A Bittersweet Farewell
The long-awaited Animal Crossing: New Horizons update, alongside the premium DLC, Happy Home Paradise, has finally arrived. While players rejoice in the abundance of new content, there’s a bittersweet undertone: this marks the end of major updates for the game. Nintendo confirmed that New Horizons won’t receive any more significant additions, paid or free, after November 5. This leaves players with a wealth of new experiences to explore while also marking the beginning of a new era for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
What to Expect in the 2.0 Update
The 2.0 update and Happy Home Paradise DLC, while linked, offer distinct experiences. The 2.0 update is entirely free, while Happy Home Paradise is a paid expansion. Here’s a breakdown of what the free update brings:
The Roost Cafe
Brewster, the beloved coffee connoisseur, is back! He opens The Roost Cafe within the museum, offering a serene space for players to enjoy coffee and chat with villagers. The Roost’s return has been a highly anticipated feature, fulfilling a long-held desire of the Animal Crossing community.
Kapp’n’s Island Tours
Kapp’n, the jolly sea captain, makes a comeback, offering boat tours to new islands with unique biomes. For a 1,000 Nook Miles fee, players can embark on a journey to discover new fish, bugs, and seasonal creatures, expanding the island’s biodiversity.
Harv’s Island Plaza
Harv’s Island Plaza provides a permanent home for wandering NPCs. Players can open shops like Katrina’s fortune shop, Shampoodle (Harriet’s hair salon), and Re-tail (Cyrus and Reese’s customization shop), as well as establish permanent spots for Sahara, Redd, Lief, and Kicks. This allows for more consistent access to these beloved characters.
Ordinances
The update introduces ordinances, which allow players to customize their island’s rules and gameplay experience. Options like the Night Owl ordinance keep shops open later, while the Early Bird ordinance opens them earlier. The Beautiful Island ordinance prevents trees from dying and weeds from growing, offering a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing environment.
New Customizables, Items, and Furniture
The 2.0 update also includes a plethora of new items, furniture, and customization options. Players can expand their storage, learn new KK songs, enjoy fresh hairstyles, and craft recipes using an oven. The return of Gyroids, those unique living furniture, adds another layer of collectible fun to the game. These wiggling, noise-making haniwa furniture are sure to be a hit with players.
How to Get the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC
To play Happy Home Paradise, you need to purchase it. It’s available on the Nintendo eShop for $24.99. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the NSO Expansion Pack for $49.99 annually, which includes Happy Home Paradise. While the Expansion Pack seems like a better deal, it’s worth considering that your access to Happy Home Paradise is tied to the subscription.
What to Expect in Happy Home Paradise
Happy Home Paradise offers a new gameplay experience, tasking players with designing vacation homes for villagers on separate islands. Each villager has specific requirements and themes, encouraging creative solutions and pushing design boundaries. The best part? Players get to keep some of the items they use in their designs for their home island.
Here are some of the key features of the DLC:
Added Facilities
As players progress, they unlock new facilities like schools, theaters, and restaurants, adding variety and depth to the design possibilities. Each facility offers unique challenges and design opportunities, keeping the gameplay fresh.
Villager Home Makeovers
Players can remodel the homes of their villagers on their own island using the Happy Home Network app. They can add, remove, or relocate items and even change the theme of the home, allowing for personalized touches and re-imagination.
Controlling Time, Weather, and Seasons
The DLC offers greater control over time, weather, and seasons, allowing players to showcase their designs in the best possible light. This provides a unique opportunity for players to create the perfect ambiance for each vacation home.
The Beginning of A Slow Death for Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The new update and DLC will surely reignite interest in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but the lack of future updates suggests that the game’s lifespan is nearing its end. While the content will keep players busy for a while, the absence of new features could eventually lead to a decline in player base. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has enjoyed immense success, setting sales records and captivating millions. This new chapter marks the beginning of a gradual decline for the game, but it leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories and a lasting impact on the gaming world.
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