I don't know about you, but all of this talk about Animal Crossing: New Leaf--or Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori, for those playing the just-released Japanese version--has me feeling a little, well, crazy.
What talk, you ask? For starters, there are blog posts like Chic Pixel's "Initial Animal Crossing: New Leaf Impressions" and "Gratuitous Animal Crossing 3DS LL/XL Photo Shoot"--both of which I've read and re-read more times than I'd prefer to admit over the last few days.
And then there's the spate of ads and promo videos that have been released in the wake of the Japanese iteration's release on Nov. 8. My favorite so far:
As for how I've been trying to quell this bout of Animal Crossing craziness: Would you believe I decided late last week to start a new town in the GameCube-based original?
My wide-eyed character, Mimi, is still getting a feel for the burgh she now calls home--Miminton, whose name was inspired by the import-only Wii game, Captain Rainbow--but I think both she and I will settle in soon enough. I just hope I don't settle in to the extent I did the last time I played it--as that experience lasted 80 hours (or more) and at least eight months.
Are any of you chomping at the bit to get your hands on this 3DS game? If so, has that desire caused you to make a return trip to the towns you created in the first Animal Crossing or in Wild World or City Folk?
I know that I alrdady told you that in an other comment to one of your posts but I started playing the series with Wild World on NDS so thats the best part in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhat me really disturbed when I played the Gamecube-title someday was that it was a hughe effort to identify the fossils. Everytime you find a fossil, you have to insert every single one in a different envelope and send it away. I think it's one of the best Gamecube titles after all but not my favourite Animal Crossing title. But even though I loved Wild World, I sticked to City Folk a way longer time. I can't name the exact amount of time I played it but it was over some years.
Now I just need the new 3DS title so bad!
I'm quite sure it'll be my highlight in 2013 :D
By the way have you ever watched the Animal Crossing-anime-movie?
I bought it on DVD from Japan some time ago and it is really cute!
Of course the DVD is in japanese but I also downloaded the movie with english-subtitles.
What I love the most about it is that so many original game-characters are shown in it.
No joke: Animal Crossing is (and has been) my most anticipated 3DS game. With how similar the past three games have been, this is the first to feel like a proper sequel to me.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Melody! Oh, yes, I agree with what you have to say about identifying fossils in the original Animal Crossing. To day it's annoying would be the understatement of the year, I think. You do get used to it after a while, though -- or at least I have.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I've said this here before, but I really am not a fan of the DS version. Although its graphics are, in some ways, a step up from the original, they're a step down in other ways (such as resolution). I could deal with that, but what I can't deal with is the stuttering frame rate. Ahhh!
I actually started another town on my Wild World cart the other night as well, just to see if I'd like it more than I remembered liking it, but I gave up on it after an hour or so.
For me, the first Animal Crossing and City Folk are the ones to play at the moment (if you can't understand the Japanese in New Leaf, I mean), Wild World coming in a distant second.
I haven't watched the Japanese Animal Crossing movie, by the way. I've seen screenshots of it and it looks adorable, though!
Hello Alex! Oh, I understand how you feel -- New Leaf is my most anticipated 3DS game of the coming year, too. I can't wait to get my hands on it! And, yes, it will be nice to play a version of this series that is quite different from the ones that came before it. Not that I minded the earlier sequels mind you, but this one looks to be pretty refreshing in comparison.
ReplyDeleteWell if you're interested I can send you the downloaded version with english subs to your email-adress :)
ReplyDeleteCompressed of course.
P.S. I know what you mean. I was never really impressed of the graphics on the DS-title either. But to be honest all 3D-titles for DS had graphics which leave a lot to be desired. That and the fact that Wild World was my first Animal Crossing game were the reason why it never bothered me so much.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'm interested, Melody. Is it small enough that you could actually send it to me via e-mail?
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, all or at least most 3D games on the DS were a bit 'challenged' when it came to graphics. Still, not all of them chugged/stuttered like Wild World. That said, I understand why it holds a special place in your heart :)
ReplyDeleteI'll try :)
ReplyDeleteOK! And don't worry about it if it won't work, OK?
