Animal Crossing New Horizons End In Sight: What Does This Mean For The Series?

It’s been four years since a content update was released for the most recent Animal Crossing game series installment. The upcoming update will merely bring the game up to par with the Switch 2’s capabilities. Is there a chance we might get a new game, or could this be Nintendo’s version of GTA 5? This latest release has been criticized for its broken promises, transition from life simulation to primarily building games, and the overly open-ended nature of gameplay.

The Story Of A Somewhat Different Life Simulation

In 1986, Katsuya Eguchi moved to Kyoto to work for Nintendo. He still remembers it today:

“When I moved there I left my family and friends behind. In doing so, I realised that being close to them – being able to spend time with them, talk to them, play with them – was such a great, important thing. I wondered for a long time if there would be a way to recreate that feeling, and that was the impetus behind the original Animal Crossing“.

In his new city, he yearned to seize the sensation of navigating through an environment that was entirely alien to him. At first, he had no acquaintances, and everything seemed strange. It took some time for him to acclimate, but eventually, he discovered what truly mattered: the bond of family, the companionship of friends, and the support of a community.

Population: Growing!

Dōbutsu no Mori, or as it’s known in English, Animal Forest, was born out of the need for newcomers like us to find companionship when moving to a new city. Just as we meet various human residents, our digital counterparts interact with diverse animal characters living there. Initially, our neighbors might be wary of us, but over time, we develop friendships by understanding and bonding with them. Unlike traditional video games, advancement isn’t measured through levels or points, but through the relationships we build within this virtual community. The older parts of the game are filled with intrigue from hot-headed moles and cunning tanukis, adding a touch of drama to our new neighborhood experience.

A Little Bit Of Comfort

Following the massive success of New Leaf on the Nintendo 3DS, its latest sequel was unveiled in September 2018 and launched in 2020 following a lengthy development period. Given the circumstances at that time, which often restricted us from venturing outdoors, many individuals sought solace in a game with an upbeat vibe. The graphics have been updated, characters can now be tailored more uniquely to individual preferences, and your island serves as your playground, where you can modify and construct according to your creative whims.

This particular game within the series has been exceptionally successful, selling more than any other, and it’s typically been warmly accepted by critics. Nonetheless, some people don’t necessarily view this edition of the game as the true masterpiece it might seem at first glance.

Where Is Kofi?

Additionally, there’s another perspective to consider. Nintendo had pledged to enhance the game with updates. To numerous fans, this is the bare minimum, given that the game seems more like a step back compared to previous versions, and in certain aspects even strays from what many cherish about it.

As a dedicated fan, it left me somewhat puzzled that so many familiar elements from past versions seemed absent in this new iteration, making the game feel somewhat unpolished and incomplete in certain aspects: There was no cozy café to start with, no opportunities to enhance my shop or upgrades, no engaging mini-games that allowed for hours of fun with friends. Released at a time when we were all spending most of our online hours, Animal Crossing: New Horizons sparked fierce competition among us to see who could create the most stunning island paradise.

Is This Still Animal Crossing?

In addition, another factor contributed to some players feeling that the game deviated from its unique charm: Conversations with villagers started to feel repetitive since they treated you as if you were their best friends from the get-go without any gradual progression. Furthermore, the ability to terraform and customize your island made it seem like you were the sole owner, which in turn stripped away the feeling of discovery and newness that was present in New Horizons. Essentially, the game caters to players too much, which paradoxically dilutes its appeal.

Broken Promises

Initially, we were thrilled about the upcoming updates with fresh features for the game, but now it seems the novelty has worn off somewhat. The return of the café, artwork, diving, and our beloved Froggy Chair was welcome, however, beyond these additions, there hasn’t been much in terms of new content. After that update, there’s been a noticeable silence. This leaves fans, especially those who have been dedicated for decades, feeling somewhat let down. The promise was that the latest update would bring the game to the Switch 2 and enhance multiplayer stability. Yet, we can’t help but wonder what the future holds after this.

Nintendo, Your Turn

Despite Nintendo continuously updating Animal Crossing: New Horizons at a pace similar to Rockstar’s handling of GTA 5, there would be an excessive amount of updates required over the past few years for the game to genuinely feel like a fresh, new experience. Given that it has already sold an impressive 47.82 million copies and seemingly been left untouched since its release, it seems somewhat wasteful not to introduce a new installment instead.

Veteran gamers express concerns about the upcoming release potentially being overly “polished” – a trait the earlier versions arguably lacked. For some, this imperfection was actually appealing.

What was the initial section of the animal forest where you embarked on your adventure, and which villager do you often have disagreements with, and what was the first fruit you picked there?

2025-06-05 17:10