What makes Animal Crossing such a good game? [NO SPOILERS]

[Monokuma73]

About six weeks ago, I knew nothing about Animal Crossing series, for now me and my GF - both we got 180+ hours so far and still we want to play and we had not enough. When I started reading about AC, I thought it's very similar to many flash games I saw already, but I was wrong.
Why AC (based on NH) is a good game? Why so many people were tempted by this title?

I started playing ACNH from version 1.4.1 and neither me or my GF had any single crash. I knew, some people experience some problems, but I would like to believe its minority. Stable software... would it be enough?
Animal Crossing series is 19 years old, any every single game (except board one for Wii U) is based on same / similar ideas. Why people, including me are still interested about this?
This is not first, not only simulation game... why this one? Maybe this is not only about pure simulation of farming life, but about simulation of happiness?

I will add more in the future if you will be interested about this discussion... but for now, I would like to ask you answer the question I asked: "What makes Animal Crossing such a good game?" (and no spoilers please).

 

[elo-chan]

Now that I think about it, as much as I loved ACNL, the burnout for that series was quick for me. Animal Crossing has always been a creative outlet for me (I mean look at the amount of items in this game!) and it was so much harder to place and move things in New Leaf. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to my villagers, fishing, bug catching, and diving as much as the next person--but I can safely say at least 80% of my game time and more is just spent designing, gathering materials, crafting, customizing and repeat xD. I think what makes this game good is that players can find enjoyment in the game with more than just one way ^^

 

[CitrusCakes]

*includes every spoiler ever about any game*
jk but uhhhh I think a lot of the enjoyment in AC is from the diversity of things you can do in the game--there's no "end goal" at all and very few "mandatory" tasks beyond the first things at the beginning, which makes the game very open about how you want to play it. If you love designing and decorating, but don't care that much about fishing, then it's totally fine. There's no right or wrong way to play, so it's a neat little game.

 

[supernerd]

My favorite thing, and the thing that has kept me coming back since the Gamecube game, is how your town feels like home. I love how you can come to love the villagers so much, especially when you first see them and are like, "ew - look at that gross frog" (or any other character that's not cute - totally subjective) and you end up becoming best friends. I love how the NPCs in the game become so familiar and you get excited to see them for special events. All the little touches they've put into this game have made it even more special. Seriously every time I get a new Animal Crossing game, it's like coming home, and that's what makes it so amazing to me.

 

[JellyBeans]

I definitely agree that the freedom of the game is one of its best aspects! if you look around the community you can see how there are so many people who have done entirely different things to their islands, and they are all (for the most part) happy with what they've got, and yet we all have access to the exact same items! also as said above, there's no 'end' to the game - you can keep changing and exploring and relaxing throughout the years. even if you take a break for a while, everything will be as you left it. i just love it!

 

[Monokuma73]

Now that I think about it, as much as I loved ACNL, the burnout for that series was quick for me. Animal Crossing has always been a creative outlet for me (I mean look at the amount of items in this game!) and it was so much harder to place and move things in New Leaf. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to my villagers, fishing, bug catching, and diving as much as the next person--but I can safely say at least 80% of my game time and more is just spent designing, gathering materials, crafting, customizing and repeat xD. I think what makes this game good is that players can find enjoyment in the game with more than just one way ^^

As I have less experience with NL despite the fact having it, I'm trying to understand my (and others) fascination about Animal Crossing, as a whole, not any particular title.
I found a pleasure doing this as well, just enjoy this like... a holiday?

*includes every spoiler ever about any game*
jk but uhhhh I think a lot of the enjoyment in AC is from the diversity of things you can do in the game--there's no "end goal" at all and very few "mandatory" tasks beyond the first things at the beginning, which makes the game very open about how you want to play it. If you love designing and decorating, but don't care that much about fishing, then it's totally fine. There's no right or wrong way to play, so it's a neat little game.

True... but there are so many games with no "end goal", like Minecraft, Terraria, Dragon Quest Builders 1 and 2 and many more. I spend many hours with other games in my past, but this one has something unique and trying to understand and determine what is exactly.

My favorite thing, and the thing that has kept me coming back since the Gamecube game, is how your town feels like home. I love how you can come to love the villagers so much, especially when you first see them and are like, "ew - look at that gross frog" (or any other character that's not cute - totally subjective) and you end up becoming best friends. I love how the NPCs in the game become so familiar and you get excited to see them for special events. All the little touches they've put into this game have made it even more special. Seriously every time I get a new Animal Crossing game, it's like coming home, and that's what makes it so amazing to me.