ReplyDeleteHi there Bryan. I could send it per mail but in 4 parts. If you want it in one I would need a messenger-adress. Just tell me what you prefer :)
ReplyDeleteWould sending it in four parts be a hassle for you? If not, let's go with that!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I never really into this series. What's the appeal? Perhaps I'm missing something.
ReplyDeleteFor me? I guess I just like being plopped into a quaint world filled with anthropomorphic animals who interact with me as I decorate my home, fish, dig up fossils, catch insects, etc.
ReplyDeleteI've never actually thought about it in such terms, though, to tell you the truth. I pretty much knew while reading about the first Animal Crossing (GC version) that it would be something I'd enjoy, and that was proven true during my first time playing it.
Anyway, I think a big part of the appeal for me is that it's relaxing. Also, it's so damn charming, and the music is so wonderful, that I can't help but love every minute I spend with it.
Really, I think it's one of those games that either speaks to you or doesn't. If you've tried playing one of the games in the series and it just didn't "click" with you, there's nothing wrong with that, IMO.
I have a feeling a lot of what's making you nuts are all the pictures I'm posting! Sorry! I've got a bit crazy for it, too
ReplyDeleteNo! No, please don't think that, Anne. I'm loving the photos you're posting! Honestly, I'd be crazy like this even if no one was posting photos or videos of the game. And, really, it's a pretty minor thing to have to deal with/worry about in the scheme of things, don't you think? So, please don't give a second thought to posting more photos of your New Leaf experience :)
ReplyDeleteHey Bryan! Sorry for letting you wait. I'm have a pneumonia and don't feel so well. At the moment I use my laptop in bed but the AC-movie is on my stationary pc. I will send it to you as soon as possible. Sorry again.
ReplyDeleteOh, no need to be sorry. Just get better, OK?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this, Bryan. It's a love it or hate it kind of game, really. I instantly fell in love with the concept of it because my friends and I used to talk about a game where you could just settle down and live your life the way you saw fit...and this fit that bill to a certain extent. It's not flashy and it's not fast paced, but it's satisfying on a level that a lot of thrilling new releases aren't.
ReplyDelete'A game where you can just settle down and live your life the way you see fit' -- I think that's a pretty spot-on description of Animal Crossing, Justin!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure some folks wish there was more to do in Animal Crossing -- hell, I've often felt that way myself -- but I still enjoy it as is.
That said, it sounds like there's a LOT more things that can be done in this iteration -- and being mayor is just one of those things. For some weird reason, I'm really looking forward to getting behind the counter at the coffee shop :)
I've been playing City Folk for the past month. Even Wii U couldn't stop it. I simply play on Wii BC channel.
ReplyDeleteNew Leaf, the 3DS game seems to be more of a management/life sim.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, along with The Sims, AC games were basically simulation games that let you making a living, pay off your house and collect stuff. That's it.
But there's a lot of charm to the way Animal Crossing is presented, and there are seasonal events, weather, AI quests etc.
Thanks for adding your two cents, Dexter! So, I'm guessing you're an Animal Crossing fan, too--or am I just reading into your comment a bit too much?
ReplyDeleteAh, I guess you just answered the question I left on your other comment. You *are* an Animal Crossing fan! And not only that, but you like CIty Folk, which means you've just gained my undying respect :) I say that because I really, really enjoyed City Folk and I've never really understood the hate it seems to get on the Internet--even from folks who generally like the series. Anyway, I look forward to playing with you and others when New Leaf comes out--assuming you have a 3DS, of course!
ReplyDeleteI've been a fan for a very long time. Started with the GameCube like yourself.
ReplyDeleteRE: City Folk, I think the online is what really got people down. I know it gets hammered for lack of innovation, but if they actually managed to make WiiConnect24 work as intended, and have a better friending system, it could have been huge.
Still, it is the most streamlined AC game.
HUGE fan :)
ReplyDeleteYou and me both! REALLY can't wait for New Leaf to come out...
ReplyDeleteYes, you're completely right about City Folk's online aspect. It's good to hear, though, that it seems Nintendo has made great strides in that department with New Leaf.
ReplyDelete