Animal Crossing: New Leaf

[Ben Paddon]

So has anybody else had their lives utterly ruined by Nintendo’s latest offering? Blimey, it’s good, though I do feel a bit of a twat walking around my pretend town holding a non-existent watering can watering imaginary flowers when I could have been going out into the actual outdoors. But there we are.

My 3DS Friend Code is 5043-1877-6294. Add me if you’re playing, and let me know what fruit you have. I have Pears, Apples, Cherries and Peaches.

Topic

[Pecospete666]

I like the chick!

People believe pole dancing should be in the Olympics

[Phil]

I won the Bug-Off.

[John Hoare]

I won the Bug-Off.

Same here, with 100 points.

But I was at a TV recording at 6pm so the ceremony was cancelled :-(

[Phil]

I got 122…but then I had to go to work so I didn’t have a chance to catch more and find out if it was high or low.

It was a Horned Hercules I think, which I found on the beach as soon as the Bug-Off started, which makes me wonder if they unleash rare bugs more frequently during special events like this.

Again, though, I didn’t have the time to find out. :( I did get to see the ceremony though. And then talk to some pissed off villagers who worked much harder for this than I did.

[Ridley]

Is there actually a ceremony considering the way that guy collects them?

I just went to The Island and got something from there to win.

Nice of the game to show a scoprion in my town on the title screen when I’d just left the game.

But at least I have a badge for being a backyard gardener.

[Ridley]

Also, “i am online!” is the AC vogans.

[Phil]

I think my game is glitched now. My game locked up online (with Ridley) and Resetti showed up on the top screen, just staring at me and not moving. Eventually it restarted on its own and I lost all my items and money.

So I went back to try to get some of those items again and the game froze again.

Then this morning I all of a sudden have a Perfect Town rating, despite the fact that there’s dead trees and flowers everywhere and I live in a hole.

No understand.

[Ridley]

I entered Phil’s hole and all I got was this lousy chocolate coin.

[takerdemon]

Am I the only human being in the world that loves video games but doesn’t get Animal Crossing? What’s the appeal?

I enjoyed a quick dabble in Pokemon back in the day and the other Nintendo mainstays (Mario, Mario Kart, Zelda etc.) but the appeal of this one eludes me.

Maybe I’ve been ruined by playing too much Playstation Vita…

Speaking of which, if anyone owns one then you certainly need to play Persona 4 Golden. An utterly bonkers yet absorbing JRPG.

[Phil]

I didn’t get it either. I remember when the Game Cube one was big over here, and my girlfriend and her friends all loved it. One day they booted it up and passed me the controller…

…and I had no clue why anybody would play this. They told me to go get some shells to trade for money, and use the money to add on to my house. And to catch bugs for the museum. And to talk to all the villagers or they’d get angry and leave. And a whole bunch of other stuff that really just sounded like a chore. It was obviously massively popular so I didn’t think they were crazy for enjoying it, but I didn’t really get it.

New Leaf is the first one I’ve owned and given a chance to, and I actually can safely say I love it. I have no idea what changed for me, but reading all the great reviews — and then seeing a bunch of internet friends enjoying it and realizing it might be fun for multiplayer — I decided to grab it.

Maybe it’s a bit of timing for me. There’s a lot of change going on in my life right now and not all of it is anywhere near welcome. Popping into Animal Crossing and rearranging my town and planting trees and such…it’s like a digital Zen garden for me. It’s a chance to take things easy and aimlessly with soothing music and cute dialogue. It’s fun.

My other video game therapy tends to be the Mega Man series…and this obviously couldn’t get much further than that. But whereas I like Mega Man for the chance to out-think the stage designers, I like this one for the sake of not thinking…and just being.

Again, if you don’t see the appeal, believe me. I know exactly how that feels and I understand completely.

But for whatever reason, this time something clicked, and it’s been pretty great.

[Jo]

I am now playing this. My friend code is: 3754-7275-0169

[Ridley]

Is there a way to get my friend code to you people without posting it in a public place?

[Jo]

*shrugs* what could anyone do with a friend code? They only work if both people put the codes in don’t they?

[Jo]

Finding it a bit frustrating that various places close at 8/9pm and don’t open again until 10am… When I’ll be at work. hmm. I will mostly play this after 6pm (internet connected from 7:15ish) so not sure how much value I’m going to get out of it outside of the weekend.

I spent ages collecting and selling fruit, fish and shells to get my money for my house only to get to Nook’s and find he’d closed 10 minutes earlier. Bah! :-(

I’m just running around trying to find things to do now. Any tips?