Can we just describe it, as a "pure love simulation"? Maybe just living mostly with friends... just like "paradise simulation"?

I definitely agree that the freedom of the game is one of its best aspects! if you look around the community you can see how there are so many people who have done entirely different things to their islands, and they are all (for the most part) happy with what they've got, and yet we all have access to the exact same items! also as said above, there's no 'end' to the game - you can keep changing and exploring and relaxing throughout the years. even if you take a break for a while, everything will be as you left it. i just love it!

Can we define "what they've got" like something positive, or maybe like urge of possession? Maybe it's about "freezing in time" - whatever will be left, no matter how many days / months will pass, nothing will go...

Can we say something about "beauty" - something between fairytale and place of our dreams? Place where we can escape, where is natural calm, safety?

 

[CitrusCakes]

True... but there are so many games with no "end goal", like Minecraft, Terraria, Dragon Quest Builders 1 and 2 and many more. I spend many hours with other games in my past, but this one has something unique and trying to understand and determine what is exactly.

I was absolutely thinking of Minecraft when typing my reply, and I agree that there are quite a few games out there with a lot of endless capabilities, so it's still easy to wonder why AC is so successful. I think the villagers' friendship capacities also make AC extremely worthwhile. At the end of the day, we all know that they're just virtual animals with only like 8 different personalities, but there's so much wholesomeness to the interactions. Some of the dialogue genuinely makes my day sometimes since villagers can be so sweet.

 

[eko]

New Leaf was my first AC title and I was rather late to the series (2017), I originally just wanted to know "what the hype was about?" after seeing a bunch of really pretty islands on tumblr and wanting to explore the calming vibes I felt from just looking at screenshots.

Everyone who plays Animal Crossing has their own goals and preferred gameplay, which probably builds upon why it's so addictive to play and why so many people play it. Personally, I play to decorate my island and invite my favorite villagers. Taking screenshots is a huge motivator for me to play any game (including rpgs and fps lol) and the more variation and customization tools I'm given, the more time I can sink into it.

Meanwhile I know there's tons of players who don't share their islands at all, some who don't micromanage, some who just enjoy fishing, some finishing their museum, my friend is working through the nook miles stamps, some want to 100% their nook catalog, some who just spend time with friends/family, some want to help fulfill wishlists, I could go on for hours about the different ways to enjoy the game and there's probably even more outliers who have wildly different goals. That being said, Animal Crossing offers so much to do in a world that you can customize to your liking with charming visuals and lovable characters.

Some other simulation games I've played have been Minecraft, The Sims, Spore, Zoo Tycoon, No Man's Sky, Space Colony, Slime Rancher, Terraria and I'm probably missing more... My playtime from most of these games across years don't even match up to the playtime I've spent in New Horizons during the last 5+ months. Directly comparing the differences, what sets Animal Crossing part from the crowd is that YOU as a player are directly interacting with the premade characters in the world, it gives a sense of belonging or friendship. Of course there's other players who detach themselves from their residential rep and/or play as an original character. But this series in particular, is the closest to being part of an almost living community with their own personalities. You're given the control to make any decisions you want or interacting how you want, ranging between spoiling your favorites and hitting that one villager you hate with a net lol, with the only drawback being technical limitations, which aren't too many.

Comparing Animal Crossing to the other simulation games I've personally played, it really comes up to being part of your villagers lives. Making your island look pretty, finishing the museum or whatever your goals might be and getting a sense of accomplishment that you're making their/your home better. You make an incredible house in minecraft? You can't exactly ask your tamed cat if they like it, any external validation you get is from sharing it with friends or strangers online. The Sims? You're in control of how they react, and unless you remade yourself into the Sims, it feels like you're watching from afar as a "god" and not directly getting a thank you from them. Zoo Tycoon and Space Colony? You're just the observer, you're not part of the world. Spore, No Man's Sky, Terraria and Slime rancher? Probably as close as you're going to get to that sense of actually belonging inside the universe with premade characters to interact with but still isn't quite right. Animal Crossing is the only game (that I have found at least) that really hits that spot of a living in-game community.

This last point is so important but other games offer the same experience to a limited extent, is the amazing online/irl community and it's a safe place in-game. The Animal Crossing fandom while, every fandom has flaws and toxic players, is the most friendly and diverse that I know of. Animal Crossing is such a good escape from the real world, especially if you grew up with an abusive parent or there's a certain global pandemic, that your happy animal friends are safe, having a great time and are eager to talk with you.

