どうぶつの森

not really for me, but its super cozy

The English localisation for this being so good that Nintendo translated the game to Japanese and re-released it domestically will always be my favourite piece of gaming trivia, as well as objective, scientific proof that this is the best Animal Crossing. It doesn't have the Able Sisters backstory, but this game has some serious LORE. I love all the unnecessary worldbuilding, as well as how dated the game is by all the references to email as an emerging technology and the NES as the hottest and only gaming console in town. The small town feeling that this game is shooting for is only enhanced with each passing year, and is the only entry in the series to really succeed at capturing that feeling, if you ask me.

one thing I kind of dislike about the newer animal crossing games is the amount of customization -- I understand WHY they did it, but I really like the feeling of the early games where you're just kind of existing in this world. it will continue on whether you play, or not. you have no control over it.

it's extremely relatable.

Honestly don’t think the series ever did or will top this atmosphere

Everytime I play this I get really into it for like 2 weeks then stop. There's just not much to do. Shame because the atmosphere and characters are peak.

The grindiness and comparative lack of content makes this kinda hard to play now, but I really really appreciate the atmosphere of this game a lot more than the newer titles, where I agree with the "dollhouse" complaint

The original Animal Crossings did a fantastic job of dropping you into a fully virtual world, where life would go on whether or not you were present. And this really gelled nicely with the unique dialogue, where the originals seemed to embrace the weird and the bizarre. The newer game villagers are a bit saccharine, like visiting a resort where all the staff are unfailingly polite and accommodating and you sorta know it's not real.

I don't think it's objectively better or worse: the new games clearly have a ton of creative content and love poured into them, but never hit the same for me. No responsibilities, you're not a mayor or civil engineer, just a colorful, offbeat world with a real passage of time that you can drop in for a few minutes every day