IGN: Animal Crossing: City Folk Review

After putting literally weeks and months into playing both the GameCube original and the Nintendo DS sequel, it was very disappointing to see that, after putting nearly two weeks into Animal Crossing: City Folk that very little effort went into the design beyond porting and enhancing the Nintendo DS game.

If you're entering into Animal Crossing with a fresh, inexperienced take: congratulations. You've got yourself a great, casual game with tons of things to see and do. Of the three Animal Crossing games on the market the Wii version is certainly the tops with its sharper visuals and voice-enabled online play.

Animal Crossing: City Folk is a good game, but it is not a very good effort as a follow-up or sequel. Its foundation is definitely solid but it doesn't pay enough respect to the millions of gamers who were involved in making the franchise a successful one.

But if you're ready to do it all over again, Animal Crossing: City Folk keeps up the tradition of making menial tasks a whole lot of fun.

[swiftshot93]

the only reason ill keep my wii is for retro studios...

[Panthers]

I dont think that is even good enough anymore. I cant believe this thing is still selling like it is.

[Xander-RKoS]

"It's the same thing as the DS version, but does it all better. It's a shame that this is basically the same Animal crossing as Wild World, except that do all these wifi things better, and there's more detail, and there's four way voice chat..."

Really, what did IGN expect from Animal Crossing? Some amazing FPS action? RPG elements? More "not Animal Crossing" elements?

[ngg12345]

when the other 2 versions are going for 20$. That complaint is the most reasonable...

[jtucker78]

"Really, what did IGN expect from Animal Crossing?"

How about a NEW Animal Crossing and not a DS port.

IGN - "It's the same thing as the DS version, but does it all better. It's a shame that this is basically the same Animal crossing as Wild World, except that do all these wifi things better, and there's more detail, and there's four way voice chat..."

No offence but if you have a "next gen" console running a DS game, then I'd be pretty surprised if it didn't have better graphics, sound etc.
I know as a Wii owner your expectations are probably already pretty low, but you need to have some standards.

If the next F-Zero gets released as a port of the Gamecube version, but with better graphics, sound and wifi you'd be p1ssed wouldn't you?
Is it too much to ask for a new Animal Crossing?

[Captain_Sony]

It's funny you make those claims.. God of War 2 played exactly like God of War 1 only better. Where were the complaints then? Even the PSP version plays exactly like the console version. I didnt see it take hits in its review for being the same game over again, but I bet the day God of War comes out and is exactly like the first 3 you will not have a single issue with it at all. After all you buy sequels to experience the same game over again with improvements, just so long as it does not carry the Nintendo name. Not hard to spot someone who hates just to hate.

[ChickeyCantor]

"How about a NEW Animal Crossing and not a DS port."

Dude, if you havn't noticed, it's the damn art style that won't change even if Wii was a PS3.

"If the next F-Zero gets released as a port of the Gamecube version, but with better graphics, sound and wifi you'd be p1ssed wouldn't you?
"

No i wouldn't be pissed, i would be playing the game online ;).

[jtucker78]

"God of War 2 played exactly like God of War 1 only better."

Sounds like a contradiction to me. Was it "exactly" like GoW1 or was it "better", and did GoW2 have different levels, a different story and different bosses. I think it did.
Because that sounds like a NEW game to me. NOT a port of the same game.

sidar - "Dude, if you havn't noticed, it's the damn art style that won't change even if Wii was a PS3."

IGN - "To put it another way: Animal Crossing: City Folk wasn't made for Animal Crossing fans. It was made for those that missed out the first two times. And for those people, you've got yourself a fine product. To those that helped make the first two games a success: maybe Nintendo will thank you some other way, because City Folk is only for you if you want to go through the same things all over again."

Doesn't sound like it's just the art style that hasn't changed does it?
Have you read the review, or did you just not think before you wrote that.

"No i wouldn't be pissed, i would be playing the game online ;)."

So you wouldn't want any new tracks. No new cars?

I bet if Nintendo k1lled both your familys you'd both convince yourselves that Nintendo had a reason to do it and that you agree with what they did.

You are allowed to complain. It's how improvements are made.

"After all you buy sequels to experience the same game over again with improvements, just so long as it does not carry the Nintendo name. Not hard to spot someone who hates just to hate."

Maybe Nintendo owners do, but I buy a sequel because I like the game mechanics and I want a continuation to the story, new levels, new bosses. NOT the SAME game.

Yeah, Captain_Sony I'm hating just to hate. That is obviously why people are complaining about Nintendo's line up going into Christmas. Because it's obviously a fantastic line-up.
There's ... erm... there's, but then there's....? Help me out will you?
There is no way that me and everyone else in the gaming world could have a valid point against Nintendo is there?
We're obviously hating just to hate.

I tell you what. I'll stop complaining now. You and sidar keep smiling while you're eating your Nintendo sh1t sandwiches. Keep chewing on them as the fecal matter squishes between your teeth and keep telling yourselves how delicious it tastes.

If you guys were in Logan's run, both of you would be happy waiting for the crystals in your palm to tell you it was time for you both to be killed.
Good job there are some guys like me and Logan that don't put up with crap and want more.

[ChickeyCantor]

I did read the review but if you think a new AC would hav been way different then you are smoking something really bad.

