Animal Crossingmay be one of the most successful cozy video gaming franchises, but it shouldn’t be afraid to borrow tricks from other games in the genre.Disney Dreamlight Valleyhas proven itself as a perfect competitor to theAnimal Crossingfranchise, though the games differ enough for players to enjoy both games. Nevertheless,Disney Dreamlight Valley’s approach to one of its key features could be beneficial toAnimal Crossinggoing forward.
BothDisney Dreamlight ValleyandAnimal Crossingrequire important toolsas part of gameplay. However, the two games differ in their approach to their tools and how they evolve throughout gameplay.
Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Royal Tools
As part ofDisney Dreamlight Valley’s latest DLC expansion pass, the game introduced a new Royal Tool to join the base game’s existing set. Thebase game Royal Toolsare made up of a fishing rod, a pickaxe, a watering can, and a shovel. These tools are integral toDisney Dreamlight Valley’s gameplay, explaining their inclusion in the base game.
In comparison, the Royal Tools introduced in the A Rift in Time expansion and in the Storybook Vale expansion are specific to gameplay features introduced in both expansion packs. A Rift in Time’s Royal Hourglass is used to detect and extract Mist and to remove the Swirling Sands on Eternity Isle, a DLC specific location. Storybook Vale’s Royal Net is used tocapture Snippets, which were first introduced in this new DLC.
This exclusivity not only expands upon existing gameplay, making this new gameplay easy for players to adjust to, but still remains fresh enough to excite players. Simply put,adding new Royal Toolsin the game’s DLC brings a more significant twist to the initial gameplay than players are used to. This may seem like a simple approach to new content, but it makes all the difference inDisney Dreamlight Valley.
Animal Crossing’s Potential Approach
This approach is one thattheAnimal Crossingfranchiseshould certainly keep in mind as its next installment proceeds in development. While theAnimal Crossingfranchise tends not to focus on DLC, a futureAnimal Crossinginstallment could change that by puttung twists on well established gameplay in the franchise post-launch.
Bare-bones approaches to this method could include, once again, changing the location that players take care of.Animal Crossing: New Horizonssaw players overseeing an island rather than just a village. While some may find farming games overwrought in the cozy gaming genre, anAnimal Crossingfarming simulator could draw in a large audience - especially if it is treated like Happy Home Paradise and is an add-on to the base game.
At the very least, farming gameplay could be one type of feature that could be expanded upon in afutureAnimal Crossinggame. Currently, farming is only used to grow certain vegetables. With activities like fruit picking and collecting housed in their own specific gameplay, combining certain aspects or reworking them entirely could make these tried and true features feel fresh.
Animal Crossing Tools
IfAnimal Crossingwanted to directly emulateDisney Dreamlight Valley, a future installment could refresh or add new tools to players’ tool ring. LikeDisney Dreamlight Valley,Animal Crossingalso requires players to use fishing rods, nets, shovels, axes, and watering cans. However, the next game’s approach to DLC and updates could add new tools, withAnimal Crossingdeepening the day-to-day gameplay through additional mechanics.
WhileNew Horizonsadded the diving suit, which could be viewed as a functional tool, tool additions can and hopefully will be more prevalent in the next game.
While this approach may seem simple, the changeAnimal Crossingcould enact in future installments if itborrows this approach fromDisney Dreamlight Valleycould make gameplay even better. At the end of the day, new titles in a video game franchise seek to improve upon their predecessors, andAnimal Crossingshould be no different.
Animal Crossing
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to town! It’s time to move to Animal Crossing. the real-life game that’s happening every second of every day, whether you’re there or not!- Get to know your town. Meet your neighbors, buy a house, and furnish it however you like.- So much to do! Plant trees, pull weeds, go shopping, run errands - or just go fishing.- Get three friends to move to your town or travel to a friend’s town to see what’s up.
