Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 2008
Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City is the latest update to the Animal Crossing series, and I say update, as this is roughly 90% the same game as it’s two prequels. I guess this would be Nintendo’s equivalent of releasing an expansion pack, for that is all this seems to be.
For the newcomer to the Animal Crossing series, this is the best version out of the three, using its basic principles introduced in the GameCube and combining them with the features of DS’ Wild World.
You begin the game as a small human character moving out to your own town, with a promise of new life, new friends, and new scenery. After been greeted on the bus by Rover, the friendly cat who sets up your name, town and settings, you’ll find yourself in your new town. You are then tasked to choose a house from those dotted around the town. Once you’re set up, prepare to get down to business, for there’s a price to pay and it doesn’t come cheap. Fortunately, as in previous versions of the game, you find a job with Tom Nook, the local racoon entrepreneur. Working in Tom Nook’s shop acts as the game’s tutorial and introduces you to all the major aspects of the game, such as gardening, giving gifts, sending letters, and chatting to the game’s animal characters.
This is the part of the game where Animal Crossing veterans will feel bored and eager to get on with the game, but thankfully the tutorial does not last long. It would have easier if there had been an option to skip this section, but you are forced to go through it.
After the tutorial you are then free to explore the Animal Crossing world, and there’s certainly a lot to do. With fishing, bug catching, fossil digging; there isn’t enough time for everything. Thankfully then, the game has no set endpoint and can theoretically continue for years. And newcomers to the series should definitely experience a whole year to see all the different events in the game.
Here it’s nice to see some of the events from the original included in this version after they were missed out of Wild World, plus some new ones. For example, the Christmas event is back with Jingle the Reindeer, as well as a an Easter event with Zipper T. Bunny.
The core gameplay is still the same, collect things, sell them to earn money which you use to pay your mortgage and upgrade your house. This time round however, there is a greater focus on donating to the town fund, which will upgrade your town by adding another bridge, a fountain, and either a windmill or a lighthouse.
The only big difference with this game and its prequels is the addition of the titular city. Well, it isn’t really a city, but more of a plaza where different services are placed for easy access. Almost all of these come from the previous games, but unlike its predecessors, Wild World has them available every day, instead of just at certain days. Crazy Redd, Gracie and Katrina all gain their own permanent shops, while Shampoodle moves out of Tom Nook’s and into the city. Shampoodle now offers haircuts from the offset, but with a twist, as you can use purchase a makeover to use your Mii’s face in the game, which adds a nice personal touch. Also available is an auction house, where players can auction items and bid for new ones, and a theater which houses Dr. Shrunk, the comedian from Wild World who will give you emotions to use in the game.
The city is a welcome addition as it makes many of the game's services easier to access, and in my opinion is the best addition in the game.
The Wi-Fi features are also enhanced from Wild World, and use the Wii’s online capabilities well. Post can be sent directly to Wii message boards, and screenshots can be taken and saved onto an SD card using the camera function. Wii Speak, the wide range microphone that is bundled with the Wii Speak versions of the game, can be used to great effect online, and now there is no need to type out those frustrating on screen messages. I don’t have Wii Speak myself, so I don’t know how good the microphone is, but I’m sure if you are going to use the online features often it will be a great asset. The friend code system is still in place like in every other Nintendo Wi-Fi enable game, which keeps your town secure from strangers, but limits the people you can interact with.
Nintendo are also giving out downloadable content for the game, which has seen many different items through its first eleven months. They often tie the DLC in with certain releases, such as the Pikmin hat and the DSi chair. This downloadable content keeps the item collection element of the game fresh, and you’ll often find yourself eagerly awaiting the next piece of content.
For those who have Wild World, you can also import your DS character onto your Wii version along with most of your catalogue items, saving you a lot of time and enabling you to jump straight in to the game. Your collections aren’t imported however, and you’ll have to catch all those old fish and bugs again, along with some new additions.
Essentially, Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City is the same game that was on the GameCube, only with a fresher look, and with better organised and implemented features and Wi-Fi. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but this has lead to many Animal Crossing veterans to leave the game after a few months.
If you are a newcomer to the series, this is an essential purchase that will take up many hours of your time as you manage your town, upgrade your house and complete your collections. However if you own either or both of the previous games you will find little to hold your attention past the fifth or sixth month.
+ The city is a great new feature
+ Combines the best bits from the previous two games
+ You’ll be playing for months on end
+ Downloadable content keeps you coming back
- Not enough to hold old fans
Score: 7/10
