The Next Animal Crossing Would Be Wise to Riff on Stardew Valley in One Big Way

The Next Animal Crossing Would Be Wise to Riff on Stardew Valley in One Big Way

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that the idea of a farming-focused Animal Crossing game is nothing short of revolutionary. Having sunk countless hours into both Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley, I can’t help but see the potential for a harmonious blend of these two beloved franchises.


With the anticipated arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, there’s been plenty of buzz about potential games that will launch alongside it. Many fans are particularly hopeful for a new Animal Crossing title, given the incredible popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, every game in a series should offer something fresh to keep players engaged. The upcoming Animal Crossing game might do this by drawing inspiration from Stardew Valley.

It’s been proposed that the upcoming version of “Animal Crossing” might stand out by introducing more diverse villagers and types of villagers. This seems to be the most likely approach for setting this new game apart. Moreover, integrating farming mechanics into “Animal Crossing” could enhance its relaxing ambiance while also offering fresh gameplay options for players to explore.

Current Animal Crossing Farming

Indeed, the Animal Crossing series has experimented with farming elements throughout its evolution. A clear demonstration can be seen in the produce found in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The crops available range from carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, sugarcane, tomatoes, and wheat. These crops are primarily used for creating cooking ingredients, but they also serve as materials for crafting certain items.

In the game “Animal Crossing”, the farming mechanics could use a bit more excitement. When you plant seeds, they can take up to three days to mature completely, yielding anywhere from one to three vegetables based on how much water you provide them. For instance, if you water it twice, you’ll get three crops; once, you’ll get two; and none at all will give you just one. Once a crop is harvested, it begins growing again starting at the second stage of development.

How Animal Crossing Could Become a Farming Simulator

The watering system for crops in the game is intriguing, but it could definitely use some enhancement. One way Animal Crossing stands out from games like Stardew Valley is its real-world time functionality, while the latter operates on in-game time. Incorporating the real-time clock system of Animal Crossing into farming mechanics could offer a distinctive and engaging experience by adjusting growth periods according to crop type, maintenance requirements, and other factors.

Besides watering, cultivating crops in New Horizons relies heavily on basic farming gameplay. If Animal Crossing were to present itself as a farm that villagers could visit instead of a town or an island, it could rival Stardew Valley in popularity, given its established fame. To achieve this, the farming mechanics in New Horizons should be expanded to incorporate features like fertilizer application, plowing, and other such aspects for a more comprehensive farming experience.

In various seasons, different crops might be accessible for gathering or cultivation in a farm-based version of Animal Crossing, similar to how pumpkins have become synonymous with festivity in the game and are utilized to create Halloween items. If the game’s real-world clock were used to influence crop growth, just like in Stardew Valley, the seasons would determine which crops can be harvested or planted. This adjustment could also serve as a guide for Nintendo in deciding which additional crops to incorporate into Animal Crossing, given that the current variety is limited for this mechanic to function effectively.

New Additions to Animal Crossing’s Farming

In a potential farm-themed Animal Crossing installment, the agricultural aspects found in previous versions of Animal Crossing beyond New Horizons could be developed or enhanced. For instance, it might be intriguing to incorporate fruit trees into farming or gardening mechanics more explicitly. Instead of simply picking fruit from trees, players could instead cultivate and grow fruit in a more realistic manner. This adjustment may spark debate since it involves modifying a game mechanic that has been a staple in Animal Crossing for years. Nonetheless, Nintendo could rationalize this change by emphasizing the farm-centric theme of the hypothetical game and offering a wider variety of fruit crops to cultivate.

Essentially, we probably won’t learn much about the upcoming “Animal Crossing” game until Nintendo launches its next gaming console, and perhaps even afterwards. So, during this wait, enthusiasts can satisfy their agricultural cravings with “Stardew Valley” and experiment with farming in “Animal Crossing”.

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2024-11-16 21:35