Browsing the immense list of games at E3, there are plenty of familiar faces. We love seeing new stuff introduced, but we're always equally excited about seeing familiar franchises refreshed. Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar and Rune Factory 3 fit squarely into the latter category, and we don't think that fans of the previous games will be disappointed by these new installations. Grand Bazaar has all the things we're accustomed to, like raising crops, animals, and even a family. You can play as either a boy or girl, with five bachelors and bachelorettes available to woo. The element that changes this most, compared to previous installments, is the Grand Bazaar itself. Within Rune Factory 3 is also an interesting twist. Aside from the expected gameplay around building resources and battles with monsters, you are charged with repairing a rift that has developed between two nearby communities.

Growing crops is fun, but all gamers know that crops are just a means to an end, and that end is cold, hard cash. We never really questioned the idea that someone just came to pick up our crops after they were grown, but luckily the smart folks at Natsume are around to keep things interesting. Now when you harvest crops, you'll actually be responsible for selling them in the Grand Bazaar. This business element acts as an important way to progress in the story. You'll have earnings targets set for you, and as you are able to sell more and more goods, the Grand Bazaar expands and adds new items you can buy. Multiplayer brings another dimension into Rune Factory 3, with the ability to go questing with a friend. The story development is wrapped around gameplay that urges you to become a productive, protective, and thoughtful citizen. There's definitely more action and fighting in Rune Factory 3, so it's a great choice for younger gamers that don't have the patience for extended simulation elements.

Back to Harvest Moon, once you have generated some cash, you can gather items in the Grand Bazaar that allow you to brew drinks, or to craft wearable status accessories. If you don't have a use for items you create, you can always sell them back in the Grand Bazaar. We noticed graphical improvements and abilities in both titles that weren't present in their previous DS releases. Jumping and throwing items, even using some in-game items to create things on the fly, makes this a richer game experience. Even with all these additions, Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar and Rune Factory 3 actually look more accessible than previous games, because they strip away some of the complicated requirements that kept you working like a dog all day in the fields. Fans will have a chance to judge for themselves on July 27, when Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar lands on retail shelves, and Rune Factory 3 arrives later this year, some time in the fourth quarter.