Summary
Animal Crossingcould find a niche for its next game by repeating a shtick that was previously used byThe Sims. TheAnimal Crossinggames are already evolving with each passing entry, particularly afterNew Horizonsgave players an entire island to explore. Considering how many wild ideasThe Simshas experimented with, it could have blazed a trail in several different directions thatAnimal Crossingcould follow. There is one gimmick in particular that would be a perfect fit for a future title, that being spin-offs with bold setting changes - and the end result could be one of the franchise’s most interesting entries.
As two of thebiggest life simulation series in gaming,Animal CrossingandThe Simshave one big factor in common. Aside from that though, the two games offer almost entirely different experiences. In addition toAnimal Crossing’s cast consisting almost entirely of animals, its main focus is on performing chores and activities around the player’s town and befriending locals, and the player takes direct control of their own character. InThe Sims, players act as more of an overseer, and the game is based on watching the Sims go through life. Both games share a genre, but offer different kinds of experiences for the player.
Animal Crossing Could Take a Hint from The Sims and Change Timelines
There have beenmany supernatural expansions forThe Simsthat have offered players more fantastical elements to play with. For a lot of players, these options spice up the game and make it more exciting than the norm. The biggest example of this idea may be the spin-offThe Sims Medieval. This game takes place entirely in a medieval kingdom, with the game taking several tropes from the fantasy genre. The daily lives of Sims changed dramatically as a result, with the game even including heroes who spend their days performing various quests. It was one of the biggest dynamic changes the series has seen.
The Sims Medievalisn’t the series' only spin-off with a storyline, withMySims Agentsbeing a full-blown adventure game.
This approach could inspire thesetting of the nextAnimal Crossing. Thus far,Animal Crossingplayers have always been growing their towns in a modern setting, and a new timeline could add a twist to the proceedings. AnAnimal Crossingin the medieval era could see a village grow into a kingdom, with villagers becoming knights and mages. The game could also go in the other direction, taking place far in the future. The player’s town could be a high-tech outpost in space, with villagers and even aliens moving in. Either approach would lead to a highly memorable turn for the nextAnimal Crossingto make.
A new time period could also be a chance forAnimal Crossingto tell a real story. Up to this point, the games have largely been sandboxes, and while events do take place, they haven’t tried to deliver a proper narrative. A game taking place in the past or future could change that. For example, a futuristicAnimal Crossinggame could see the player discovering the secrets of the planet where they built their community. Likewise, a game in the past could tell how the player’s character became the king or queen of their kingdom. Story may not beAnimal Crossing’s usual focus, but it’s still an interesting opportunity.
Thus far,Animal Crossingplayers have always been growing their towns in a modern setting, and a new timeline could add a twist to the proceedings.
Animal Crossing’s next game could benefit from a bold twist, and a change in time couldtakeAnimal Crossingto the next level. It would be the perfect excuse to experiment with new ideas, even down to the game’s basic framework.Animal Crossingcould view such a spin-off as a chance to to try a more adventurous direction, or apply a more fantastical approach to the series' familiar gameplay. WhileThe Simshas tried a lot of gimmicks, a new time period is one thatAnimal Crossingcould thrive with.
Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing is a Nintendo-exclusive life sim franchise spread across numerous Nintendo consoles. Featuring anthropomorphic villagers, strong customization, and a real-time day cycle, the Animal Crossing series offer unique and varied gameplay.
