Here are the XP Gains for Paid Gifts as given by the game itself. There appears to be an enormous discrepancy between the Rabbit and the Lamb, both purchased for 5 Diamonds. According to the game description, one will receive 840 XP for the Lamb but only 400 XP for the Rabbit when placed. If you SELL these items after receiving them, you will obtain only 10 Coins for the Rabbit but 400 Coins for the Lamb. I can't believe this is correct but true confirmation would be possible only if I actually sold both items. When I access the 'Sell' Option, the official figures given are those I have noted here:

840 XP
Lamb (5 Diamonds)

600 XP
Field Beehive (6000 Coins)

400 XP
Rabbit (5 Diamonds)

220 XP
Peacock (2200 Coins)

80 XP
Pink Smiley (1 Diamond)
Orange Smiley (1 Diamond)
Red Smiley (1 Diamond)

60 XP
Blooming Tea Roses (600 Coins)
Blooming White Roses (600 Coins)
Blooming Pink Roses (600 Coins)

50 XP
Rose Bush (500 Coins)
14 XP
Little Table (150 Coins)

For those players who need money more than XP Gains, it may be useful to compare the values of the Free Gifts and Paid Gifts in terms of their Yield and the number of Coins gained if the item is sold.

Coin Values of Free Gifts:


600 Coins
Field Beehive (6000 Coins)

400 Coins
Lamb (5 Diamonds)

80 Coins:
Pink Smiley (1 Diamond)
Orange Smiley (1 Diamond)
Red Smiley (1 Diamond)

220 Coins
Peacock (2200 Coins)

60 Coins
Blooming Tea Roses (600 Coins)
Blooming White Roses (600 Coins)
Blooming Pink Roses (600 Coins)

50 Coins
Rose Bush (500 Coins)

15 Coins:
Little Table (150 Coins)

10 Coins:
Rabbit (5 Diamonds)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Decorative Items in Lovely Farm





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Decorative Items serve a genuine purpose in Lovely Farm in terms of raising a player's Level of experience as well as beautifying the landscape. It is by purchasing Decor that a player often can increase his/her Level faster than simply through the planting and harvesting of Crops.

Some items of Decor are Gifts but the bulk of these items are available at the Shop. As with other items in Lovely Farm, some have prices in Coins while others can be purchased solely with Diamonds.

Decor

As with respect to Trees and Animals, you can obtain some Decor Items only as Gifts from other players. The Gift Items will not appear in the Shop Menu but have been included here in a separate section as Decor Gifts. Note that there are some errors in-game where the selling value of an item is concerned. Often the Diamond icon is shown next to the amount where in fact it should be Coins. As far as I know, there are NO Gift items that can be sold for a return in Diamonds instead of Coins.

You may notice that the Smiley Balloons have different prices depending on whether you are purchasing one for yourself or buying one to send as a Gift. There is a difference in XP Gain as well. If you purchase a Smiley for yourself, the cost is 2 Diamonds and XP Gain is 160 but if you send one to a Neighbour/Friend, the cost is 1 Diamond and XP Gain for the recipient is only 80. On the whole, XP Gain depends on price in Lovely Farm. it makes sense, therefore that a Gift Item that costs 1 Diamond will be worth only half the XP Gain of the same Item when purchased for 2 Diamonds.

Decor Gifts

Bench
Free:
XP: 14
Charm: 7
Sell for 12 Coins
Available at Level 1

Bench
Price: Free
XP Gain: 16
Charm: 8
Sell for 12 Coins
Available at Level 1

Pink Smiley
Cost: 1 Diamond
XP Gain: 80
Charm: 40
Sell for 80 Coins*
Description states 80 Diamonds but that is incorrect
Available at Level 1

Orange Smiley
Cost: 1 Diamond
XP Gain: 80
Charm: 40
Sell for 80 Coins*
Available at Level 1

Forest Bench
Price: Free
XP Gain: 14
Charm: 7
Sell for 14 Coins
Available at Level 1

Little Table
Cost: 150 Coins
XP Gain: 14
Charm: 7
Sell for +15 Coins
Available at Level 1