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk haha. Sorry this got quite long, it was really therapeutic to express and explore why exactly this is such an amazing game that fills a certain void that other simulation games don't quite match. QwQ

 

[-Blue-]

I kind of liked that there wasn't really a pattern you had to follow. There was so much things you could get into and everyone was doing something different. The freedom to do whatever you want to and just chill is what I like about the game. Right now, NH really doesn't have that with the slow updates. So everyone is kind of doing the same thing (especially when the updates come around. Given time, I hope there will be enough content for everyone not exactly doing the same thing. But right now my experience is kind of similar to everyone else's.

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

The aesthetic things.. Interior design, landscaping, customization, QR codes, clothing, terraforming... I love that I have so much control over my island, especially compared to how it was in New Leaf. I can make it exactly how I want.

And the ability to share my island and see other peoples islands! The community (mainly, specifically the TBT community) makes the game so much better!

ACNH has mass appeal which is also great. My mom plays it, my cousin plays it, my sister-in-law and her mom plays it.. it's a great game and it is only going to get better.

 

[elo-chan]

Directly comparing the differences, what sets Animal Crossing part from the crowd is that YOU as a player are directly interacting with the premade characters in the world, it gives a sense of belonging or friendship. Of course there's other players who detach themselves from their residential rep and/or play as an original character. But this series in particular, is the closest to being part of an almost living community with their own personalities. You're given the control to make any decisions you want or interacting how you want, ranging between spoiling your favorites and hitting that one villager you hate with a net lol, with the only drawback being technical limitations, which aren't too many.

Honestly @eko sums this up so perfectly and I wholeheartedly agree with their entire post! The Animal Crossing franchise just feels so much more personal, for lack of better words. I've played a ton of simulation games myself. There are similar games like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, but the level of enjoyment from these games hasn't even come close to how I feel about Animal Crossing (and particularly, ACNH!)

 

[CrankyCupcake]

My experience with Animal Crossing started with Wild World, followed by New Leaf. I've been playing New Horizons since launch day.

There are as many reasons for AC being a good game as there are people playing the game.

As a sandbox type of game, AC fulfills every player's need for satisfaction in a very simple way: Play it your way. There is no goal. As such, the goal is to make yourself happy. The game has enough content, mechanics and customization options for anyone to play it however they want. The choices are so staggering that AC boards see many threads discussing them on a daily basis. Which animals to invite? Which ones to kick? What theme for my island? How to farm a resource? When to catch this fish? How to find that insect? What to terraform this corner of my island into? Which hybrid flowers to grow? What to plant? What to collect? How to collect? When to collect? Should I collect?

Compared to the older games, New Horizons goes a step further: Giving goals to those who might feel ill-at-ease having to manufacture their own goals by introducing the Nook Miles achievements. As if we needed another thing to collect!

When the new and ambitious terraforming tool was announced, I was all agog. Being given god-like powers is a dream. But dreams can be nightmares. Some players took to terraforming like ducks to water. Others are petrified by the possibilities.

To me, the evolution of AC feels natural. The expansion of more mechanics and more tools to keep a player involved is a smart move. But there's one more thing AC has that most other sandbox games don't that makes its appeal unique. That is, how game time is real time.

It's the final piece of the art-imitates-life puzzle. Gaming is an escape. Players want a world in which to lose themselves in. Most games give you a pre-made world where time either stands still or moves in prescribed, pre-determined and repetitive cycles. AC gives you a world with seasons that synchronize with the real world. It's familiar. It's comforting. It moves on even when you're not playing. It has a life of its own, and so it's immersive.

I think these factors make the game incredibly attractive and addictive to most players. But there are so many more reasons for so many more players because we all have different expectations. We all play the same game differently, because we can. And we can, because AC has been generous in providing us with what we need to make the world in AC a world we can call our own.

 

[Monokuma73]

@CitrusCakes when I played Minecraft I never had a feeling like its world giving me anything but loneliness. I had virtually unlimited terrain, but whatever I achieved hasn't reflected on any living creatures. I still like Minecraft, but in different way comparing to AC.
The Sims - I always been overwhelmed with one thing: "not enough time for anything".
Dragon Quest Builders 2 - gave me something more, I really liked this game - but story ruined almost everything. If I will be playing once more, everything I know will happen again and again.
AC has story reduced to minimum, when we can see "credits" (by many considered as "game over") - the game is just beginning, literally.

