why does this game feel so incomplete?

[Cnydaquil]

to be honest im glad there planning to add updates for three years!

 

[tajikey]

Incomplete is an adjective that could be used for every iteration in the series, and is 100% a matter of perspective (I'm not trying to be smug, just adding to the discussion).

For me, the game has an insane amount of potential, which is crazy considering where it started.

 

[Enxssi]

It might be because they’re sticking on updates after the release?

 

[Feraligator]

I feel almost the same, but the new features are great too and I don't think I can live without terraforming / freely moving buildings / outdoor furniture etc.
I also think NH will get the PC treatment, as PC has really evolved over time and looking at it now shows such a huge improvement to the game compared to when it first released.

It's a shame my friends who enjoyed NL have already put NH down because of this reason though...the newcomers (from my friends) as well. They all think it's empty compared to NL and I can see many people feeling the same way. While I feel like it's missing so much stuff that I loved about past games I'm still playing it a lot and still eager for what's to come.

 

[voltairenism]

because it is lol

 

[InstantNoodles]

As others have said, it's probably because they intend to add more content in future updates! I'm looking forward to the addition of some of my favourite furniture sets like rococo and sloppy

 

[Romaki]

The game plays in real time, so you can't say it's incomplete until you experienced each season. Personally I was content with Spring, the terraforming and furniture outside brought a lot to the table and made stuff like pathing more fun. The mystery islands became pretty boring after the nerf and it definitely doesn't come close to Tortimer's Club. That and the furniture sets missing is a huge negative. We got all these new items for inside and outside, but it's more like playing the Sims and not Animal Crossing. And the random colors are a giant nuisance.

Either way, I can't say a $60 game is bad when it's given me 500 hours of enjoyment. I know we judge Animal Crossing on a different level and most of the criticism comes from a genuine place, but people like to ignore how New Leaf started. It was 30 days between each shop. And I don't really see too much of a difference between those two games. Diving should return, but the rest makes sense for an island setting.

 

[Bethboj]

I think they’ll be adding a lot of things over the next couple years to keep the game fresh.
I just hope they don’t wait too long between the bigger updates so people don’t totally go off the game.
I’m still enjoying it though. I’ve just unlocked terraforming so I still have a lot to do.

 

[toenuki]

glitches, lacking in furniture, some amiibo villagers and NPCs cut, waiting for updates probably

 

[monsieurberry]

As other previous commenters have said, NH blows NL out of the water for me as NL may have had more content in name but it was largely minutes work of gameplay. I have over 400 hours in NH and that’s largely because of all the things in NH that wasn’t in NL.

I will say this, however. While I feel like NH has a great and expansive foundation, more than any other AC game, NH won’t impress me unless Nintendo takes advantage of that and really makes some stellar updates. I don’t simply want New Leaf features. Let’s face it, the AC games have gotten away with replicating the same things for 20 years. NH is the first game to really shake that up but they need to keep going.

 

[Corrie]

That's because it is. It needs more furniture badly.

 

[FaerieRose]

food items

Most of food was added with Welcome amiibo, over four years after New Leaf's initial release.

 

[Tiffany]

i agree we need more furniture. i also wish we weren't locked into only getting 1 color of things in the store/nook miles shop and can't customize them. here again this is forcing us to buy the online subscription so we can trade with other people. i don't think that's fair. and i'm the person that always buys the guide cause i like having the information and the helpful lists but because they are holding back that guide doesn't have near the amount of info it should. and i get the not wanting people to get bored but look at like the sims, it was complete game right off but still added more down the line with the expansion packs to keep it interesting.

