With this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (better known as E3) looming on the horizon, game companies have been saving their big announcements for the event, and RPGamer news coverage has dwindled because of this. Not one to always follow the pack, Natsume, publisher of such games as Lufia 2 and Harvest Moon, has helped put the "new" back in our news by announcing three upcoming RPGs.

The first title is Harvest Moon: Back to Nature for the Sony PlayStation. This version of Harvest Moon will feature the same tried-and-true farm simulation gameplay of the series, while adding an array of new skills and items and offering crisper, more detailed graphics than ever before. Harvest Moon: Back to Nature will reach North American audiences sometime this Spring.

Next on the list are Harvest Moon 2 and Legend of the River King 2, both for the Game Boy Color. Although little has been announced regarding these two games, we can expect Harvest Moon 2 to offer many new features to the farm sim/RPG formula, and Legend of the River King 2 will be sure to please fans of both fishing games and RPGs with the series' unique blend of gameplay. Both games will hit American shores in Fall 2000.

These three games will offer gamers a break from the usual "save the world" type of RPG, and gameplay details and other aspects are sure to be announced soon. Stay tuned to RPGamer for all the information regarding these exciting new titles from Natsume.