julia-from-villmount
Whitney is my gurl
I have a five star island and I think I don’t deserve it. I have over 400 hours in it and I still think it looks bad compared to other people’s island on YouTube.
-
TBT is celebrating the start of the Year of the Horse! Our latest event, TBT's Lunar New Year for 2026, is now underway! Meanwhile, we invite you to share your feedback for the forum in the February 2026 Survey. Thank you!
I’m not confident with my island.
- Thread starter julia-from-villmount
- Start date
I'm sure your island is beautiful 
I wasn't confident with my island either, but that's because I kept comparing it to youtube and Instagram islands. I then realized that most of them are starting to look the same and I ended up appreciating how unique mine is!
I wasn't confident with my island either, but that's because I kept comparing it to youtube and Instagram islands. I then realized that most of them are starting to look the same and I ended up appreciating how unique mine is!
Uffe
Seit wann sind Sie hier?
It's not a contest. View island tour videos and get some ideas or inspiration. If there is something you like in some island tours, print screen those sections and try to create around those ideas or replicate it. When it comes to island themes, a lot of people have their waterfall entrances, waterfalls heavily placed throughout the island, orchards, secret beaches, zen themes, cafes, beach gyms, etc. All are very common, and yes, some do look better than others. But again, this isn't a contest on who has the best looking island, and every island doesn't have the same layout unless it's default.
Le Ham
now please I will accept the money-payment
I feel that. For one "fIvE sTaR" is a lot easier to get than those insta-ready islands make it sound. It's not like a five-star restaurant or resort or smth like that. I have to prepare my mindset when I go to look at other people's islands - I'm there to admire and learn from their design choices, not to feel bad about how boring my island seems by comparison. I try to treat them as inspiration, not competition. Ultimately my island doesn't have to look like theirs.
What keeps me positive is I don't plan to finish my island anytime soon. I'll probably keep making changes for I hope years to come. Let me repeat that - years. Especially since Nintendo could add in so many new things without warning (like how they did with bushes and we all had to recreate our islands around them? yeah). These other people? Good on them for all their hard work and good design sense and I hope their island makes them happy for time to come, but we don't have to work at their pace if we don't want to or know how to.
Maybe we could compare island building to creating art. There are lots of people incredibly skilled at drawing stuff. There are also lots of people who "can't even draw a stickman/circle/other basic thing." But really a lot of it isn't talent, as we tend to believe - it's application of techniques and imitating what you see around you. You learn to draw a cat after you've stared at lots and lots of cats and painstakingly practiced getting their details right. You learn to shade, draw wrinkles on clothing, etc, by doing similar. I notice a lot of these good islands make use of good design choices like how to create open spaces without them feeling empty, how to arrange/mix/spread out flowers and make natural flowing paths, how to create cohesive natural-looking multi-level neighborhoods, how to make use of things like weeds, objects, patterns to decorate in unique ways, etc.
You can't create in a vacuum - whenever we use our imagination to create something it has to come from ourselves or our experiences or what we've seen. Want to create more beautiful things? Immerse yourself in more content and dedicate your efforts to replicating it on the canvas - in this case your island.
You can't create in a vacuum - whenever we use our imagination to create something it has to come from ourselves or our experiences or what we've seen. Want to create more beautiful things? Immerse yourself in more content and dedicate your efforts to replicating it on the canvas - in this case your island.
What keeps me positive is I don't plan to finish my island anytime soon. I'll probably keep making changes for I hope years to come. Let me repeat that - years. Especially since Nintendo could add in so many new things without warning (like how they did with bushes and we all had to recreate our islands around them? yeah). These other people? Good on them for all their hard work and good design sense and I hope their island makes them happy for time to come, but we don't have to work at their pace if we don't want to or know how to.
Arckaniel
🍎 island
You don't have to compare your island to others because your island is yours and though you may not appreciate it as much as you'd like, it's the same for everyone, you will always find "better" islands than yours but you don't have to beat yourself up just because you don't like your own island, I'm pretty sure your island is beautiful as well. Use other's islands as inspiration to your own and one day, you'll be contented with your own island, just have fun and don't worry about it too much.