[Phil]

Jo:
Before long you will have the ability to implement Town Ordinances. One of them is the Night Owl Ordinance, which allows you to have graphic sex with Silk Spectre while Leonard Cohen plays.

ACTUALLY NO but it does cause all of the shops to stay open a lot later, which probably makes it a good choice for your schedule.

Also, VERY mild spoilers here…

…you won’t have to visit Nook for long either. You’ll be able to make payments for the house and renovations at a machine in the post office, which is open all night. So that will help soon.

The first few days are a bit dull (I think they want you to spend that time getting to know / helping your villagers), but very quickly you’ll find a lot of things opening up, which allows you to do more.

As far as productivity goes in those first few days: do lots of fishing / bug catching. Donate everything to the museum. Help all your residents. Shake all your trees and hit all your rocks with a shovel.

That’ll be about the best you can do until…some other options make themselves available.

[Tanya Jones]

Phil speaks the truth. You’ll soon settle into the groove, and being the mayor, you’ll be able to shape that.

[Ridley]

*shrugs* what could anyone do with a friend code?

TOO MUCH FOR MY LIKING

[takerdemon]

Phil – That response makes sense, it’s the way I’ve felt about many games. Maybe I need to buy a 3DS and give it a whirl… if I still don’t get it then I can get Mario Kart and the Mario Bros to compensate me.

I must say though, good choice on the Mega Man front. I love those games and I can definitely see them as some sort of therapy although I think you must be a bit sadistic because those games are TOUGH! Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever did beat the final boss of Mega Man 2… that’s my objective for 2013 sorted!

[Phil]

Mario Kart 7 and Mario 3D Land are both fan-tas-tic games. The 3DS really has a wealth of awesome stuff. Kid Icarus Uprising, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and Resident Evil: Revelations are all excellent too. As well as a bunch I’m sure I’m forgetting. There’s some truly great stuff available for it right now.

Also, I am definitely a bit sadistic on the Mega Man front. :) My youtube channel (/felixdeckett) has videos of me playing through every Mega Man boss stage without taking damage. So far I’ve done 1 – 6 on the NES, 7 on the SNES and V on the Game Boy (since that one has unique bosses). I’ll get to the rest when I have a way to record them, but if you’re interested in seeing me punish myself, over and over and over again, there ya go.

[clem]

I’m hooked too now. My code is 4184-2054-6550. I named my town Toddlin.

[Jo]

Thanks for the tips Phil! :-)

[Jo]

I passed the Night Owl ordinance a couple of days ago, much better, thanks Phil!

I just made it over to the island today, spent today fishing, bug catching and working out how to grab creatures when you’re diving. Jellyfish can bugger off.

I’ve added everyone who has put their friend code in this thread, feel free to add me back. :)
Ridley are you on Twitter? Maybe you could DM your friend code? You could email it, my FC email is on the team page: http://www.reddwarffanclub.com

[Ridley]

Email be sent.

[clem]

This morning I met Joan the turnip seller. I think she’s my new favourite. I’ve had no trouble with jellyfish yet. It’s the bees that keep stinging me – I just can’t seem to outrun them.

[takerdemon]

Phil – you’re crazy! I need to learn your Megaman skills! I know it’s all patterns but WOW!

I feel left out now with all the friend code sharing! I need to get a 3DS to get in on this! If anyone wants to hit me up on PSN in the meantime, I’m takerdemon

Put G&T in the message so I know who you are, I don’t generally add people I don’t know in some capacity.

[Ridley]

How often does the Stalk Market price change? I thought it was twice a day but I’ve had the decreasing pattern all week and despite it being low this morning and lower this afternoon, I’ve just sold my turnips for a profit.

Wassup wit’ dat?

[Ridley]

How often does the Stalk Market price change? I thought it was twice a day but I’ve had the decreasing pattern all week and despite it being low this morning and lower this afternoon, I’ve just sold my turnips for a profit.

Wassup wit’ dat?

[Jo]

I haven’t met a turnip seller yet.
I’ve been to the fortune teller… I’m not sure what the point of her is yet. I don’t have any of the items she said will bring me luck anyway.
That fox with the dodgy paintings has visited once.
The badge man seems to be in my village every other day. I think he’s stalking me.
I wished on a star though and got a fancy bed.
I accidentally sent Gulliver to the wrong place, but he sent me a gift anyway. Nice fella!
Scoot (duck with underpants on his head) told me he was going to leave and I told him not to so he decided to stay. I wish I’d let him go, he’s annoying.
I left my town open and left my 3DS on the side at weekend, when I returned I was surrounded by items. I was very confused until I saw Ridley running at me bearing more gifts. Thanks Ridley!

