Those who play the games of theAnimal Crossingfranchise enjoy them for the amount of replayability they provide. The many things they can do, even as far back as the first mainline entry, ensure they spend countless hours on what they’re playing. Being able to capture many varieties of bugs and fish or buyingthe most essential items for the island inAnimal Crossing, for instance, is why many of the games are still being played today.
Every entry in theAnimal Crossingfranchise allows players to do nearly anything they please. While there is usually a main goal like paying off one’s home mortgage or bringing civilization to a once uninhabited island, there is no rush to fulfill it. Instead, players may focus on recreational activities like fishing, bug collecting, and decorating and continue to do so even after they’ve accomplished their primary objectives. This gives the games a replay value that most others do not possess. With that said, the next mainline entry in theAnimal Crossingfranchise has the opportunity to become the most replayable one yet, and it can do so by giving players a feature that the previous titles have yet to do: the ability to design their furniture and decor.
Why Letting Players Make Their Own Furniture and Decor Gives More Replay Value to the Next Animal Crossing
If there’sone feature that the nextAnimal Crossingshould go deeper with, it’s the ability to make custom designs. WhileNew Horizonshas allowed players to create unique patterns and colors for most of their items, that ability can be widened in a succeeding mainline entry. The nextAnimal Crossingcould completely change the feel of the series if it incorporates the idea of creating unique furniture and decor designs in-game. Being able to produce unique designs for furniture or decor can increase the game’s replayability in a few significant ways:
How Else the Feature Can Affect the Next Animal Crossing
If given the ability to create unique designs for furniture and decor, it wouldn’t need to stop there. Making something with one’s creativity opens up the door for other areas of opportunity; for example,the nextAnimal Crossingcan take villagers to the next levelby letting players produce their own inhabitants.
Allowing people to choose thelooks and personalities of their environment’s residentsgives a huge sense of freedom on the same level as the design feature. It can also lead to more creativity-related ideas, such as being able to customize the museum interior and choosing what items can be displayed in stores.
ThenextAnimal Crossingcould take customization to the next level if it lets players make their own furniture and decor. By giving them such a high level of creative control, they would likely keep playing well beyond its intended lifespan. Should it ever happen, the franchise’s evolution will step in a direction that could change the social simulation game genre for the better.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
