When do one-square pathways become too much?

[skarmoury]

I've seen a ton of bad reviews on one-square pathways, and I just wanna ask, when do you know it's too much?

I have some one-square pathways, but they take probably 3-5 seconds to get through. These are just in some places where I think 2 spaces feels a bit too much, or that I'm lacking in space. I never make them too long because I start to feel uncomfortable.

I want my island to be open for everyone, even for claustrophobic people. I'm claustrophobic myself and haven't had major problems navigating my pathways, but maybe some do.

edit: Most pathways are 2-3 spaces wide, I only use short 1-space pathways in selected areas but I do make sure to make wider roundabouts in case people visiting want another way to navigate the area. Basically, you absolutely don't need to pass these pathways when going around my island.

Spoiler: this is what one of my one-square pathways looks like

P.S.: The pathway at the back with the bamboo lamps is 2 spaces wide! it's really only this pathway with the bamboo dolls that's one space wide.

edit 2: thank you to everyone who gave their insights! I might just remove the hedges to make it feel less crammed (I still love the bamboo dolls and have been wanting to make a bamboo doll pathway in a long time LOL)

 

[JellyBeans]

I think a lot of it is down to personal preference but your one wide path looks super cute! for me I wouldn't want one wide paths to dominate two wide paths throughout my island - some areas it just looks more natural to have a thinner path and that's totally fine, I just personally wouldn't want the confinement of one wide paths all throughout my island.

 

[Manah]

When they exist.

Don't worry, yours doesn't look like a problem at all, I just would never want to have them on my own island (or build fences/hedges around paths at all).

 

[Pyoopi]

I don't have problems with that kind of navigation of how you used your small paths. It's very direct and there's no error of "oops I shredded someone's flowers" on the itty bitty path. I mean, I would never suddenly haul ass on anyone's island unless they say running is okay or it's a friend's island (just putting that out there)

My thing is when I start feeling smushed, it's because I have to start shimmying around.

 

[DawnAri]

personal preference! I like 2 squares for my main paths but for smaller spaces, or spaces that I feel are more private, I love using 1 square paths (that barely looks like paths, I'll include a picture to show what I mean)

I think your path is very cute and pretty btw! it doesn't feel like 1 square because the actual rock path is still 2 squares wide, I think that's a smart idea and I might put some items on my 2 square paths too c: they also look easy on the eye and easy to navigate, I don't think anyone would feel bad walking there

edit: I think as long as there is a clear path/way to follow, I don't feel cramped. I only feel that way when I can't walk around anywhere,
or when it's a spot filled with items and you have to make those weird jumps the whole time just to walk around

Spoiler: some places where I've used one square paths

 

[skarmoury]

I think a lot of it is down to personal preference but your one wide path looks super cute! for me I wouldn't want one wide paths to dominate two wide paths throughout my island - some areas it just looks more natural to have a thinner path and that's totally fine, I just personally wouldn't want the confinement of one wide paths all throughout my island.

I agree, I do think thinner paths look better in some places as long as the paths are short! I definitely prefer having main roads around 2-3 spaces wide. I've also made roundabouts in case some people prefer not to go through the one-space wide paths, but in essence my 1-square-path places are definitely not areas you're required to go through to appreciate the whole island. And yeah, they're pretty short so I personally don't think it's that bad, but that's just me.

I've visited some places that absolutely require you to shimmy through their crammed spaces to move forward to other places and it's just makes me feel all weird. One of them even had cliffs as fences and I just went nope I'm out of here. I couldn't even see myself. Pretty sure that island was almost complete given the amount of detail in their open areas, but to use cliffs as fences in a one-square area is the most major turn-off for me to date.

