Summary
It’s no secret thatAnimal Crossing: New Horizonshas cemented itself as an incredibly successful addition to Nintendo’s beloved life simulation series. However, come March 2024 the game will have officially reached its four-year anniversary. While it still has a dedicated player base, there are those who are eagerly awaiting news concerningan update forAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsor the announcement of an entirely new title.
Based on the three to four-year timeline between each mainline game, a follow-up toAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsshould arrive in 2024. Though Nintendo hasn’t confirmed if it has another game in the works, it’s unlikely that the company is going to abandon one of its most profitable IPs. Regardless of whether the game is already in development or not, there are several remarkable features fromNew Horizonsthat the developers should consider putting in the next game.
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Dream Addresses
Dream addresses were first featured inNew Leafin 2012 and allowed players to dream about other places after specifying a destination. This can be advantageous for a myriad of reasons, but it’s mostly helpful for those who want to look around someone’s town without waiting for them to come online or needing to be friends. Unfortunately, dreaming wasn’t immediately available whenNew Horizonswas released, but it’s definitely a detail that should be ready on day one of the next game.
Terraforming
Terraforming inAnimal Crossingis a newer feature that can usually be unlocked after about two weeks of gameplay. Landscaping is one of the biggest draws ofNew Horizons, as several players have been able to find satisfaction in being able to mold their islands to their personal preferences. TheAnimal Crossingcommunity is well-known for their creative aspirations and terraforming is just another tool that allows them to express themselves. While the environment of the nextAnimal Crossinggame is unlikely to be an island paradise, terraforming is a characteristic that is versatile in any setting.
Wetsuits
New Leaftook exploring the depths of the ocean to the next level byallowing people to don wetsuits. As such, when it was announced that the fifth main entry to the franchise would take place in a tropical biome, it wasn’t surprising that the feature was brought back. If there are large bodies of water in any of the future installments, wetsuits are an engaging tool that should become a permanent part of the series.
The Roost
The 2005Animal Crossinggame,Wild World, introduced the player base to acozy cafe known as The Roost. This location is run by the aloof pigeon Brewster who finds joy in serving his customers different blends of coffee throughout the day. InNew Horizons, The Roost is an extension of the museum where villagers can socialize and enjoy a beverage together. This snug environment is one of the most aesthetically pleasing areas of the map that will hopefully come back in any adjoining games.
Group Stretches
While group stretching, also known as morning aerobics, has been a regular occurrence in theAnimal Crossingfranchise since the first GameCube title, it became even more significant in the 2020 installment. Of course, group stretching inAnimal Crossinghas evolved quite a bit over the years. For example,New Horizonsadded the option to use motion controls to follow along, rather than simply pressing the correct buttons. Getting to exercise with one’s favorite villagers is a pleasant experience that needs to make a return in the next game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis available now on Nintendo Switch.
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