I am the worst mayor in the world. I’m reminded of this fact constantly by my significant other, who has quickly become a kid-wonder in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Animal Crossing has always been a game that requires a certain amount of attention. In the past, that’s pretty much just meant keeping your town in check, doing errands for your villagers, and then calling it a day. New Leaf, however, is completely different in this regard, and it’s taken me so long to fully realize this.
To be fair, it’s also taking seeing how my girlfriend is an absolute professional at the game, too. Seriously, she’s the best and interacts with her villagers so often the game turns into an episode of “The Real World” at times with how her citizens gossip and chatter. These were things that I had never experienced, however. Part of it was probably due to the fact that I gave up my duties as mayor to become a Pokemon Master. Another part was that I just didn’t care enough to converse with my neighbors. Sure, I enjoyed talking to them and developing relationships, but I had a bigger focus on personalizing both my home and my village.
Little did I know what was waiting to be discovered.
The people within Animal Crossing: New Leaf are varied in both appearance and personality. They’ll grow attachment to the player — which is expected — but also other non-playable characters (NPCs). They’ll hang out together, have parties, walk in the village, and eventually, should you poke and prod enough, talk about them behind their backs. It’s as if the game rewards your constant chit-chat with the juiciest of gossip. It’s as if the game is encouraging you to constantly converse with your neighbors in the most unorthodox manner possible.
Consider how most people play Animal Crossing: do jobs for bells, create public works projects, decorate both your home and the city, rinse and repeat until you see fit. What’s missing here is mingling with the townsfolk, something that doesn’t offer a “tangible” reward. Instead, the reward has proven to be enhancing your relationship with them. It’s easy to get attracted to certain characters based on appearance and attitude. The more you talk with them, however, the more realistic they appear. They’ll tell you about everything, from how they feel about the new animal who just moved in across the street or why they star gaze at three-in-the-morning.
This “hidden” depth within Animal Crossing: New Leaf helps bring a new appreciation for the game. It’s not just about gaining material items, but instead growing to appreciate your neighbors and building friendships.
Or, you know, kicking out that annoying person you despise with every ounce of your body.
