Flat is Justice! (Island terrain discussion)

[geo-mew]

Sooooo I recently flattened my island for the second time, in anticipation of the update. After the first time I built my island back up, but this time I'm keeping it flat (aside from a small patch where the museum is). Anyone else embraced the pancake island lifestyle? I'm actually really liking it, it reminds me of the older games and it also feels like I have WAY more space on my island now.

 

[Licorice]

My island still mostly has its original layout. So the only cliffs I have are the default ones that are towards the back of the island. Too much terraforming seems like a pain to navigate.

 

[kayleee]

I actually used to have a mostly flat island, but in anticipation for the update started redoing some things and adding way more second and third level areas. I’m liking it a lot more than my flat island, so I think any sort of change brings a lot of inspiration!! But you’re totally right, a flat island does feel much larger.

 

[Moonfish]

My island has been flat since I unlocked terraforming except for on the northern edge where I have the campground and a couple houses. I really dislike cliffs and inclines.

 

[Queenno]

I have a rather flat island but it's the original layout. I only have cliffs on the top right corner. I won't be confortable with an island without any cliffs, I think it gives a bit of perspective.

 

[ForbiddenSecrets]

I like my elevation changes too much. I do only have one level of cliffs though because otherwise I feel like otherwise the need the cliffs have for bumpers takes up too much space. My wifes island is pretty much a pancake though and it’s nice.

 

[daringred_]

my island is mostly flat. (i'd say 60%-75%?) i haven't changed it very much since arriving on launch day. i built a multi-layered waterfall feature near the back in the north-west, adjusted some cliffs and the river shape and added in another waterfall, but that's it. all of my cliffs are on the north-east, slightly south-east side, both first and second tier. terraforming isn't really for me, so i never bothered with it, and now it would just look weird if i started putting things on higher levels elsewhere. i just prefer having my cliffs "naturally generated", similarly to in LGTTC, instead of building them up myself. god knows it would take hours, too.

 

[DJStarstryker]

If it can work for your ideas, it would definitely give you more space. Some amount of space is lost by making cliffs. But also you lose space by making inclines.

I personally like my island with the different levels, but I can see the appeal for it. Go for it! You can probably make something very nice!

 

[boring]

I chose to keep the original layout, but I really see the appeal of flattening your island for an older game vibe. But I try to think of my island as a city folk type deal
Reject modernity embrace tradition lol

 

[moonshi]

I didn't terraform the original island so it was mostly flat. Then I flatten everything and now I have added 2nd and 3rd levels in random places. It definitely feels different and like a whole. New island. I like it a lot currently. Maybe everyone just need a change once in a while.

 

[Hylian Spectre]

It's mostly the way that it came on launch day when I picked the island. I've noticed that most instances of features that utilize higher ground on my island tend to be the museum and some villager homes. Aside from that, I've simply worked with what was already there or smashed it down if it was inconvenient.

 

[moon_child]

I saw a video on YouTube of a flat island that’s decorated so well you won’t even notice it’s completely flat at all and I was so amazed.

 

[pocariS]

I can see how flattening your island is appealing, you do get a little bit more space since with each cliff level you have to go one block inland. If I ever went completely flat I think I'd try to use a bit more water and a lot more bridges but you definitely don't have to worry about trees being "too close" to cliffs.....if I haven't been terraforming for the past few weeks I might've given this a try now that I think about it lol

 

[Croconaw]

My island was mostly flat. I only had a few parts that went to the second level. There were parts of my island I was very happy with. I like flat islands.

 

[geo-mew]

I can see how flattening your island is appealing, you do get a little bit more space since with each cliff level you have to go one block inland. If I ever went completely flat I think I'd try to use a bit more water and a lot more bridges but you definitely don't have to worry about trees being "too close" to cliffs.....if I haven't been terraforming for the past few weeks I might've given this a try now that I think about it lol

I used to have a really complex, terraformed island! with the flat one it's so easy to completely revamp your island and there's more usable space like you said :3 Definitely has its plus sides.

 

[nekomimi]

personally i am deathly allergic to flat islands & having one will land me in the hospital in a full body cast (this is real not clickbait trust me this happened with my first island and i almost died trust m)

personally i much prefer the aesthetics of natural-looking terrain elevation so that's what i have HOWEVER i have seen some really pretty looking flat islands and i do like the room it leaves for renovation/usable room.. also, now that i actually had to completely flatten my island to terraform the way i wanted to on my current island, i can applaud the patience necessary to have and keep a flat island

 

[Pig-Pen]

I had thought much about the "pancake" style but I can see the benefits, like the op mentions, there being more room.... I just like the additional layers/texture having multiple levels add....I'm probably keen to it because I've lived in the mountains at times in my life and loved it.