Revolutionary Twist: The Surprising Direction Animal Crossing Could Take Next

Highlights

Animal Crossing: New Horizons served as a refreshing sanctuary amidst quarantine, whisking players away to a delightful island where their troubles melted away.

The future iteration of Animal Crossing has the potential to delve into an urban landscape, expanding upon the foundation set by Animal Crossing: City Folk.

The game has the potential to maintain its charming small-town atmosphere while introducing new elements and creating a distinct contrast between city and village settings. The future of Animal Crossing holds endless possibilities.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released during a time when many individuals were confined to their homes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided players with a temporary escape to a picturesque island, where their worries could simply fade away. This tranquil island environment, in which the game is set, serves as a perfect backdrop for a game that is designed to be revisited time and time again. As a result, this game is likely to hold a special place in the hearts of many players.

The Next Animal Crossing Game Could Be About Building Upon a City

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has undoubtedly set a high bar for future installments in the series, not only due to its notable enhancements but also because its release may not align with the specific timing when players crave a game of its nature. Nevertheless, this does not imply that the game cannot excel as a remarkable successor that ventures into unexplored territories.

A possible and intriguing direction for the next installment of the Animal Crossing franchise could be to transport players back to a bustling city environment, a concept that hasn't been explored since 2008. While Animal Crossing: City Folk may now be considered a bit dated, it still stands apart from the rest of the series by emphasizing excursions to the city, even as players reside in a charming small town.

The game's special appeal stems from the diverse range of activities it offers. Players can engage in activities such as participating in furniture bidding, attending theater sessions to explore emotions, and earning prizes through interactions with Phineas. As the previous installment, New Leaf, had limited town-building mechanics, newer players may perceive the city's options as limited. However, this creates an opportunity for improvement. The player could potentially justify their newfound power by being placed in a position to make crucial decisions, such as becoming the mayor once again or even being hired as an urban planner.

One of the highlights of New Horizons is the ability to design the layout of the village. This concept could seamlessly transition into a city setting. By combining the city's diverse shops and activities with a greater sense of freedom to determine their locations and which storefronts open up, the game would successfully incorporate the enjoyable aspects of both New Horizons and City Folk.

The player's small community feel in their home doesn't have to disappear; instead, they can choose to live in a smaller town outside the city. This town can still offer more traditional aspects of the series, such as building a house and fishing, while maintaining the slow-paced small-town ambiance. Introducing a city like this would enrich the game without compromising its characteristic small-town atmosphere. Additionally, it could introduce a new dynamic as players switch between settings, with one setting reintroducing some of the straightforwardness found in previous Animal Crossing games.

Furthermore, this concept could be incorporated into how villager personalities are portrayed in the next Animal Crossing game. Certain types of villagers may be drawn to either the city or the village, adding to the potential contrasts between the two settings. In this way, certain actions or gifts that are appreciated in the city might not hold the same value in the village, and vice versa, emphasizing the theme of small-town versus big-city mindsets.

The upcoming game will undoubtedly build upon the beloved features of New Horizons, while introducing new elements that make it a worthy successor. The vibrant world of Animal Crossing offers endless possibilities for future expansions, even extending to the creation of a bustling city. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is currently available on Nintendo Switch.