Animal Crossing: New Leaf

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Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a single player and multiplayer simulation game with fantasy, business and kids themes. It was developed by Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2 and was released on November 8, 2012. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Animal Crossing: New Leaf" is a business simulation game on Nintendo 3DS that allows both single-player and multi-player/co-op experiences. Players can become the head of their village, boosting its development and personalizing its characteristics. The game also offers the ability to view other players' homes through StreetPass connections.

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 10 reviews

humor2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Animal Crossing: New Leaf offers extensive customization options, allowing players to shape their town and character to reflect their personal style.
The game features a relaxing and charming atmosphere, with engaging interactions with anthropomorphic villagers that keep players invested over time.
New multiplayer features, including online connectivity and mini-games, enhance the social experience, making it enjoyable to play with friends.

The game can feel unbalanced, particularly with the Island feature, which allows players to earn money much faster than in the main town.
Players may experience frustration due to the lack of control over where villagers move in, potentially disrupting their town layout.
The game requires a significant time investment to unlock features and fully enjoy its content, which may not appeal to those looking for a quicker gaming experience.

gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Gameplay in the latest Animal Crossing installment builds on familiar mechanics from previous games, enhancing multiplayer options and introducing new features like badges to extend playtime. Players are encouraged to engage daily to maintain relationships with villagers and complete various tasks, making the experience both immersive and rewarding for those who invest time into it. Overall, the game retains its charming appeal while offering improvements that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- “On top of improved mechanics, the multiplayer (local and online) has improved drastically.”
- “If the game looks cute and the gameplay catches your eye, then please pick it up.”
- “Gameplay, however, is very similar to past Animal Crossing games.”
- “In the newest edition of the Animal Crossing franchise, you'll find that New Leaf has merely expanded on popular features and gameplay that has gotten the franchise to where it is today.”
- “I don't recommend this game if you don't at least play a couple of hours a day to keep relations with your villagers.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is generally considered decent but lacks standout tracks, with only a few exceptions. While the nighttime music is noted for its calming effect, overall, it does not reach the memorable quality of previous titles like Wild World.
- “The music is pretty decent, but it doesn’t really stand out, with the exception of one or two songs.”
- “The nighttime music is especially calming, and I often find myself about to nod off as I play the game.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is derived from the charming and relatable dialogue of its diverse animal villagers, who bring a delightful mix of personality and quirkiness. Players find joy in the unpredictability of new characters moving in, each with their own amusing traits, making the townsfolk both funny and endearing. The emotional connection to these characters adds a layer of humor as players feel a sense of loss when their favorites leave.
- “It's often funny to read their dialogue and see just how normal they can be, despite being frogs, rabbits, ducks, alligators, etc. There are so many different possible villagers, and it's exciting to see someone move in because you never know what kind of interesting character you'll get next.”
- “The townsfolk are funny and adorable, and you'll be sad when your favorite villager moves out.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The story in "New Leaf" revolves around a young character who relocates to a new town, allowing players to immerse themselves in the charming and customizable life of their new community.
- “The story in 'New Leaf' immerses you in the life of a young person moving to a new town, filled with charming characters and engaging quests.”
- “As you settle into your new home, the narrative unfolds beautifully, allowing you to build relationships and shape the community around you.”
- “The journey of self-discovery and community building in 'New Leaf' creates a captivating story that keeps you invested in every interaction.”
- “The story in 'New Leaf' feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I found the plot to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more from the narrative.”
- “The character development is minimal, which makes the overall story feel flat and unengaging.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find that despite the game's charming and casual nature, it can evoke deep emotional responses, particularly when they form strong attachments to the characters, leading to heart-wrenching moments.
- “It's interesting, for a game so charming and casual, it can be very heart-wrenching if you get very, very attached to your characters.”
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics on the 3DS are widely praised for their stunning quality, contributing to an impressive visual experience.
- “To begin with, the graphics are gorgeous on the 3DS.”

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88%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a simulation game with fantasy, business and kids themes.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is available on Nintendo 3ds.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was released on November 8, 2012.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was developed by Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its gameplay.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Castaway Paradise, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Garden Paws, Coral Island and others.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

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