MeinMMO editor Jasmin is eagerly waiting for a new installment of Animal Crossing. However, the team behind Genshin Impact has now introduced a new title, Petit Planet, which significantly shakes up the title of their “Most Wanted”.
I am a gigantic fan of Animal Crossing. It might even be my all-time favorite series. There are several reasons for this:
- I am a big fan of cozy games, and Animal Crossing combines many elements that I enjoy, including decorating my own house and nurturing friendships with small gifts.
- There is so much to do, as the game is designed for daily play. You can catch bugs, shop for clothes, and visit dubious vendors.
- I have a strong emotional connection to the series since I often played Animal Crossing Wild World with my brothers during my childhood. With Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I was stuck in isolation during the lockdown because of Covid-19. The game helped me out of that loneliness.
That’s why a new Animal Crossing is actually at the top of my most wanted games. I’ve spent more time with this series than any other, by far. Therefore, I believe that a new installment could entertain me just as long.
However, HoYoverse, the team behind Genshin Impact, has now introduced a new title. And it could be that my wish list has shifted a bit… could…
Petit Planet lets you design your own planet
In Petit Planet, you find yourself in space. You live on a small planet that you can fully decorate. Besides the land and coastline, even the sky can be freely designed. Other activities are similar to those in Animal Crossing: you can fish, catch bugs, or (like in New Horizons) grow food such as turnips, pumpkins, or tomatoes.
Additionally, players can interact with other inhabitants, who unfortunately appear to be designed with significantly more charm than those in Animal Crossing.
What bothers me in Animal Crossing is the fixed personalities of the residents. There are predefined personality types like “Snooty” or “Lazy”. And once you meet a resident of that type, you already know all the other neighbors who belong to that category. A bit more individuality would have been nice here.
As can be seen from the trailer, the inhabitants in Petit Planet have been designed with a bit more attention to detail. This could certainly be misleading, so we’ll have to wait and see how they interact with the player.
What I also find unfortunate about Animal Crossing: You are trapped on your own island. While there is now the option to explore other islands by plane, the world in between is not visible to the player.
In Petit Planet, according to the trailer, you can also explore outer space. There should be “beautiful encounters and surprises,” as HoYoverse states. Whether the exploration is worthwhile remains to be seen. However, the space theme is so beautifully chosen that my anticipation is already immense.
One downside is this: Since the game is from HoYoverse, it will likely be a free-to-play title with gacha elements. You might have to acquire furniture or other residents through random pulls that require real money investment. One user under the official YouTube video aptly stated: “I can’t wait to get the 5-star toilet.”
This could lead some players to spend more money than planned. Players who are prone to gambling addiction should therefore steer clear of the title if it does indeed include these mechanics again.
Currently, several developers are jumping on the cozy hype train. The developers of Palworld are also working on a new farming game. They are currently in a legal dispute with Nintendo: While Nintendo wants to ban every copy of Pokémon, Palworld announces a new game on Steam featuring pocket monsters in the style of Stardew Valley