"
So you wouldn't want any new tracks. No new cars?

I bet if Nintendo k1lled both your familys you'd both convince yourselves that Nintendo had a reason to do it and that you agree with what they did.
"

Who says new tracks wouldn't be included ? If they include WIFI, better graphics, why wouldn't there be new tracks?
Are you telling me that AC for the Wii has nothing added to it?
Not even small elements?( if you are gonna say no than you are just trolling)

And your second part was lame, you really like to stretch things don't you? idiot.

"
You and sidar keep smiling while you're eating your Nintendo sh1t sandwiches"

So only because we do not agree with you we would do anything for nintendo? Hey Jtucke, GFYS ;), never knew you would be so narrow minded.

Edit: Like if you would get AC?
Is it that hard to let people get what they want?
(I'm not even getting AC i don't like it)
If you are fed up with it, doesn't mean you have a reason to bash me or others.
Again GFYS.

Meh.

[Captain_Sony]

I see the Sony fanboy pretending to be a NIntendo supperter is still at it.. Taking whats actually said and spinning it to fit his needs.. We know you didnt buy God of WAr 2 for a completely different game from God of War. Same case applies here. You have new places in AC. Sure it plays the same as the first. AS did god of war2. ARe you trying to tell me you didnt go around smashing buttons in god of war 2 pulling off combos like God of war 1? LOL You'll say anything to make Nitnendo look bad even if you look like a fool in the process.. Very glad I have you on ignore.

[jtucker78]

"I did read the review but if you think a new AC would have been way different then you are smoking something really bad."

I'm not bothered about way different, but sequels should have a significant level of improvements whether it is story, game mechanic or even just new levels. Not saying that this game has NO improvements, just not enough to make it worth buying this over the DS or cube version.

And if it is a port then that should be reflected in the price.

Animal Crossing: City Folk - (DS port), slight improvements in graphics,
Online, a few additions.
$50

Wipeout HD - (PSP port), but with upgraded visuals running at 1080p 60fps, Online, trophies etc.
$20

That is what you do when you port. You lower the price (like RE:4 Wii edition) so people don't feel like they are being ripped off.

GamesmasterUK: "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."

IGN: "After putting literally weeks and months into playing both the GameCube original and the Nintendo DS sequel, it was very disappointing to see that, after putting nearly two weeks into Animal Crossing: City Folk that very little effort went into the design beyond porting and enhancing the Nintendo DS game."

Eurogamer: "This is the best execution of Animal Crossing so far, but it is difficult to view it as anything other than a lazy remake of what's gone before."

1UP: "City Folk just seems like a huge missed opportunity - either that, or a lazy cash-in on Nintendo's newfound casual audience. If it's the former, they ought to just call it Wii Mortgage Payments."

AND as usual there are others with a similar opinion to me.

So well done on losing your temper sidar, that speaks volumes about your age and intelligence.

I like a good debate, but our communications are becoming tiresome as your lack of reasoning or rationality is depressing.
You may as well have reverted to flinging insults for all the coherent reasoning that you're capable of.

I'm setting you to ignore, but in future when you find yourself in this situation (again) with someone more intelligent than yourself.
Try and articulate your arguments better without regressing to a childlike mentality, being narrow minded and exhibiting an inability to see a conflicting point of view.

EDIT: Captain_Sony - see above. Game reviewers agree with me.
No-one agrees with you (except sidar - Nintendo's staunchest defender and irrational teenager).
Well done and Good Bye.

[ChickeyCantor]

"So well done on losing your temper sidar, that speaks volumes about your age and intelligence."

That guy is just amazing, first he bashes me, then he says i'm childish and unintelligent.

"teenager".
LMAO

If you read this, why not keep me on your ignore list.
The fact that this guy keeps saying i'm irrational, what a joke, he isn't even open to what others say.
Hypocrite.

Incase you read this, i find it funny how you discuss things while i wasn't disagreeing with lots of those things.
Keep making your own stuff up and bash people and then say they are irrational.

[Sharpshell]

the Nintendo comercials constantly make me NOT want to buy games I would otherwise definately get... case in point, this game. No offense ment to the game, I think we can all agree that this is most probably a definitaive Animal Crossing, and therefore worth interest. However if I see another yuppie chick holding a wiimote (or ds stylus) I'm gonna get really annoyed.

[XxRoosterxX]

I can't agree with you more on the nintendo commercials. I hate them so much. Nintendo won't be happy until any half wit can play a game by nintendo.

[White-Sharingan]

I have no use for my wii

sad :\

[Darkiewonder]

amazing score!

[qface64]

lat time i checked a 7.5 wasn't a horrible score and i have this game and i enjoy it very much its good

[ChickeyCantor]

7.5 isn't bad at all, the one who disagreed must be living in the 9 to 10 world else it sucks.

[ElementX]

I've never played any Animal Crossing but I hear they're pretty fun, any thoughts?

[Danja]

The one on the Gamecube was pretty good...

[MrWeymes]

The reviewer sounded bored. Animal Crossing: City Folk looks alright, but I don't think I'll be picking this one up.

[Chrissy]

LOL wii

[sox37]

maybe the price will go down on black friday