Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS) Review
It is raining outside; I am being interrogated by the Taxi Driver, he asks my name, where Im moving to and if Im a boy or girl. Hopefully answering correctly by saying boy the Taxi stops in front of the Town Hall and Im thrown out forcefully onto my new island. Called Mytheria I notice that the place is reminiscent to a Ghost Town, with only 2 villagers and scarce fruit I feel like Ive been dropped off at some kind of outback town. I am then introduced to a greedy little bugger named Tom Nooks. Seems I have to pay off mortgage for a house I didnt even know I owned. The amount is small however and easily obtainable so after finishing my deep and complex conversation with him I head home.
My house, a small buildings surrounded by a white picket fence in the middle of nowhere, is empty except for a Single Bed. Deciding that there is not much to do in here I head off outside to meet the locals and get the feel of my new town. The villagers, a bird named Robin and a bear named Teddy are pleased to make my acquaintance and send me off with comforting feelings that my villagers are not going to drive me instance. Robin seems obsessed with clothing and hints at my giving her some though poor as if I were in the Great Depression I regret to decline her request. Teddy brags about his bludging muscles and the fact that he works out every single hour of every single day, I back out of the room slowly before he decides to tackle me.
Travelling around the town I notice several key landmarks that get my attention. Firstly, the beach were several seashells have washed ashore. I leave these for now not thinking they are worth any value. Then there is winding rivers were several fish are swimming upstream. The river leads to a large pond and a cascading waterfall that doesnt seem to do anything but look pretty. After quickly exploring the local Museum and having a chat with the guards standing beside the Town Gates I decide its time to earn myself so dough. Taking the fruits from the trees I hurry to Nooks store and sell him all that Ive got. He gives me a couple of thousand bells so I go on a spending spree, buying whatever I can. Once Im finished there is nothing left in his store but this does not seem to bother him. It shouldnt seeing as Im the only one that shops there at the moment. Hurrying back outside I start to dig up fossils, taking more fruit and selling it, catching fish and socialising with the locals. Before I end a hard days work I pay off a little bit of my mortgage and head back into my house to sleep through the night. The next time I play I jump onto the Nintendo Wifi Connection and connect to a number of my friends, opening a whole new door of game play to a game that already has so much replay ability. But for now, my experience has been both enriching and enlightening as I, in the real world, hurry online to discuss my Animal Crossing day and future plans.
Unlike many of those that have picked up the third Nintendo Wifi enabled game, Animal Crossing: Wild World, I had had no prior experience to this type of game. Many had played it on the Nintendo Gamecube; a highly successful game in Japan and sleeper hit in America and Australia. Taking the magic of Tamagotchi and blending it in with the successful formula of The Sims, Animal Crossing for me in the beginning was a childish, repetitive experience that had me confused over what was really going on. However, after jumping back into it a few hours later and getting past the tutorial section of the game I finally realised what made this game such an appealing title. There are heaps of things to buy, to design, to find, to catch, to dig up and to catch again. Then you can interact with fellow villagers, spread gossip, send letters to one another, do errands and welcome new villagers into the town. Take everything youve collected and sell it to buy items for your house or to decorate the town or use it to pay off your mortgage making your house double in size. Feeling generous, you can also donate your hard earned cash to a Third World Town but what rewards you will receive for doing this I have yet to discover.
The graphics are a jump up from most Nintendo DS games. Fully rendered in 3-D you dont have to put up with those disappointing 2-D titles that get constantly released. No offence to fans of games like Another Code, Lost in Blue and Project Rub but I prefer to play my games, no answer a series of questions and lack laster puzzles. Though the textures are not as crisp as some other games, slight jaggedness can be easily ignored beyond the rich colour and richness of this game. There are only two tree models and every weed you pull from the ground looks the same but this is hardly as issue. Furniture and other collectibles, as well as clothing are well designed and unique from piece to piece. The ability to design your own art as well which can act as your towns flag or look of your clothing is a nice little feature and easily accessible through the use of the Touch Screen and stylus. You can quickly come up with something basic or take your time for something very special; its up to you. Colours are limited however despite theyre being 16 palettes to use. Only one palette can be used at any given time, no blending shades and/ or secondary colours.
The list of things to do is astronomical when you put it down on pen and paper. From the beginning, if you obtain the correct utilities, you can dig up the earth to fetch fossils and other neat things. If you have some fruits to spare you can choose to bury them in the hope that one day they will sprout into blooming trees that will please your villagers. If digging doesnt take your fancy, hook yourself up with a fishing rod and attract some little fishies from the beach or river. Once caught you can donate the fish to the Museum who may make you think they will devour your catch of the day or if you want some money for your hard work you can dash off to the store and sell the fish. Theres also a slingshot that lets you shoot things down from the sky and a watering can for brushing up those sick looking flowers. The watering can is an essential item for anyone interested in growing one of the best gardens around. Finally there is a big net that can be used to catch the little insects though they are scarce during the cold months of winter. As mentioned earlier to can chat to your villagers as well and collect gifts off them from pleasing them in some shape of manner. Also do some errands for them and receive more gifts or send them letters in the mail in hope of receiving one yourself.
The most anticipated portion of this game, as was the case with Mario Kart DS is the Nintendo Wifi Connection and what it offers for Animal Crossing players. However still limited like the disappointing but still excitingly awesome Mario Kart, Animal Crossing allows you and 3 others to either come to your town or visit someone elses depending on whether or not you have there friends codes and they have yours. This can become a nascence, ensuring that you all have swapped information earlier but with the correct organising through message boards or messenger service this should hardly be too much of a problem. Once connected you can basically do everything you could back in your hometown. The subtle differences are you cannot pick up items from the hosts house unless it is yours and villagers do not wander the town but stay ignores to greet the visitors. If you are nice enough, you may convince some of these villagers to decide to pack up and leave to head to your cosy town which was the case already with a fellow friend of mine. Despite feeling guilty for stealing his villager I also felt happy to have yet another neighbour despite the fact she seems to be obsessed with being naked. This is never practical of course, so you will not have to fear the viewing of animal nudity in this game. You can chat online, however limited this is again and time consuming to bash in the letters that imitate a normal keyboard. You can leave behind messages, drop off letters and buy merchandise from the local shop. If this doesnt take your fancy you can explore the world, meet new people, check out the museum or even play games with your friends. The possibilities are limitless however not to different from staying home.
So after a short while of regret for purchasing Animal Crossing I strongly considering as being yet another childish Nintendo game I can proudly say I have been easily converted by common sense. Regardless of its youthful appearance and appeal, this game can be enjoyed and loved by anyone, anywhere and anytime. With so much to do, so much to see, so much to feel and touch and collect this game could be thoroughly enjoyed even months from now which can be hardly said for many games nowadays. The only exceptions Ive ever had have been Mario Kart, Halo 2 and Counter Strike of which I still play, however less and less as time goes by. Animal Crossing is no different and will be inserted in your DS for a long time I ensure you that. Would I recommend this game, you bet ya. In fact, I would consider you a fool not to buy this game right now, if not for the Wifi Connection then for the magnificent experience itself. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed, Im defiantly am not.