Tiffany
🌜 from Lunasoleil 🌞
I know how you feel, my island will never look as good as the ones I've seen. But I've realized I dont want it to. I've seen islands that look amazing but to me they are so built up and full of stuff it just feels cramped(same for throwing all the villager houses in one corner,mine are somewhat spread out). I've noticed as I've moved stuff around that I like open spaces and I like my island looking like an island rather than a big city full of stuff. Just do what you like and forget the rest.
Don't compare your island to others. You will always be your biggest critic, but you have to realize that you're creating this island for yourself. If other people don't like it, screw them. We all play differently and have different needs. Some people love strolling through their town island and earning items with trading, others are nostalgic to older games and want their game to still look like Animal Crossing while others only care about accessibility and practicality.
Point is, if something about your island bothers you, change it. But don't let yourself get bothered because of someone else's island, we all have different ideas with different layouts but we have to choose one. You deserve your rating because of the work you've put into it. Your island doesn't need to look like anyone else's.
And you should probably look at more islands than the ones being showcased on YouTube. I saw a bunch of nice islands while traveling, but most of them looked normal. They had some paths, some hedges, some effort and their own personality. At the end of the day, playability for yourself is most important.
Point is, if something about your island bothers you, change it. But don't let yourself get bothered because of someone else's island, we all have different ideas with different layouts but we have to choose one. You deserve your rating because of the work you've put into it. Your island doesn't need to look like anyone else's.
And you should probably look at more islands than the ones being showcased on YouTube. I saw a bunch of nice islands while traveling, but most of them looked normal. They had some paths, some hedges, some effort and their own personality. At the end of the day, playability for yourself is most important.
Druidsleep
Snooty Capricorn
I critique people islands. I could do yours if you want.
moonolotl
nice forearms and nicer staff
If you're unhappy with it then spend some time working on it to make sure its perfect! No ones rushing you, you have no deadline (or you shouldn't at least). I assume you'll be in this for the long run so why not go and do those insane terraforming ideas you have?
That's what im currently doing and my islands been a mess for weeks and weeks but when its done it'll be my dream island!
That's what im currently doing and my islands been a mess for weeks and weeks but when its done it'll be my dream island!
Sudsofsplash
Pocket Egg
Take your time designing and finding whats perfect for you. Don't rush and compare to other, maybe take inspo from other people's but don't compare and be like "Well mine will never be as good as theirs!"
Listen, I was in the same rut, I was unhappy with my island so I tore everything down, flattening everything, tearing up all the trees and flowers, and moving all the buildings out of the way and then I spent a week terraforming and planting trees, plants, shrubs, and placing paths and buildings where I'd like them. I decided to pick a theme and then leave some areas empty just in case we get more buildings or different furniture items. I have a more forest-y theme, with a bit more of like a small island town.
I recommend you find a theme you'd like for your town (cute, forest, city, etc.) and try to style your island with a theme in mind and don't compare to other people, take inspo from other people! And don't rush, it's not a contest! It took me 5 years to get my New Leaf town to a place where I liked it and even then I would seen hacked natural forest-y towns that I wish mine would look like, but in the end I was happy with my town (And I didn't know how to hack rocks and stuff into rivers in New Leaf LOL)
Listen, I was in the same rut, I was unhappy with my island so I tore everything down, flattening everything, tearing up all the trees and flowers, and moving all the buildings out of the way and then I spent a week terraforming and planting trees, plants, shrubs, and placing paths and buildings where I'd like them. I decided to pick a theme and then leave some areas empty just in case we get more buildings or different furniture items. I have a more forest-y theme, with a bit more of like a small island town.
I recommend you find a theme you'd like for your town (cute, forest, city, etc.) and try to style your island with a theme in mind and don't compare to other people, take inspo from other people! And don't rush, it's not a contest! It took me 5 years to get my New Leaf town to a place where I liked it and even then I would seen hacked natural forest-y towns that I wish mine would look like, but in the end I was happy with my town (And I didn't know how to hack rocks and stuff into rivers in New Leaf LOL)
Blueskyy
You gotta know that the sky belongs to no one.
I honestly don’t watch island tours for inspiration because I don’t want my island looking like everyone else’s I like to just think of how I can use items or spaces that I have. 5 stars just means you’ve done a lot to your island. If you like it then it is perfect.