 

[pochy]

it feels especially empty with this gap of nothing to do during the summer... everybody is rushing to finish every single update that comes along so that they won't get left behind. it actually stresses me a bit lol.

i wish they implemented new festivals for summer, like maybe a summer festival like in the anime. there'd be food stands and season exclusive furniture, maybe some fireworks and sparklers, and some cute clothing! they could even add a mini game stand with redd being the vendor (like in new leaf during new year's) and prizes ranging from common to super rare!!!

okay, but that's just me fantasizing~~ haha
i just wish the game were more involved with the characters, kinda like tomodachi life

 

[Rize]

I think it's because they want to progressively give the items/updates and not all at once. I like gradually getting the NPCS/items along the way as it gives people a reason to keep coming back.

 

[Morningowl]

I believe that it only feels "empty" because people are comparing it to its predecessors. While it would be nice if they added content from old titles (and they very likely will), New Horizons isn't New Leaf 2 or Pocket Camp 2. There is plenty of content in the game, it is just different content.

Yes Yes Yes!!!!

I don't think people are fair when comparing them. What I have seen is most people compare the end of the New Leaf's Journey to the Beginning of New Horizon's Journey. Not beginning to beginning plus forgetting the welcome to amiibo wasn't until 4 years in and brought lot of furniture with it. Believe or not in a different thread about furniture initially NL and NH have roughly the same amount furniture but the notable difference at this point is there are sets from NL that have yet to make an appearance.

The Exceptions vs Reality, Its not bad to have huge expectations but unfortunately that can lead to huge disappointments. From my understanding New leaf if wanted you to you could know for most what your were getting because of the different releases dates. New horizons we didn't know what to expect(other then the directs) and the mention of free updates for a while.

Also, I do love New leaf and It okay to prefer it over New Horizons but I think people forgetting the annoying nuances that NL had too. I am curious how many have actually gone back to NL since NH came out just see to the differences for better and for worse not just relying on memory that could of been years since last played. In my opinion I have gone back and I didn't change feelings toward NL but it did make me appreciate NH more and do prefer it but everyone going to have different experiences.

Also Also Side note - Animal Crossing vs Sims is I believe is a HORRIBLE comparison, I get it those game franchises has a concept and hopefully each installment is a improvement upon that concept(Now its your opinion if they have done that or not. ) and that their communities will always debate which installment is the best .

 

[Jules]

I think looking back at AC games, there have been reasons to be frustrated at all of them. I was frustrated by ACNH at the beginning. I am still frustrated by the lack of dialogue. But the game's additions, its relaxing nature (no worrying about someone randomly moving lol), and promised updates are very satisfying.

I would agree with you though, I wish there were more events. I miss Flea Market weekend from Wild World where you could buy items from your villagers' households, I miss town tune day (La Di Da Day, a little), Gracie pulling up into your town... but we at least have the promise of more content.

 

[Xara]

a lot of things are missing, unfortunately. every animal crossing game has had something to complain about but this is the first game where a lot of features and characters that have been around since the beginning are currently missing - new horizons changed a lot and while some of it is for the better, like more decorative freedom, it also took a few steps back and took some things away, which is unfortunate. but the good news is, nintendo has a lot of things planned for this game and while it might be lacking in certain elements right now, who’s to say we won’t have a lot of it back in a years time?

 

[Blueskyy]

Because it is. We have at least 3 years before it is maybe complete. I’m happy with the game so far. I don’t want to play it for hours and hours but I still love playing each day.

 

[Baroque]

While it did remove a lot of stuff that I hope gets patched in, they did add a lot of stuff, most important of which is terraforming. This is HUGE. Unlike in ALL previous games, you can make your island look almost exactly like you want, you can even have villagers move to specific locations as opposed to them just randomly deciding to dump their houses right in front of a cool thing you were working on. Furniture can be placed outside, now, further enhancing the customization of your island! The game is no longer about just making your house look cool, you now have to make your entire island look sweet!

Like others have pointed out, it’s unfair to compare the game to say New Leaf or Pocket Camp because that’s not what the game is trying to be, it isn’t a sequel to those games. It’s doing its own thing And the truth is that it might not be for everyone, ultimately.

But yeah, I do hope stuff gets added into the game over time. Like Brewster