Metareview -- Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)

by Justin McElroy { Nov 18th 2008 at 2:45PM }

Paradoxically, it's the cause of the absolute saddest thing on the internet, but Animal Crossing has also been a source of joy for millions. Judging from the tepid reviews, Animal Crossing: City Folk's biggest problem appears to be not that it's more of the same joy-inducing escapism, but rather that it is the same joy-inducing escapism.

1UP (C): "Somehow, despite two previous time-sucking outings into the open world of Animal Crossing -- each fully preparing me for what to expect in a sequel -- City Folk still rouses some excitement at the prospect of collecting more rare furniture, fossils, and that one elusive bug or fish. But all of this quickly subsides upon your introduction to Tom Nook, everyone's favorite predatory lender. That's when the realization quickly sets in: This is all just the same old routine with extra goodies that do little to change things in any meaningful way."
GameDaily (70/100): "Sadly, local co-op isn't an option, the graphics look last generation and we had little fun using the WiiSpeak microphone. If you're a fan of the series, you'll want to move into this City right away. Otherwise, pay a casual visit before you settle down."
Games Master UK (80/100): "It's still a great game but fans of the DS version are going to feel short-changed by the lack of imagination in this Wii retread. For everyone who missed out last time, or if you're keen to start such an epic afresh on the TV, this may well be the family game that sends Wii Sports into permanent retirement."

Tags: animal-crossing, animal-crossing-city-folk, nintendo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Dirty @ Nov 18th 2008 2:50PM

In before Kahn flips out

tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 18th 2008 3:00PM

Even he should have seen this coming. It's a lazy cash in to the casuals. There's hardly anything new in here at all.

The Fatass of Kickassness @ Nov 18th 2008 3:02PM

In before dumb comment targeted at a typically reasonable commenter

oh wait, too late

Khan is becoming the new Fernando.

I doubt he'd excuse this anyway, because this kind of lazy cash in is inexcusable. This is the same goddamn game I played on the DS with tweaks even more minor than those found in the transition from AC to ACWW.

Killjebus @ Nov 18th 2008 3:13PM

At least when Sony was on top PS1, PS2, they kept pushing out NEW IP's, WORTHWHILE sequels with NEW ideas.

What has Nintendo done with those countless Millions that they are raking in?
NOTHING!!!!!!

Anyone still wonder why I loathed the day the Wii came out? Anyone still believe that Nintendo gives a shit? Anyone still think that Sony was more arrogant during it's time at the top than Nintendo is now? Anyone still think that a RE-HASHED GameCube is worth $250 American dollars? Anyone think that Nintendo will NOT release another OVER-priced accessory?

Those of you that have been around for a while would remember that I TOLD YOU that Nintendo would slap their long-time uber faithful in the face with the Wii. Many of you said the Wii was going to bring a Revolution in gaming.....yeah, a Revolution of a MOUNTAIN of KayRAP.

But,but,but....the Wii sells more so it MUST be better right boys and girls?

I will take my 2nd* place PS3 over the KAYRAPPY WSM anyday.

*the 360 and PS3 are the ONLY now generation systems. Just because the Wii came out in 2006 does NOT make it part of this generation.(in my opinion of course)

I don't feel sorry for those of you who are unhappy with your Wii, in fact, I fart in you general direction.

Mr Khan @ Nov 18th 2008 3:19PM

In regards to becoming the new Fernando, most of the pieces have come into place. I have a stalker, i'm recognized as the head-point of Nintendo advocacy around here, and lately i've been preemptively called out by random interlocuters.

Two steps remain:
1. My posts get voted down for no verifiable reason other than the fact that they're my posts
2. In reaction to the hostility, i quit posting here as often in lieu of greener pastures of more rational discourse and less FUD (nominally i've been pondering severing ties around here since the idiocy that's reigned supreme since E3)

J @ Nov 18th 2008 3:36PM

hmmm... -1

ryan @ Nov 18th 2008 3:42PM

-1

Your training is nearly complete. :D

samfish @ Nov 18th 2008 3:46PM

-1

FADE away...fade away so that your transformation shall be COMPLETE! MWA HAHAHAHAHAAAA!

Titanium_Orchid @ Nov 18th 2008 3:48PM

@Mr Khan

Don't go! I like having Nintendo advocate in the comments.

If you insult Afrika though, you have to leave forever.

Hyams @ Nov 18th 2008 3:53PM

Kahn's a nicer guy than Fernando though. He's more reasonable, and stuff.

I'm plenty happy with him being the head Nintendo Joystiq dude ... thing.

Here's to the Kahn!

tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 18th 2008 3:57PM

Nooo you can't go

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/b/a/2/ba25aed49e8a157dc8e047d449d5724d.jpg

It had to be done sooner or later

Jakka ( The Order of Haters of Balance) @ Nov 18th 2008 4:00PM

Yep.

Being the Devil's Advocate is always awesome.

el serpiente @ Nov 18th 2008 4:15PM

Don't ever compare Khan to Fernando.