Red Smiley
Cost: 1 Diamond
XP Gain: 80
Charm: 40
Sell for 80 Coins*
Available at Level 1

Blooming Tea Roses
Cost: 600 Coins
XP Gain: 60
Charm: 30
Sell for 60 Coins
Unlock at Level 7

Blooming White Roses
Cost: 600 Coins
XP Gain: 60
Charm: 30
Sell for 60 Coins
Unlock at Level 7

Blooming Pink Roses
Cost: 600 Coins
XP Gain: 60
Charm: 30
Sell for 60 Coins
Unlock at Level 7

Sheaf of Wheat
Price: Free
XP Gain:
Charm: 8
Sell for 1 Coin
Unlock at Level 11

Rose Bush
Cost: 500 Coins
XP Gain: 50
Charm: 25
Sell for 50 Coins
Unlock at Level 15

Wooden Bench
Price: Free
XP Gain: 24
Charm: 12
Sell for 36 Coins
Unlock at Level 17

Rickety Table
Price: Free
XP Gain: 40
Charm: 20
Sell for 36 Coins
Unlock at Level 18

Antique Bench
Price: Free
XP Gain: 28
Charm: 14
Sell for 33 Coins
Unlock at Level 19

Shop Decor
Red Smiley
Price: 2 Diamonds
XP Gain: 160
Charm: 80
Available at Level 1

Pink Smiley
Price: 2 Diamonds
Charm: 80
XP Gain: 160
Unlock at Level 1

Orange Smiley
Price: 2 Diamonds
XP Gain: 160
Charm: 80
Unlock at Level 1

Bench
Price: 50 Coins
Charm: 5
XP Gain: 5
Unlock at Level 1

Crate
Price: 100 Coins
XP Gain: 12
Charm: 6
Unlock at Level 1

White Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Blue Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
XP Gain: 30
Charm: 15
Unlock at Level 1

Marsh Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Green Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Yellow Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Purple Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Violet Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Lime Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Orange Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