@eko I'm regretting and I'm happy about living in ignorance for so many years. Now I have all AC games, except "board game" for Wii U. I focused on ACNH, I must admit - mainly because screen in 3DS is not big enough for me, and I have better experience when display is at least 30" (just my opinion).
Screenshots - I always liked it, and obviously I will be using it in ACNH - I've done some already, but I need to progress some more, to make more interesting (IMO) screenshots to save / share.
Social interactions... I'm trying to remember if I ever played any better game. However, there is another game "Tomodachi Life" for 3DS, where focused on social interactions... but this game never had so many fans, and most players giving up after couple hours. I played a bit, because I don't have my own copy of Tomodachi Life, but main difference is: "there's no "ME" inside of this world" - player just watching, deciding... and there is no such pleasure like we have in AC.
I can't say much about community related to AC (except this forum). I can say, as I joined recently I was welcomed and all, even short discussions were always nice and people were helpful. Question I want to ask: "Is this game makes people better, or maybe just better people playing this game?"

@CrankyCupcake I've been playing less than month. I'm not sure if this is better, as I got updated software (maybe better with improved battery Switch)... or maybe I lost something. But if this game will give me constant pleasure and in time I will be coming back over and over, I will experience all seasons, and next year I will be having March, April, May, June and July - all months I missed.
You said "no goal" - there some games meeting this criteria, like "Cube World" called by many biggest failure. Pure freedom is not enough. I thing freedom must be delivered in proper way, to give us (players) opportunity to enjoy.
Real time, lack of depleting energy / mana / whatever is a great idea. If I'm tired - finishing playing, when I'm hungry - eating, in my real life - it's not really necessary to duplicate it in "dream world".

 

[banjokaboom]

My first introduction to AC was Pocket Camp, and I thought it was OK at first, but then I got a little more into it and found it very calming and relaxing. Now, with New Horizons, it has been a daily routing of wake up the baby, eat breakfast, start AC:NH. It is our background clock all day, and it is a very calming, soothing game to play after a stressful day of work and just general life. Love just hopping in and catching up with the animals. I don't know that it will ever beat out my top favorite game of all time (Banjo-Tooie) but it has quickly made its way into my top 5 favorite games because of the little bits of joy it brings me.

 

[CrankyCupcake]

@CrankyCupcakeYou said "no goal" - there some games meeting this criteria, like "Cube World" called by many biggest failure. Pure freedom is not enough. I thing freedom must be delivered in proper way, to give us (players) opportunity to enjoy.
Real time, lack of depleting energy / mana / whatever is a great idea. If I'm tired - finishing playing, when I'm hungry - eating, in my real life - it's not really necessary to duplicate it in "dream world".

I do agree that having game time run in real time is not all that attractive to a lot of players who, for instance, cannot spare a lot of time to play at different times of the day. They may actually feel that having the game run in real time is a disadvantage of sorts and impedes their enjoyment of the game.

The reasons I listed that I felt made AC a unique game are general as well as personal observations. As I've mentioned, there are as many reasons for AC being a good game as there are people playing the game. Every player who loves AC finds in AC a particular bundle of joy that is a combination of many different positive aspects of the game, that contribute to their personal enjoyment. So, what is charming and enjoyable to one player may not be so to the next player.

I've never played Cube World so I can't comment on it. Freedom in a well-made sandbox or simulation game is, I feel, always a plus. For instance, The Sims franchise. I played The Sims 2 into the ground. I not only played the game but I also spent an inordinate amount of time making custom content and creating machinima with it. There are players who didn't even play the actual game. They simply spent all their time creating beautiful houses they shared with others. Or making mods and hacks for those of us who want them. We all enjoyed the game so much, but in so many different ways.

A sandbox game has no goal in the sense that there is no "game over" stage for a player to reach. There is no point at which you beat the game and the story is over and the credits roll and you (sometimes) get to play a new game plus mode.

"What makes Animal Crossing such a good game?"

I believe there are many different answers to your question. The reasons will vary because gaming is such a personal experience. There are also people who will say that AC is not a good game, and they will give you many reasons why they consider this to be so.

I hope the game continues to engage you and give you many happy and satisfying moments. If you don't want spoilers to mar your experience, do be a little careful when you read forums and social media posts on AC. In time, you will discover what it is about AC that works for you. We'd love to know.

