Summary
TheAnimal Crossingfranchise is full of NPCs with different looks and personalities that players can enjoy. While the standard villagers are the most common and well-known, a special variety can be encountered that offers rewards after completing certain tasks. When considering which uniqueNPCs could use an update in the nextAnimal Crossing, one in particular needs it most as its current iteration leaves a lot to be desired.
Certain characters inAnimal Crossingprovide exclusive tasks that players can complete for rewards of varying rarity and value. One of these special NPCs is called Wisp, an elusive white ghost that only appears a little before midnight and disappears near dawn. The recent iteration of the character requires players to find and bring back to him 5 wandering spirit pieces to obtain special rewards. While simple and charming, more can be done with how the character is handled, as it feels it has the potential to become more engaging and provide better rewards.
How Animal Crossing Should Change Wisp’s Spirit Hunt
While the mechanics ofhelping Wisp inNew Horizonsare sound enough for players to commit to the NPC’s task, the collectible spirits and rewards involved could use changes. Gathering the pieces and handing them over for randomized rewards can make players' efforts feel somewhat undervalued, especially if what’s given is something the player already has. One way to change it for the better is to have the spirit pieces act as currency instead of one-time items to be traded. Such a change brings benefits like:
Besides making the character more popular, these changes make finishing his task more meaningful. Giving players full control over what they can obtain will make their efforts feel more appreciated, ensuring they’ll look forward to meeting Wisp regularly. If the developers handle the update and execution well,this classic NPC could have greater significance in the nextAnimal Crossing.
The Other Benefits of Changing Wisp’s Spirit Hunt
Should Nintendo see that the changes to Wisp make him more popular and sought out, other significant characters may get the same treatment. A good example would beNew Horizon’s iteration of Pascaland how his rewards are handled. Like Wisp, players have no control over what they’ll be given for their efforts. Characters with similar mechanics can benefit from having a catalog of items that players can choose from, as the control makes the time and effort spent more worthwhile. If the nextAnimal Crossinghas new or returning NPCs that can be traded with, then such a feature could make them more compelling and memorable for the players.
Such a change could also compel Nintendo to create even more characters with exclusive currency tied only to them. Whileearning lots of Bells inAnimal Crossingcan become a mundane routine at a certain point, having other mediums of exchange to collect can help shake things up. It provides players an alternate way of acquiring the items they need or want, possibly even getting extra rewards such as exclusive decor or crafting materials. The future mainline entry could introduce new characters with their own special type of currency and prizes, giving players more things to do and look forward to.
If there’sone thing that the nextAnimal Crossingshould focus on, it’s emphasizing the significance of valuable characters like Wisp. If changing the mechanics of the adorable white ghost makes him more popular and sought out, then it helps Nintendo develop new and interesting characters or modify returning ones who operate similarly to the special NPC.
