Level up your Bells game: Animal Crossing's successor could take a leaf out of Persona's book

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, players must rely heavily on bells as their in-game currency, making even small tasks on the island essential for building up their funds. There are similarities between this life-sim approach and one half of Persona 5's gameplay, which features part-time jobs that allow players to earn money, interact with characters, and purchase more decorations for their spaces. While part-time jobs have been used in previous Animal Crossing titles, they were more like early-game tutorials rather than established mechanics. For instance, in Animal Crossing, Wild World, and City Folk, players completed tasks for Tom Nook, such as planting flowers, making deliveries to villagers, and advertising his shop on the shared bulletin board. However, the more recent Happy Home Paradise DLC for New Horizons focused on the player's job of crafting vacation homes for villagers. The next mainline title in the series could aim to strike a balance between these two approaches, separating leisure and work in a way that mirrors Persona 5.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Successor Could Add Persona-Like Jobs to Earn Bells

In Persona 5, players are encouraged to immerse themselves in the vibrant city of Tokyo, which is teeming with dining, entertainment, and shopping options. However, these activities come at a cost, requiring players to earn money in order to fully experience the game's offerings. Although Joker starts the game with little money, players can earn funds by battling enemies in Palaces or working part-time jobs, which cleverly ties into the game's mechanics. These jobs, such as working at a convenience store or a beef-bowl shop, not only provide extra cash but also help build Joker's Social Stats, making it easier to level up his Confidants in the future. Furthermore, Persona 5's emphasis on part-time jobs adds to the game's realism, contributing to a more immersive experience. In Persona 5 Royal, these sequences are made even more complex, with players being quizzed on item barcode locations during work at the convenience store. The integration of part-time jobs into the gameplay not only enhances the life-sim aspect but also makes combat more accessible through the ability to purchase better gear.

In order to further utilize the charming cast of characters in Animal Crossing: New Horizons' economy, a potential sequel could implement a Persona 5-style mechanic that focuses on building relationships with special vendors like Redd and Kicks. This could involve completing tasks for them and earning bells as a reward, while also improving the player's standing with these characters. For example, a player working for Kicks could be tasked with promoting a new pair of shoes to the villagers and choosing dialogue prompts that match each individual's personality.

Another option could be to introduce more involved mini-games that require a greater time commitment from the player. These could involve activities like memorizing button prompts or tracing lines for a sewing game centered around Sable. These mini-games could offer a greater reward in terms of bells, but players would need to weigh the benefits against other leisurely activities they could be doing instead.

Furthermore, part-time work could be tied to special events triggered by characters like Isabelle or Tom Nook, such as a food festival where players must prepare dishes based on the preferences of each villager. This would not only allow players to earn bells but also contribute to building stronger relationships with their fellow villagers.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now for the Nintendo Switch.