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Question for people with gameplay experience of both/all - how does Animal Crossing compare to the Harvest Moon games? Or Stardew Valley? I have a massive soft

Question for people with gameplay experience of both/all - how does Animal Crossing compare to the Harvest Moon games? Or Stardew Valley? I have a massive soft spot for Harvest Moon because I wrote my first code ever (in Python) to figure out what was the best crop to plant in summer - the answer was turnips, and 17 years later, I still remember that.

mercer 7y ago
I think it scratches an itch similar to Harvest Moon and, to a degree, Stardew Valley. The crucial difference for me between AC and SV is that the former all but forces you to take a relaxed approach. SV felt more like a typical game where I tried to do everything the 'best' way, and optimize and 'level up' things. Which is a ton of fun, but also a bit stressful. In AC, on the other hand, everything is real-time. Lots of activities can only be done once a day, if you build something it will take at least until the next day for it to show up. The shop refreshes items once a day. 'Collectibles' either randomly show up, at particular times of day, in particular months, or during particular events (easter, etc.). Furthermore, this 'do nothing and relax' philosophy extends to pretty much everything, so for example buying stuff forces you to go through dialogs every time, and both buying and crafting can't be done in bulk (for the most part). Quite frustrating at times, but I do think it helps me at least not find clever ways to stress myself out and 'optimize' again. I have other games for that :).
- immutate 7y ago
  I haven’t played Harvest Moon, but I agree with what you’re saying about SV and AC. I’ve spent far more hours in SV, but haven’t picked it back up since I started AC. One of the things I’ve found particularly fun is planning out and starting terraforming of my island in AC.
slightwinder 7y ago
They are very different. On surface they have similar mechanics and features, but focus and execution is quite different. In AC there is no energy-system like in SV. Time in AC is also way longer as it plays in real time. There is no need to sleep (as far as I known) and thus no penalty when missing bedtime. There is no real farming in AC, just collecting stuff, and a bit of arranging things. Overall, AC is very free from sources of stress, while SV has them everywhere, though it depends on yourself on much they impact you. Also, you can also get stress in AC, but only by setting yourself goals, not through the game itself.
swebs 7y ago
They're very different. Harvest moon is a farming simulator. Animal Crossing is a "hanging out in a small village" simulator. You don't have a job. You just log in each day and see what's happening. There's only so much to do per day and the time is based on the real world clock. So if you want to plant flowers, you have to wait three real days for them to grow. It's a game you play for a few minutes per day over the course of years, rather than one where you play for 40 hours in the first few weeks until you beat it.

mercer 7y ago

I think it scratches an itch similar to Harvest Moon and, to a degree, Stardew Valley. The crucial difference for me between AC and SV is that the former all but forces you to take a relaxed approach. SV felt more like a typical game where I tried to do everything the 'best' way, and optimize and 'level up' things. Which is a ton of fun, but also a bit stressful. In AC, on the other hand, everything is real-time. Lots of activities can only be done once a day, if you build something it will take at least until the next day for it to show up. The shop refreshes items once a day. 'Collectibles' either randomly show up, at particular times of day, in particular months, or during particular events (easter, etc.). Furthermore, this 'do nothing and relax' philosophy extends to pretty much everything, so for example buying stuff forces you to go through dialogs every time, and both buying and crafting can't be done in bulk (for the most part). Quite frustrating at times, but I do think it helps me at least not find clever ways to stress myself out and 'optimize' again. I have other games for that :).

immutate 7y ago
I haven’t played Harvest Moon, but I agree with what you’re saying about SV and AC. I’ve spent far more hours in SV, but haven’t picked it back up since I started AC. One of the things I’ve found particularly fun is planning out and starting terraforming of my island in AC.

slightwinder 7y ago

They are very different. On surface they have similar mechanics and features, but focus and execution is quite different. In AC there is no energy-system like in SV. Time in AC is also way longer as it plays in real time. There is no need to sleep (as far as I known) and thus no penalty when missing bedtime. There is no real farming in AC, just collecting stuff, and a bit of arranging things. Overall, AC is very free from sources of stress, while SV has them everywhere, though it depends on yourself on much they impact you. Also, you can also get stress in AC, but only by setting yourself goals, not through the game itself.

swebs 7y ago

They're very different. Harvest moon is a farming simulator. Animal Crossing is a "hanging out in a small village" simulator. You don't have a job. You just log in each day and see what's happening. There's only so much to do per day and the time is based on the real world clock. So if you want to plant flowers, you have to wait three real days for them to grow. It's a game you play for a few minutes per day over the course of years, rather than one where you play for 40 hours in the first few weeks until you beat it.