[Jo]

>Posting this here for my own reference later, and just in case it appeals to you guys:

View post on imgur.com

Thanks for this Phil, I don’t think I’m ready to set down paths yet, I want to organise the layout a bit more first, but this will be v. helpful :)

[Ridley]

I haven’t met a turnip seller yet.

Sunday mornings.

I don’t trust Nook not to build over my trees if a villagers leaves so I beg them all to stay…

[Jo]

>It’s cicada season in Narcisso! Apparently. Which means it’s really annoying outdoors and far preferable to just stay inside all day.

Solution: Have one of your town residents ask you to get one for them. Then the little cunts are nowhere to be found!

[redhead85]

From what I recall of the original game, you need to jump into water to get the bees to bugger off.

[Jo]

You have to catch the bees with a net in New Leaf, you can only jump in the water if you’re wearing a wetsuit.

I have caught 3 bees in total, mostly I just get stung and the townsfolk mock me. Bastards.

[clem]

You can go into a building to get away from bees, but you can’t go into a house if there’s nobody home.

[Ridley]

Which is almost always.

And when they are home it’s like stepping into Jed Maxwell’s house.

[Ridley]

http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Campaigns/Animal-Crossing-New-Leaf-Welcome-a-Friend-Promotion/Animal-Crossing-New-Leaf-Welcome-a-Friend-Promotion-789519.html

[Phil]

>Mario Kart 7 and Mario 3D Land are both fan-tas-tic games. The 3DS really has a wealth of awesome stuff. Kid Icarus Uprising, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and Resident Evil: Revelations are all excellent too. As well as a bunch I’m sure I’m forgetting.

Just want to add Shin Megami Tensei IV to that list. Because HOLY FUCK IT’S INCREDIBLE AND I USUALLY HATE THIS KIND OF GAME.

[Ridley]

I do have a code for that free download copy of New Leaf thanks to a buddy being unable to get it.

So if any eligible European and/or South African is happy registering a 3DS XL at Club Nintendo, it’s yours if you (or someone you know) want it.

[Tanya Jones]

The bees are just a bit annoying; it’s getting bitten/stung by a tarantula or scorpion that upsets me! My code is 0361-6978-1169. Rutland has a campsite and we’re saving up for a cafe. HOW EXCITING.

[Jo]

I managed to catch a tarantula today *proud face* I’m usually so busy running around that I don’t spot them until it’s too late and they knock me out.

Sylvia (Kangaroo) asked me if I could taken a modern table off her hands. The two options were “sure” and “this seems suspicious…” I went with sure, because I wanted a modern table and she said as an aside (in grey text) “For a second there I thought that wouldn’t work…”
This isn’t the first time she’s done something that seems bit dodgy, what’s the deal? Is she a thief and she’s fencing her stolen goods through me? WTF is going on with this Aussie bint?

[Jo]

Arp! I think my town has been invaded by crickets! They’re fricking everywhere :-S

[Jo]

I didn’t think that mystic woman did anything in particular, telling you to wear a certain item for good luck… but after yesterday I’m assuming you can have bad luck in game days?
I kept falling over every time I ran, got a higher proportion of boots and cans instead of fish, got stung by the bees every time (they seemed to be quicker than usual) and I also got a losing fortune cookie ticket which has never happened before.

[clem]

Have you been rearranging furniture? You might have messed up your feng shui.

[Jo]

Seriously?

I haven’t rearranged anything for a few days, I added a few bits to one room yesterday though – wall sconce and a dinosaur egg.

[clem]

Yep, red, yellow and green items can affect your luck depending on where you put them in your main room. A good rule of thumb is to place green things next to your south wall.

[Tanya Jones]

I’m not sure that really has an effect; I had a clumsy day recently without having moved anything in my room.

In happier news, I can now get take-away coffee from my town’s cafe. The look of happiness on my face every time I took a swig made all the bell-gathering worth it.

[Jo]

I’ve not been able to play for 4 days… bit scared that when I go in all my townsfolk are going to have left and everything will be dead :(

[Ridley]

The snooty hamster is out on her cheeks the first chance I get for saying I’m clearly better than everyone else in town.

[clem]

I got a golden watering can at last!

[Jo]

I have the silver fishing rod, shovel and watering can and a golden slingshot.
Still working towards the others!

[Author]

Replies