Red Balloon
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 1

White Smiley
Price: 500 Coins
Charm: 25
XP Gain: 50
Unlock at Level 1

Yellow Smiley
Price: 500 Coins
Charm: 25
XP Gain: 50
Unlock at Level 1

Simple Bench
Price:
Charm:
XP Gain:
Unlock at Unlock at Level 2

Bench
Price: 150 Coins
Charm: 8
XP Gain: 15
Unlock at Level 3

Forest Bench
Price: 250 Coins
Charm: 14
XP Gain: 25
Unlock at Level 3

Pitcher
Price: 100 Coins
Charm: 5
XP Gain: 10
Unlock at Level 4

Crate
Price: 120 Coins
Charm: 5
XP Gain: 10
Unlock at Level 4

Antique Bench
Price: 350 Coins
Charm: 18
XP Gain: 35
Unlock at Level 4

Garden Lantern
Price: 500 Coins
Charm: 25
XP Gain: 50
Unlock at Level 4

Wooden Chair
Price: 100 Coins
Charm: 4
XP Gain: 7
Unlock at Level 5

Wooden Bench
Price: 500 Coins
Charm: 25
XP Gain: 50
Unlock at Level 5

Basket
Price: 200 Coins
Charm: 10
XP Gain: 20
Unlock at Level 6

Pitcher
Price: 250 Coins
Charm: 12
XP Gain: 25
Unlock at Level 6

Fresh Snacks
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 6

Cherry Preserve
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 6

Pickles
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 6

Spring Apples
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 6

Small Sheaf
Price: 150 Coins
Charm: 8
XP Gain: 15
Unlock at Level 7

Bronze Chair
Price: 2 Diamonds
Charm: 80
XP Gain: 160
Unlock at Level 8

Glass Table
Price: 3 Diamonds
Charm: 120
XP Gain: 240
Unlock at Level 8

Park Bench
Price: 3 Diamonds
Charm: 120
XP Gain: 240
Unlock at Level 8

Closed Basket
Price: 250 Coins
Charm: 12
XP Gain: 25
Unlock at Level 8

Closed Crate
Price: 300 Coins
Charm: 15
XP Gain: 30
Unlock at Level 8

Rickety Table
Price: 400 Coins
Charm: 20
XP Gain: 40
Unlock at Level 8

Glass of Champagne
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 8

Caviar Sandwich
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 8

Cherry Pie
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 8

Well
Price: 8 Diamonds
Charm: 320
XP Gain: 640
Unlock at Level 9

Cubic Bush
Price: 150 Coins
Charm: 3
XP Gain: 15
Unlock at Level 9

Vase
Price: 500 Coins
Charm: 25
XP Gain: 50
Unlock at Level 9

Stump
Price: 800 Coins
Charm; 40
XP Gain: 80
Unlock at Level 9

Large Lamp Post
Price: 5 Diamonds
Charm: 200
XP Gain: 400
Unlock at Level 10

Rocking Chair
Price: 5 Diamonds
Charm: 200
XP Gain: 400
Unlock at Level 10

Waggon with Bottles
Price: 400 Coins
Charm: 20
XP Gain: 40
Unlock at Level 10

Lamp-post
Price: 800 Coins
Charm: 40
XP Gain: 80
Unlock at Level 10

Pumpkin Scarecrow
Price: 5000 Coins
Charm: 250
XP Gain: 500
Unlock at Level 10

Rabbit on Spit
Price: 15 Diamonds
Charm: 600
XP Gain: 1200
Unlock at Level 11

Plow Tool
Price: 1000 Coins
Charm: 50
XP Gain: 100
Unlock at Level 11

Grilled Fish
Price: 3000 Coins
Charm: 150
XP Gain: 300
Unlock at Level 11

Garden Shed
Price: 5 Diamonds
Charm: 200
XP Gain: 400
Unlock at Level 12

Garden Shed
Price: 5 Diamonds
Charm: 200
XP Gain: 400
Unlock at Level 12

Garden Shed
Price: 5 Diamonds
Charm: 200
XP Gain: 400
Unlock at Level 12

Marble Angel with Lantern
10 Diamonds
Charm: 400
XP Gain: 800
Unlock at Level 12

Cask of Wine
Price: 1000 Coins
Charm: 50
XP Gain: 100
Unlock at Level 12

Sword in Stone
Price: 2 Diamonds
Charm: 80
XP Gain: 160
Unlock at Level 13

Pot on Bonfire
Price: 4000 Coins
Charm: 200
XP Gain: 400
Unlock at Level 14

Mail box
Price: 5000 Coins
Charm: 250
XP Gain: 500
Unlock at Level 15

Beach Umbrella
Price: 2000 Coins
Charm: 100
XP Gain: 200
Unlock at Level 15

Well
Price: 3200 Coins
Charm: 160
XP Gain: 320
Unlock at Level 15

Bouquet of Roses:
Price: 5000 Coins
XP Gain: 500
Charm: 250
Unlock at Level 15

Brazier
Price: 6000 Coins
Charm: 300
XP Gain: 600
Unlock at Level 16

Beach Umbrella
Price: 5000 Coins
Charm: 250
XP Gain: 500
Unlock at Level 18

Closed Waggon
Price: 5000 Coins
Charm: 250
XP Gain: 500
Unlock at Level 18

Beach Umbrella
Price: 5000 Coins
Charm: 250
XP Gain: 500
Unlock at Level 18

Garden Shed
Price: 8000 Coins
Charm: 400
XP Gain: 800
Unlock at Level 18

Table with Teapot
Price: 8000 Coins
Charm: 400
XP Gain: 800
Unlock at Level 18

Marquee
Price: 15,000
Charm: 750
