Animal Crossing's Epic Transformation: Unveiling the Ultimate Minecraft-inspired Adventure!
Revitalizing Animal Crossing's iconic Museum with inspiration from Minecraft's latest update, the next installment could introduce exciting archeology features to breathe new life into this beloved feature
The Animal Crossing series has been known for its emphasis on discovery and customization, much like Mojang's Minecraft. However, their directions differ, with Minecraft being more adventurous. While Minecraft focuses on surviving dangers and uncovering secrets in a sandbox world, Animal Crossing allows players to make themselves at home in a new town. Nevertheless, both games share the theme of making the most out of what players have.
Despite their similarities, there is one significant difference between these two beloved "cozy" games. Minecraft receives frequent updates and improvements, while Animal Crossing has experimented with new features at the expense of the original game's charm. Although not everything in Animal Crossing has improved over time, the game could benefit from adopting some of Minecraft's strategies.
Animal Crossing's Museum Could Use a Refresh
In the Animal Crossing series, players have the opportunity to contribute to a small, empty museum in their towns and islands. Catching fish and bugs, unearthing fossils, and acquiring rare paintings are considered significant accomplishments by fans of the game. However, the museum itself has had minimal updates since its original version in the GameCube game from 2001. While new bugs and fish have been added over time, and players must start anew with each new game, the museum lacks the same level of excitement and innovation seen in other aspects of Animal Crossing. Compared to the introduction of the ordinances system in New Leaf and the extensive customization options in New Horizons, the museum's layouts in each game are no longer satisfactory. However, Minecraft may have a solution to this problem with a new feature.
Minecraft's Archeology Features
The new archeology features in Minecraft were consistently delayed until the recent Trails & Tales update. These features allow fans to discover artifacts and more by using the brush tool on peculiar blocks and marks in the sand. Since the release of the Trails & Tales update, players have been enjoying the exploration it offers, eagerly searching for every new Decorated Pot among other things.
Originally intended to be part of the Caves & Cliffs update in 2021, archeology was meant to add depth to the game's caves. With the introduction of more realistic cave generation and other game-changing items, the Caves & Cliffs update brought new surprises to Minecraft. Although the archeology aspect was added later, it breathed new life into familiar cave journeys, making them exciting in a whole new way.
Similar to how archeology revitalized an old aspect of Minecraft, implementing a similar system in the Animal Crossing museum could bring new life and excitement to a feature that has remained unchanged for two decades. The only significant change to the museum has been Blathers gaining the ability to assess fossils himself, eliminating the need for fans to send them to a separate museum for verification, as was required in the original Animal Crossing GameCube title. By allowing fans to go on their own fossil excavations and identify their discoveries, a thrilling mini-game could be created, expanding the possibilities of Animal Crossing beyond a single town and location. Should Nintendo choose to pursue it, this could greatly enhance the overall experience of Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is currently available for the Nintendo Switch.