The important thing is to stop making this a contest against everyone else. You shouldn't be looking at designer towns and immediately hating your own town simply because it doesn't look exactly like theirs. Take inspiration from certain aspects of those towns that you like, and bring those designs into your own town. It's as simple as that. Who exactly are you trying to compete against to the point you feel like you've "lost" to the point you suddenly hate your own town. What is so bad about your town? If there's something you don't like about it, then change those aspects. If you'd like anyone to visit your town to see what ideas and critique we can share, I'm sure there's plenty of people here who would be happy to help you out in that regard, myself included!
omg Im feeling something similiar :C I just dont like my town right now (even tho its 5-star as well)
I knew my town wasnt going to be as good as "youtuber or instagram" islands so I just kept progressing with my island as I went. No plans or nothing. And now I have like no rivers/lakes cause of my "work as i go" method and things are not working out @_@; I want to redo my whole island now :C
I knew my town wasnt going to be as good as "youtuber or instagram" islands so I just kept progressing with my island as I went. No plans or nothing. And now I have like no rivers/lakes cause of my "work as i go" method and things are not working out @_@; I want to redo my whole island now :C
Dormire
「さよなら、はじめまして」
TBH. I would never compare mines to other islands because they're not me and they put a lot of effort in their island but... most of the time they look like forms of art rather than a "livable getaway". My island will never be on par to 5 star ones but the bond I have with my own landscapes and islanders make it something I would never trade for. Besides, the ones who have a "complete" island give me GIANT anxiety. Why? They have 0 space for new establishments like Brewster's cafe or Leif's garden shop or a farm area to accommodate the future farming feature. Imagine dismantling that hard-worked island because you didn't take account for that? I would have a mental breakdown lol. (PROBABLY ONLY BECAUSE TERRAFORMING IS SUCH A PAIN AND I DONT WANNA GO THROUGH IT AGAIN)
Meanwhile, I take my time terraforming and making sure the island has enough space to accommodate those future additions. Less hassle to dismantling areas and just to brush up few places. No need to destroy 50% of the chunks you poured several hours on.
TL;DR: Don't compare your island to others. They're different than what YOU want to do.
Meanwhile, I take my time terraforming and making sure the island has enough space to accommodate those future additions. Less hassle to dismantling areas and just to brush up few places. No need to destroy 50% of the chunks you poured several hours on.
TL;DR: Don't compare your island to others. They're different than what YOU want to do.
Altarium
輝く月がまた雲に隠れた
I'm sure your island is beautiful! Don't ever compare your island to other people's. Your island represents yourself and your personality shines through it. That automatically makes it awesome! So what if you have 400 hours? I'm approaching 300 hours and I spend most of my playing sessions just wandering around and looking at my villagers doing cute things, visiting the museum... that adds up, I've not spent all the time terraforming! In fact, 50% of my island is a barren wasteland without a single tree or flower and I still got 5 stars recently.
Don't feel discouraged! Keep working on it as you see fit, there's no way to do AC wrong as long as you're being true to yourself! There's nothing wrong with taking inspiration from others, but never to the point of feeling insecure! You can do it <3
Don't feel discouraged! Keep working on it as you see fit, there's no way to do AC wrong as long as you're being true to yourself! There's nothing wrong with taking inspiration from others, but never to the point of feeling insecure! You can do it <3
fallenchaoskitten
Legendary Something or Other
What is it about your island that you don't like?
... great.
Now change it!
What is it about those other islands that you just love?
... ok that's awesome.
Now how can you add something like that to your island?
Time to get down to work!
That's what is beautiful about New Horizons. We aren't stuck with "the crappy map" we were in previous titles where our only option was to live with it, try real hard to work with it, or just reset.
Sure, it may take awhile to get to where you want, especially with building moving or bridges/inclines if you don't TT, but that just means you have more time to shape things how you want in your mind to apply it to your island. Just work on a section at a time, adding in what you love and getting rid of what you don't. You'll get there.
... great.
Now change it!
What is it about those other islands that you just love?
... ok that's awesome.
Now how can you add something like that to your island?
Time to get down to work!
That's what is beautiful about New Horizons. We aren't stuck with "the crappy map" we were in previous titles where our only option was to live with it, try real hard to work with it, or just reset.
Sure, it may take awhile to get to where you want, especially with building moving or bridges/inclines if you don't TT, but that just means you have more time to shape things how you want in your mind to apply it to your island. Just work on a section at a time, adding in what you love and getting rid of what you don't. You'll get there.
Similar threads