XP Gain: 1500
Unlock at Level 18

Table with Drinks
Price: 3 Diamonds
Charm: 120
XP Gain: 240
Unlock at Level 20

Lounger
Price: 3 Diamonds
Charm: 120
XP Gain: 240
Unlock at Level 20

Beautiful Umbrella
Price: 5 Diamonds
Charm: 210
XP Gain: 420
Unlock at Level 20

Scarecrow
Price: 8000 Coins
Charm: 400
XP Gain: 800
Unlock at Level 20

Alpine Hillock
Price: 10,000
Charm: 500
XP Gain: 1000
Unlock at Level 20

Alpine Hillock
Price: 10,000
Charm: 500
XP Gain: 1000
Unlock at Level 20

Alpine Hillock
Price: 10,000
Charm: 500
XP Gain: 1000
Unlock at Level 20

Pool
Price: 25 Diamonds
Charm: 1000
XP Gain: 2000
Unlock at Level 21

Marquee
Price: 20,000 Coins
Charm: 1000
XP Gain: 2000
Unlock at Level 22

Marquee
Price: 20,000 Coins
Charm: 1000
XP Gain: 2000
Unlock at Level 22

Large Pond
Price: 30 Diamonds
Charm: 1200
XP Gain: 2400
Unlock at Level 23

Japanese Garden
Price: 12,000 Coins
Charm: 600
XP Gain: 1200
Unlock at Level 24

Big Gazebo
Price: 30 Diamonds
Charm: 1200
XP Gain: 2400
Unlock at Level 25

Big Gazebo
Price: 30 Diamonds
Charm: 1200
XP Gain: 2400
Unlock at Level 25

Big Gazebo
Price: 30 Diamonds
Charm: 1200
XP Gain: 2400
Unlock at Level 25

Hillock with Pitcher
Price: 15,000 Coins
Charm: 750
XP Gain: 1500
Unlock at Level 26

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Landscaping as an Art in Lovely Farm




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When I become enthusiastic about any game, I like to share my enthusiasm with other players as well as friends who play games occasionally. I was induced to try some of the Facebook games by a fellow fan of Harvest Moon and Rune Factory. When I did, I discovered that other friends and HM fans played some of the same games, not surprisingly. There were a couple of games that I discovered independently, however and these have proven to be my own personal favourites. The two Facebook games that I like best are Fantasy Kingdoms and Lovely Farm.

Neither of these games require that much strategy but, like most games on Facebook, they do demand regular interaction if you wish to do any real farming. Crops will wither if not harvested in time in most of the Farming Simulation games on Facebook with the exception of a game called Tiki Island, where they appear to last indefinitely, although over-ripe Crops may attract insects.

Be that as it may, I have found that many of the HM/RF players I know have not responded as positively to Lovely Farm as I did. They found it tedious and did not perceive any challenges... BUT they never played the game long enough to discover its beauty or the challenges that regular players discover.

Fantasy Kingdoms is very similar to Lovely Farm, actually, but the same players that neglected to pursue Lovely Farm have responded to and been inspired by the Competitions that are posted by the creators of the game. Due to this, they made real efforts to increase their levels and in doing so, and in expanding their kingdoms, they found their own challenges in the game.

I hope some of them can be persuaded to return to Lovely Farm if I post screenshots of truly Lovely Farms to show how it holds equal magic in its own unique style.

For, truth to tell, the real challenge in both Fantasy Kingdoms and Lovely Farms ultimately is in landscaping. It is a desire for beauty rather than riches that persuades players to increase their levels and to obtain Friends who can send them the Gifts that will enhance the beauty of their Farms or Kingdoms. It is a desire for beauty that fuels a player's efforts in growing and harvesting sufficient Crops to raise their Levels to unlock new items and to earn enough Coins to purchase those items.

Fantasy Kingdoms is more overtly magical than Lovely Farm, with pet Dragon Faeries and Unicorns and magical herbs as Crops. I adore Fantasy Kingdoms but it rather sells itself. Lovely Farm is more subtle in a way. Although the Crops are gorgeous, you really need to increase your Levels and have high-Level Neighbours in order to be able to experience or obtain the items with the greatest beauty and those that will allow you to truly indulge in landscaping.