 

[MindlessPatch]

Most of my cliff area has 1 space wide paths but visitors to my island don't really go up there unless it's a friend of mine and I'm showing them around. The only time they bother me is when one of my villagers decides to sit in the path and then I have to walk around but this is super rare as only one of my villagers has a house on the cliffs and it's only a very short path
Other spots are my bamboo area and outside Shep's house but those are closed off secluded areas also once again won't get visitors really going through there unless I'm showing them around.
Oh and I don't line my paths with fences or anything - occasionally tree or bush maybe a street light but mostly flowers, and if someone ran them over it wouldn't bother me. So you can walk along them pretty freely it's just if a villager sits in front of one of the trees that you have to walk around the tree or walk out on flowers on opposite side.

 

[JellyBeans]

I agree, I do think thinner paths look better in some places as long as the paths are short! I definitely prefer having main roads around 2-3 spaces wide. I've also made roundabouts in case some people prefer not to go through the one-space wide paths, but in essence my 1-square-path places are definitely not areas you're required to go through to appreciate the whole island. And yeah, they're pretty short so I personally don't think it's that bad, but that's just me.

I've visited some places that absolutely require you to shimmy through their crammed spaces to move forward to other places and it's just makes me feel all weird. One of them even had cliffs as fences and I just went nope I'm out of here. I couldn't even see myself. Pretty sure that island was almost complete given the amount of detail in their open areas, but to use cliffs as fences in a one-square area is the most major turn-off for me to date.

I 100% agree about the shimmying! a lot of the time one wide paths can look super cute (@DawnAri i love yours!!) but if i have to shimmy or if I can't see myself, it's just not for me

 

[skarmoury]

personal preference! I like 2 squares for my main paths but for smaller spaces, or spaces that I feel are more private, I love using 1 square paths (that barely looks like paths, I'll include a picture to show what I mean)

I think your path is very cute and pretty btw! it doesn't feel like 1 square because the actual rock path is still 2 squares wide, I think that's a smart idea and I might put some items on my 2 square paths too c: they also look easy on the eye and easy to navigate, I don't think anyone would feel bad walking there

edit: I think as long as there is a clear path/way to follow, I don't feel cramped. I only feel that way when I can't walk around anywhere,
or when it's a spot filled with items and you have to make those weird jumps the whole time just to walk around

Spoiler: some places where I've used one square paths

View attachment 299627 View attachment 299628
View attachment 299629 View attachment 299630

OH!!! That looks really lovely!!! <333 I don't even feel it to be one space wide! The flowers and small items give the path much breathing space despite the walkway being only one space wide.
And yeah when I make 1-space paths I do make sure there looks like there's some space in the sides as well, so between the hedges and the bamboo dolls there's a 0.5 space between so everything in the sides doesn't look crammed. There's still breathing space in the sides even though you can't walk through them. c:

 

[Suspicious Cupcake]

Your path looks great! It really looks like it's wider than 1 tile because of how you used the items on the paths~

Like others have said, I think 1-tile paths are good unless you're having to dodge items the entire way through.

Though I can't say much about that myself. In my more developed areas I have 2 wide paths, but up in my mountains I have a winding 1 tile path. It's not supposed to be a set-in-stone path though. It's more just a general guide like "Hey, go this way!" There are a few spots on the path that are kinda awkward to walk, but it's kinda intentional.

Spoiler: Screenshot of Mountain Path

 

[skarmoury]

Your path looks great! It really looks like it's wider than 1 tile because of how you used the items on the paths~

Like others have said, I think 1-tile paths are good unless you're having to dodge items the entire way through.

Though I can't say much about that myself. In my more developed areas I have 2 wide paths, but up in my mountains I have a winding 1 tile path. It's not supposed to be a set-in-stone path though. It's more just a general guide like "Hey, go this way!" There are a few spots on the path that are kinda awkward to walk, but it's kinda intentional.

Spoiler: Screenshot of Mountain Path

View attachment 299631

Ahhh your pathway looks pretty!! I think your 1-tile pathways looks totally fine, it doesn't feel all that crammed or needing to dodge the items I believe anyone visiting can understand from the get-go that it's meant to be a guide!

