Is your game more realistic or more fantastic?

[CrankyCupcake]

It's just fascinating to see everyone do so many different things with their own islands! Which makes me wonder, how do you see your island, how do you play your game? As something that is closer to being realistic, or something that is more fantastic? Must indoor items always stay indoors? Does it appall you to see your outdoor bookshelves in the pouring rain? Can a resident be too pink?

You could argue that this game isn't realistic in any way apart from the fact that it passes in real time. Animals don't talk. It never snows on a tropical island. Giant clams do not move at the speed of overly energetic toddlers on tricycles. So do these things break your immersion? Are these reasons why so many of us seem to want ever more control over every little aspect of the game? Or do you actually feel the unpredictability (of how animals move in and out, how the weather changes, how NPCs visit infrequently, etc) actually helps with a sense of realism? How much realism is too little or too much?

I need an OFF switch for my brain.

 

[meela]

I would probably say more realistic, but only in certain situations. For instance, I can't have an area of the island that must be accessed by vaulting pole or ladder, because villagers cannot use a vaulting pole or a ladder.

I think because of limited outdoor items, it's expected to have indoor items outside, however the one I can't seem to accept for some reason is outdoor libraries, with the massive wooden bookshelves.

 

[Catharina]

I would say fantastic! I love placing random stuff outside thats actually indoor stuff ( I also have an outdoor library ;') 🠹 ) I also have little islands even tho villagers cant get to them. I do like the unpredictability of villagers moving and the weather etc.

 

[Romaki]

I mean, it's a village on an island so how realistic can it be? I just decorate it how I like it, I would add a pavillon if I could.

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

More on the realistic side for me. I tried putting a double sofa on the beach, and that was just too much for me, man

 

[John Wick]

It's hard to do much with so little.

Most islands and houses look the same to me.

 

[CrankyCupcake]

I would probably say more realistic, but only in certain situations. For instance, I can't have an area of the island that must be accessed by vaulting pole or ladder, because villagers cannot use a vaulting pole or a ladder.

OH. That totally reminds me of the time I found Raymond in this area filled with flowers that cannot be accessed without a ladder and a vaulting pole. I was shocked to see him. I later told myself he used a ladder and a pole. I just didn't happen to catch him in the act. I could see him doing it in my head though.

 

[McRibbie]

It's just fascinating to see everyone do so many different things with their own islands! Which makes me wonder, how do you see your island, how do you play your game? As something that is closer to being realistic, or something that is more fantastic? Must indoor items always stay indoors? Does it appall you to see your outdoor bookshelves in the pouring rain? Can a resident be too pink?

You could argue that this game isn't realistic in any way apart from the fact that it passes in real time. Animals don't talk. It never snows on a tropical island. Giant clams do not move at the speed of overly energetic toddlers on tricycles. So do these things break your immersion? Are these reasons why so many of us seem to want ever more control over every little aspect of the game? Or do you actually feel the unpredictability (of how animals move in and out, how the weather changes, how NPCs visit infrequently, etc) actually helps with a sense of realism? How much realism is too little or too much?

I need an OFF switch for my brain.

Aside from the fact the game isn't actually set on a tropical island, just a deserted one (bc yeah, it's impossible to actually have seasons on a tropical island and that screws up one of the key mechanics of Animal Crossing)... I'm generally erring towards something I describe as "Animal Crossing but better", which generally involves keeping my island fairly natural-looking, but selectively utilising the fact that you can place items outdoors (such as outdoor furniture, which I never really decorated with in older games), build fences and create paths to create something that feels like a forest village largely populated by talking animals (rather than something more built-up and 'themed') in a more developed way than before... so yeah, I'd describe my island as more realistic?

 

[DinoTown]

Fantastic!
My island is full of talking crocodiles and birds and has a giant statue of Godzilla that breathes fire on the tallest cliff... Animal Crossing my way of escaping the real world and living in one I would much prefer to actually be in lol.
I like islands that try to keep a more 'realism' theme to it but also... glowing giant mushroom pathways. So pretty.

 

[Chris]

I guess realistic. Most of my villagers are natural colours and the layout is structured in a way that it could be a real town layout.

 

[InstantNoodles]

Probably more realistic - just my personal preference though! I suppose if I ever got a second island I could go the fantastic route

 

[Rosch]

Mine's realistic. Well, maybe except for the pirate decor I have arranged on the northwest rock area of my island. It's supposed to be a shipwreck of some sort.

 

[Imbri]

I would say mine is mostly realistic with little elements of fantasy. I've laid things out the way an actual community would be, but I've tried to include pops of whimsy/fantasy.

 

[Marshmallows]

Realistic I suppose... but slowly I've been making things more fun. Even though I really like realistic design and patterns, and original planned a Miami themed island, I can't get away from inserting sweet and fantasy themes. It's a bit tacky and kitsch, but whatever.

 

[Pintuition]

Mine is both a bit fantastic and realistic. I try to do some of both. My villagers are mostly fantastic, I just can't help myself! There's nothing out of the ordinary about my neighborhood but I have little pirate and mermaid areas, pink paths, and a whole bunch of fantastic stuff! I find a mix of things works the best!

 

[Bluebellie]

I guess leaning towards more realistic. I can’t have bookshelf outside or indoor items outside because they can get wet. It drives me crazy. My town layout is very functional as well. I don’t need the pole or ladder or to be jumping around the pond squares.

 

[Jhine7]

Mine is on the more realistic side. Except for my house. My house isn't really that special and it just has a bunch of cool things in it. Not built like a house with all the essential rooms.

 

[charmingpeach]

Mine is heavily on the fantastic side, though I'm very, very hesitant to go all the way because the game is updating so slowly that I don't know how buildings will end up looking (i.e. too modern for a fairytale setting) or if we'll have options to customize them like NL

 

[Nami]

Mines definitely more realistic. I will say that some items bother me being outdoors, but only a few specific things, really. Mines kind of a mix. Most of my areas are something you could see in real life, or similar at least. I am working on a magical forest section, though. So that part will be more fantastical.

 

[elo-chan]

+1 to the realistic crew! I've seen people deck out their beaches but I'm probably not going to do much with mine (it's a beach, after all!)