Each of the two games has its own advantages and disadvantages. In Lovely Farms, you do not earn ANY Diamonds when your levels increase. This is very unfortunate, as many players are loath to invest real money in any Facebook game. In Fantasy Kingdom, you do earn one Kingdom Cash for each Level increase. If you want to purchase the most magnificent items, you still will be persuaded to invest real money in the game, but the fact that you have SOME Kingdoms Cash makes players more willing to purchase more. In Lovely Farm, many players simply resent the fact that many of the items are out of their reach unless they purchase Diamonds.

Where landscaping is concerned, however, Lovely Farm has a tool that is extremely helpful. It is found by pressing the 'eye' icon in the lower right corner of the screen. You then will be able to access a pull-down menu that lists every type of item in the game, including Machinery, which has not been introduced yet to players.
Each of the categories has an eye icon next to it. When you press this icon, all items in that category will vanish from your Farm, leaving only squares on the ground to show where they are placed. This really helps when you wish to be able to plant Crops or Trees behind other items such as Buildings. More than once, a Crop in Fantasy Kingdoms has become bewitched because it was obscured by another item and I forgot that I could not see it without moving the item that concealed it. With the aid of the landscaping tool in Lovey Farm, this unfortunate loss would not occur.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Trees in Lovely Farm

Trees

Although Trees given as Gifts do not appear in the Shop Menu in the Tree section, this Guide will include them here under the sub-heading of Gift Trees:

Gift Trees

Olive
Price: Free
Harvest: 4 Days
Yield: +15 Coins
XP Gain:
Charm: 5
Sell for 10 Coins
Available at Level 1

Orange
Price: Free
Harvest: 2 Days
Yield: +8 Coins
XP Gain: 4
Charm: 2
Sell for 10 Coins
Available at Level 1

Avocado
Price: Free
Harvest: 2 Days
Yield: +12 Coins
Sell for 16 Coins
XP Gain: 40
Charm: 20
Unlock at Level 10

Banana
Price: Free
Harvest: 2 Days
XP Gain: 50
Charm: 25
Sell for 26 Coins
Unlock at Level 15

Peach
Price: Free
Harvest: 1 Day
Revenue: 10 Coins
XP Gain: 75
Charm: 38
Sell for 10 Coins
Unlock at Level 21

Ordinary Trees

Trees that must be purchased from the Shop Menu are:

Pomegranate
Price: 300 Coins
Revenue: 17 Coins
Harvest Time: 3 Days
Charm: 15
Experience: 30
Level 1

Pear
Price: 370 Coins
Revenue: 12 Coins
Harvest Time: 2 Days
Charm: 19
Experience: 37
Level 3

Plum
Price: 475 Coins
Revenue: 16 Coins
Harvest Time: 2 Days
Charm: 24
Experience: 47
Level 8

Lime
Price: 635 Coins
Revenue: 21 Coins
Harvest Time: 2 Days
Charm: 32
Experience: 63
Level 14

Cherry
Price: 300 Coins
Revenue: 6 Coins
Harvest Time: 1 Day
Charm: 15
Experience: 30
Level 1

Apple
Price: 390 Coins
Revenue: 20 Coins
Harvest Time: 3 Days
Charm: 20
Experience: 39
Level 4

Lemon
Price: 575 Coins
Revenue: 29 Coins
Harvest Time: 3 Days
Charm: 29
Experience: 57
Level 12

Dates
Price: 10 Diamonds
Revenue: 22 Coins
Harvest Time: 2 Days
Charm: 400
Experience: 800
Level 15

Apricot
Price: 775 Coins
Revenue: 13 Coins
Harvest Time: 1 Day
Charm: 39
Experience: 77
Level 18

Coffee
Price: 15 Diamonds
Revenue: 84 Coins
Harvest Time: 4 Days
Charm: 600
Experience: 1200
Unlock at Level 28

Grapefruit
Price: 985 Coins
Revenue: 16 Coins
Harvest Time: 1 Day
Charm: 49
Experience: 98
Unlock at Level 23

Passion Fruit
Price: 1300 Coins
Revenue: 88
Harvest Time: 4 Days
Charm: 65
Experience: 130
Unlock at Level 28