 

[dizzy bone]

I use 1-square pathways but I try not to have it be “confined” by any objects items and it’s usually random and not linear. It’s more of a suggestion of a route than something you have to stick to (and also because the path looks nice). Technically this is more of a 2-3 wide path going diagonally:

If I am making straight/linear 1-square paths I try to keep it as short as possible or make sure there’s lots of open space or views around it so it doesn’t feel cramped:

This is a 1-square that wraps around a cliff so you can jump to Erik’s area and also get to this viewing point. But it‘s quite short (and a small detour from the main 2sq path) and I think the view below helps it not feel as tight even though you are essentially hugging the edge.

 

[skarmoury]

I use 1-square pathways but I try not to have it be “confined” by any objects items and it’s usually random and not linear. It’s more of a suggestion of a route than something you have to stick to (and also because the path looks nice). Technically this is more of a 2-3 wide path going diagonally:

If I am making straight/linear 1-square paths I try to keep it as short as possible or make sure there’s lots of open space or views around it so it doesn’t feel cramped:

This is a 1-square that wraps around a cliff so you can jump to Erik’s area and also get to this viewing point. But it‘s quite short (and a small detour from the main 2sq path) and I think the view below helps it not feel as tight even though you are essentially hugging the edge.

Wow, your island is AMAZING, thank you for sharing!! I will definitely take your suggestion to put more "views" around one-space areas to make it feel less confined. I'm also planning a Japanese forest in my island soon, seeing your pictures inspired me!

 

[Imbri]

Where I actually have paths, mine vary between 1-4 tiles. I don't think it's a problem.

By nature, it's easier to navigate a skinny path if it's straight, making it wider if there are curves.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you like. There's always going to be someone who thinks they know what you need/want better than you do. If you change everything to make everyone else happy, it isn't your island anymore.

 

[Jhine7]

It's definitely just personal preference, yours looks great! Keep it up!

 

[airpeaches]

In one of the previous path related threads I know I made a comment about my 1 square pathways being too much, so much so it prompted me to do a rehaul. But I feel like 1 square paths can definitely be used in a way that doesn't feel or actually end up restricting gameplay! Mine were definitely not good and restricting in all the wrong ways, but just looking at yours and @dizzy bone 's they feel really open and comfortable to navigate.

I agree that maybe removing the hedges on yours will be a little more comfortable to move through gameplay-wise, but at the same time the path is quite open! Even though you're blocked on either side, it doesn't have that visually restricted feeling which I think plays a big role in using 1 square pathways in a beautiful yet effective way. So you could remove the hedges, but I don't think it would be entirely necessary unless you yourself felt uncomfortable with them. Hopefully I can learn to implement them in a good way like that someday!

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

I think one-square pathways can be cute and work really well so long as they are used sparingly! But I personally feel that for main part of the island, 2-square pathways are better for navigation.
I only have 1-square pathways in the bottom section of my neighborhood, where they lead in to my villagers' private yards and to their doorstep.

 

[Sharksheep]

I personally hate 1-wide path ways when it's not obvious where I'm suppose to go. This is more of an issue with cottage core islands that have a lot of little furniture items that in the middle of two blocks with windy paths and my character has to scooch between items to get to the other side.

I think your path looks fine. There's a clear start and end

 

[Mikaiah]

when a villager plops their butt down and you have no way of getting where you want to go, my 2wide pathways feels to small then xD

i think 1wides are cute but in my case, not too useful unfortunately. I might path out my orchard, though, in 1wides since villagers don't tend to wander there a ton actually

 

[TheSillyPuppy]

Yours looks well done and straightforward to navigate! It's a matter of personal preference really. For main paths, I stick to 2 tiles wide, which is helpful when villagers decide to randomly sit down or for when I have friends visiting. Anywhere else that's a relatively straight path (e.g. leading to villager homes, areas with less traffic), I'd be open to making it only 1 tile wide.