Khan's head is also buried up Mario's ass, but at least he can spell, and is mature enough to have a conversation rationally in the face of ad hominems. I disagree with a lot of what he says, but at least the guy is a gentleman.

Killjebus @ Nov 18th 2008 4:25PM

Face grimaces, shakes.....KKKKKKKHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here here El Serpiente, Mr. KKKKKKKHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNN is as close to Nintendo as Bible Spice is to the White House.

I feel for you Mr. Khan, but I still fart in your general direction.

Killjebus @ Nov 18th 2008 4:27PM

edit

close to FERNANDOS

thanks again Joystiq for that awesome and easy to use EDIT feature.

The Fatass of Kickassness @ Nov 18th 2008 5:03PM

"1. My posts get voted down for no verifiable reason other than the fact that they're my posts"

That's already happened if you hadn't noticed. And I think that's pretty damn lame, guys.

Gehodra @ Nov 18th 2008 5:29PM

"1. My posts get voted down for no verifiable reason other than the fact that they're my posts"

Ha! Well you won't see me helping you achieve your goals. I voted you up, out of spite. You bastard.

Mr Khan @ Nov 18th 2008 5:49PM

Well i probably came off as a condescending dick in that post, a verifiable reason to down-vote me.

I mean, like, the drive-by downvotes Fernando got for a while there. Like in, say, an article about the new Sin & Punishment, if i said, "I can't wait." and then got downvoted

Stuff like that

Wiinterfang @ Nov 18th 2008 5:50PM

Why is Fernando so famous? I barely see the guy at all.

Jakka ( The Order of Haters of Balance) @ Nov 18th 2008 5:53PM

See, we've brought Fernando to fame but he considers himself too cool & popular to hang out here.

See: The Great Epic Flamewar of L.A. Noir!

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 18th 2008 10:54PM

The difference is that Fernando is a total PS3 troll. Khan is a Nintendo loyalist without being a troll. Understand?

Josh @ Nov 18th 2008 11:02PM

Oh wow, that's right. Where *is* Fernando, anyway?

hvnlysoldr @ Nov 18th 2008 11:57PM

"In regards to becoming the new Fernando, most of the pieces have come into place. I have a stalker, i'm recognized as the head-point of Nintendo advocacy around here, and lately i've been preemptively called out by random interlocuters.

Two steps remain:
1. My posts get voted down for no verifiable reason other than the fact that they're my posts
2. In reaction to the hostility, i quit posting here as often in lieu of greener pastures of more rational discourse and less FUD (nominally i've been pondering severing ties around here since the idiocy that's reigned supreme since E3)"

It's weird that I've been through most of those steps and don't post as much...

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Nov 19th 2008 12:41AM

I talk to Fernando on a regular basis over MSN. Yes, he's a bit of a Nintendo nut, but he's genuinely a good guy.

The amount of venomous hatred some of you guys have for him is baffling.

Gonna pick on his poor spelling, Serpent? Screw you, English isn't even his primary language, and he still spell better than the ignorant masses that post here.

You know why he left? Not because he thinks he's too good for Joystiq, but because the Joystiq staff (not to be confused with the anonymous blogger "Joystiq Staff") has let this place become filled with trolls such as you jackasses.

I'm not going to start some sort of "Fernando Defense Force"... but screw you guys, Fernando's an already guy. If you got over your own blinded fanboyism, you could probably see that.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Nov 19th 2008 4:21AM

*"Alright guy" in the last paragraph. Bleh.

Al2x @ Nov 18th 2008 2:50PM

No co-op play? Damn, I'm gonna tell my little cousin not to get it for Christmas.

Uncontrol @ Nov 18th 2008 2:55PM

It's sad, because I was a huge fan of Animal Crossing, but just because I enjoyed the formula previously doesn't mean I will enjoy the same formula rehashed again.

There are so many places they could go with Animal Crossing. Imagine how cool it would be if towns were composed of both players and NPCs, and instead of being a human you could pick an animal and customize it. (Of course, everyone would be Bob.) The world needs to be much bigger, with forests and mountains and caves to explore. Perhaps make a "planet" with multiple towns, and you could explore the planet and meet other people from different towns. New equipment like pickaxes so you could go mining in caves. Haunted forests where you could talk to ghosts and play games with them. And why are there not more social events in this game? There's just too much time where there's nothing to do.

Essentially I'm saying take Animal Crossing and AC: Wild World and Harvest Moon 64 and multiply it all by 10.

What made Animal Crossing initially so exciting was the sense of freshness and exploration and wonder. While I can see this new game being interesting for people who've not played the series before, for those of us that have played the previous two installments, City Folk is just more proof that Nintendo has become stagnant and comfortable to rest on its laurels as its profits increase.

zeldazeppelin @ Nov 18th 2008 5:33PM

Yeah I agree man. I was just really disappointed with this one.

Shagittarius @ Nov 18th 2008 2:55PM

Isn't this just like Home except with grinding?