 

[eko]

@Monokuma73 Oh I absolutely agree! Animal Crossing has been both a blessing and a curse, on one hand I would probably be much more productive without it but I would also be significantly more miserable.

Hmm, I don't think I've heard about Tomodachi Life before? The faces look quite uncanny and creepy though (at least in my opinion haha) which is another charm factor that Animal Crossing has, the villagers are so adorable!

Community ties in perfectly with the question! I'm familiar with the community on tbt, tumblr and twitter (reddit was a bad experience and discord servers I've hardly interacted with) so I'd be inclined to say that friendlier people actively play the game rather than it teaching people to be better. There was this one popular Animal Crossing youtuber who charged $200 to landscape your island and you had to mail her your switch, she was also very openly and aggressively homophobic. Reddit had really crude players, there was an "autismland" island where the player was dressed as a baby and another player named their island "corona" who decorated their island with trash, a chinese themed market with animals on display while they were wearing a gasmask, it was really insensitive and the last trade a player told me to "gtfo" because I looked gay. Thankfully my family never got into Animal Crossing as they found the gameplay "too boring", but I've read horror stories of brothers destroying their sibling's town in new leaf... so unfortunately I definitely don't think the game encourages people act nicer or more friendly, it would be amazing if it did teach empathy or to be more accepting of others, but that just doesn't seem to be the case sadly
However with that said, that makes it all that much more wonderful and appreciative of how lovely everyone on tbt is! The feedback system is probably the biggest reason to thank for this but it might also be due to being focused on Animal Crossing, while other social medias don't have any particular fandom/topic in mind?

 

[saucySheep]

I was tempted by it before i knew pretty much anything ab the series.
I'm just a simp for cute things and design so i mean

 

[John Wick]

It used to be great villager dialogue and a massive amount of unique items.

Now we have neither.

 

[saucySheep]

It used to be great villager dialogue and a massive amount of unique items.

Now we have neither.

oof ikr ;c such a disappointment

 

[Monokuma73]

I do agree that having game time run in real time is not all that attractive to a lot of players who, for instance, cannot spare a lot of time to play at different times of the day. They may actually feel that having the game run in real time is a disadvantage of sorts and impedes their enjoyment of the game.

I know, AC is time consuming... maybe I will make an assumption, more than other games. It's always something worth to do, another bug or fish, another daily challenge or just fulfilling own idea and chase it.
Sometimes when I'm playing late evening, village become more quiet and start thinking - if someone just have time to play and has lack of daily joy and experience. But maybe - there's something I'm loosing too, for example I'm not playing during the night.

I've never played Cube World so I can't comment on it. Freedom in a well-made sandbox or simulation game is, I feel, always a plus. For instance, The Sims franchise. I played The Sims 2 into the ground. I not only played the game but I also spent an inordinate amount of time making custom content and creating machinima with it. There are players who didn't even play the actual game. They simply spent all their time creating beautiful houses they shared with others. Or making mods and hacks for those of us who want them. We all enjoyed the game so much, but in so many different ways.

I really tried to like The Sims back then, but I think it was so much of adult life in this simulation. As an adult person, I don't really like to play in any simulation related to work or daily activities, for example - as I'm driving car I will not enjoy to play any racing games. I promised myself I will give a chance for The Sims 3 & 4 but always was something better so I may consider The Sims franchise as abandoned for me.

I hope the game continues to engage you and give you many happy and satisfying moments. If you don't want spoilers to mar your experience, do be a little careful when you read forums and social media posts on AC. In time, you will discover what it is about AC that works for you. We'd love to know.

I'm always trying to know less than more. I do prefer experience most of the game myself. Watching trailers, reviews I'm trying to mostly focus on player experience or just final note, instead of watching the content. If / when I will feel I stuck or maybe when feel I've done everything is possible, than I will start to look for knowledge.

@Monokuma73 Oh I absolutely agree! Animal Crossing has been both a blessing and a curse, on one hand I would probably be much more productive without it but I would also be significantly more miserable.

Hmm, I don't think I've heard about Tomodachi Life before? The faces look quite uncanny and creepy though (at least in my opinion haha) which is another charm factor that Animal Crossing has, the villagers are so adorable!

Community ties in perfectly with the question! (...)

I must admit I would like more content for AC, but content perfectly made (as it is) and with common sense and feeling the extra content belong to this game / series. Tomodachi Life - is more related to human, to real life opposite to AC where we are living in a "dreamland" where we have amazing animal characters and despite of their behaviour every single one is adorable.

Community... always is someone who shouldn't be.