Summary
With the nextAnimal Crossinggame, expectations are understandably high, asNew Horizons’ lightning in a bottle success saw the series soaring to new heights. Now, there are many more fans hoping to see different things inAnimal Crossing: New Horizons’ successor. Some longtime fans want certainAnimal CrossingNPCsto return or more personality among the Villagers, while others want simple quality of life upgrades such as a craft all button. However, one thing that nearly all players want is multiple save slots, though this may continue to elude the franchise.
Currently, ifAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsplayers want a new island, they are forced to start completely from scratch. This is devastating considering how much work players will put in to crafting their islands and collecting hundreds of rare items, some of which, like certain Golden Tools, can take a lot of hard work to obtain. While players may crave a fresh start after doing everything on one island and getting their Dreamies and ideal setup, most do not want to scrap the island they spent so much time on, and have instead just been waiting for a new game to release. Hopefully,Animal Crossingaddresses this criticism with its next game, even if the series’ pattern suggests it is unlikely to happen.
Why The Next Animal Crossing Could Still Lack Multiple Saves
A Lack of Saves is Not Exclusive to New Horizons
While more players have been outspoken about the issue thanks toAnimal Crossing: New Horizons' impressive sales, the franchise has always suffered from this problem. TakeAnimal Crossing: New Leaf, for instance, which only allowed players to have one town. While multiple players could move into the area, only one had the power of the mayor, meaning that everyone else would have an inferior experience. Unfortunately, this is the case withNew Horizons, as the second player lacks the building freedom of the main villager. With Nintendo notorious for sticking to its own way of doing things, it is hard to imagine it changing this approach after over a decade.
While players can back up their originalAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsislandbefore deleting it and starting fresh, if they ever want that island back, they will have to replace their new one - meaning that they lose hard work either way.
Multiple Saves Do Not Fit Nintendo’s Animal Crossing Philosophy
Unfortunately, multiple save files forAnimal Crossinggames do not fit Nintendo’s approach to the franchise. From a financial standpoint, players buying new Switches and fresh copies of the game for each family member or just to have a second island for themselves is common enough that multiple saves would mean losing money. While a paid option to purchase island slots could happen, the current approach is likely benefittingNintendo. Beyond that,Animal Crossingplayers are encouraged to work together, and having a shared island makes that more of a necessity. Plus, being able to have multiple islands could make online trading less essential, as players could get everything they want by pass items between their islands. Unique item colors would also be less meaningful.
Still, ifAnimal Crossingdoes not want to embrace the idea of saves, it has to find ways to encourage replayability. A new game plus mode where players keep their items but reset their island designs andAnimal CrossingVillagerscould work well, as would a free-build mode separate from players' main islands. Plus, if cooperation is one of the reasons for the strange one-island per account approach, then players need to have an easier time working together. Being able to give build permissions to offline co-op players as well as friends online would be a good way to do this. However, though there are alternatives, multiple saves would be worthwhile for many players, even if they are easily exploitable and could cause issues for account-based items or mechanics like Dream Islands.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. you may hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