Gehodra @ Nov 18th 2008 6:48PM

I don't want to see characters composed of 10 polygons grinding. That would be creepy.

Roto13 @ Nov 18th 2008 2:56PM

Yeah, that's what I was expecting. I knew this was coming after playing Wild World and realizing it was pretty much the same thing as the first Animal Crossing with a few new features. This is just more of the same, it seems.

An interloper who normally would post under his own name but decided to do this just for kicks. @ Nov 18th 2008 3:02PM

More Wii hotness.

tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 18th 2008 3:04PM

This is the second "major" first party title that's tanked review wise for nintendo, with lazy cash in pretty much being the keyword in both sets of reviews. Hopefully this also tanks in the sales department like wii music did so nintendo will wake up, but I know better than to think they'll actually do it.

tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 18th 2008 3:04PM

Meant to say second game in a row

Mr Khan @ Nov 18th 2008 3:08PM

doubtful, though we can't know. This game certainly should click with the Wii's audience moreso than Wii Music did, since Wii Music was ambiguously targeted, failing to find it's market through a number of problems, the song selection being a large factor of them

Shagittarius @ Nov 18th 2008 3:13PM

I think looking like a total douche bag blowing into a wiimote had something to do with it as well. And that an oscillating fan could play the game as well as you could.

J @ Nov 18th 2008 3:40PM

"an oscillating fan could play the game as well as you could"

lol...

Markez @ Nov 19th 2008 1:08AM

Eh, say what you will. In my opinion, blowing into the wiimote can look just as asinine as some fat ass sitting on a couch wholly immobile for hours at a time with a "traditional" piece of plastic between their pasty legs.

I tried this game ever so briefly on the DS when my girlfriend had it, but just couldn't get into it. Harvest Moon Magical Melody was like crack to me, but I've never played another game come close to the magic (sweet sweet crack) I felt.

Mr Khan @ Nov 18th 2008 3:05PM

Neither more nor less than what was expected. It's a game that thrives on subtle evolutions, not total shifts. If you've had the game before, you're going to know whether or not you want to go through it all again.

Equally, it's a good bit like Wii Music in that it's either a game that you "get" and that you'll love forever, or you'll just wander around saying "What, weeding? This is supposed to be fun? Where's the damn game?"

Ultimately, i think the game's new online features will be more compelling to people who are really dedicated to Animal Crossing than the "focus" of the game, the City

Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 18th 2008 10:44PM

Khan,

I could really care what everyone says or thinks about me on this site. I bought this game over Left 4 dead because I had enough games that involved mindless carnage. In all honesty I have been completely impressed with it. It not some visual masterpiece but it has a subtle magic to it. I like it - allot.

There I said it, bitches.

I might prefer and favor the PS3 but I'm still a gamer! It's not like I avoid any game because it's on the Wii or the 360. I just most of shit for the PS3. End of story.

This game is completely different than 99% of the games out there. I actually found it refreshing just like I did with Wario Shake It. If everyone could get over themselves for 5 minutes and open up their minds they might find some great new experiences out there. Not that I'm the best person to be up on my soapbox saying that shit with some of my comment history - maybe I'm turning a new leaf.

In all honesty Khan is a respectable guy. Allot more than I can say for some of these other trolls and Johnny come lately's that think they own Joystiq.

I get it. When your new here you say the most outrageous shit so you can cause a ruckus and get attention. Honestly, it unbecoming of grown adults.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Nov 19th 2008 12:47AM

Sackolantern, I just want to say that you have my respect. You seem like one of the few level-headed posters here.

And, Khan hit it on the mark. Animal Crossing is the kind of game you either get, or you don't. If you're looking for a game with a set amount of goals telling you what to do, and then an end point, you'll be completely disappointed. If you want a sort-of-life sim, with the freedom to do what you (within the game's limits), then you might enjoy it.

Besides, how much can you change to the formula with the end result still being Animal Crossing? It's a game of evolutionary steps, not revolutionary changes.

If you compare City Folk to Wild World or the original game, it makes them seem rather primitive in comparison.

Markez @ Nov 19th 2008 1:14AM

Whoa John, certainly wasn't expecting you to say you'd be into AC, even after you being such a Shake-It homer as of late. Welcome to leafstiq! I'll probably grab the latter at some point, just have to clear out the back catalog. Been too focused on Gears 2 and Fable 2. And even when I do get back to the Wii I still have NMH and the Sonic collection I just picked up from eBay.

Speaking of which, Khan, I'll have to update you on my classic Sonic heirarchy now that I'll finally be able to play Sonic CD.

Sonic Fighters looks pretty loony tho...

Pedobear @ Nov 19th 2008 5:29AM

I would have to disagree with you Kahn. I get Animal Crossing, and I loved the first one. But I will never get this game. I was wanting them to do something fresh with the series, to innovate. But it seems like all they did was add a 'city' and some new items. I really don't see any reason to get this game if I already have the GC Animal Crossing or DS version. This game feels more like an expansion pack than a sequel.