I want to understand why some people despise New Horizons

[KittenNoir]

I am really enjoying the game I joined the animal crossing community when I started playing New Leaf back in 2013 and loved it ever since. I was so keen to get my hands on New Horizons I would watch a new video about it on YouTube everyday and keep checking online for more information about the game and had a countdown to it on all my devices.

What makes me sad is when people say that dislike the game or that they are not looking forward to certain updates and so on cause I get super excited about things that are coming up or happening and then I see all negative comments on something that I was looking forward to which puts me in a sad mood

 

[TheKryptoKnight]

I am really enjoying the game I joined the animal crossing community when I started playing New Leaf back in 2013 and loved it ever since. I was so keen to get my hands on New Horizons I would watch a new video about it on YouTube everyday and keep checking online for more information about the game and had a countdown to it on all my devices.

What makes me sad is when people say that dislike the game or that they are not looking forward to certain updates and so on cause I get super excited about things that are coming up or happening and then I see all negative comments on something that I was looking forward to which puts me in a sad mood

You're not alone One thing to always remember is that we're on the internet and negativity is always going to be louder than positivity. I still regularly watch animal crossing YT videos and am pumped for every update!

One thing that's helped me a LOT is unfollowing/blocking certain people who are ALWAYS negative. I definitely don't block everyone who criticizes, criticisms are sometimes legitimate, but if you're finding there are certain people who you can count on like clockwork to be negative about everything... It might help to not see posts from them anymore

 

[Dunquixote]

I am really enjoying the game I joined the animal crossing community when I started playing New Leaf back in 2013 and loved it ever since. I was so keen to get my hands on New Horizons I would watch a new video about it on YouTube everyday and keep checking online for more information about the game and had a countdown to it on all my devices.

What makes me sad is when people say that dislike the game or that they are not looking forward to certain updates and so on cause I get super excited about things that are coming up or happening and then I see all negative comments on something that I was looking forward to which puts me in a sad mood

You’re not the only one. In spite of not being completely happy about the game, I do enjoy focusing on the positives in the game, try to look forward to the updates, and discussing them in the threads.

 

[John Wick]

There is also toxic positivity that is hurtful to those of us who are passionate about a game we've loved for many, many years, who do have valid criticisms that shouldn't be dismissed as purely being 'negative'.

We simply want more from a game that has the potential, and already has the means, to be almost the perfect Animal Crossing game.

I do love the game, but at the same time I am frustrated and annoyed.

Blocking works for toxic positivity too, if it gets too bad.

Whatever keeps the peace.

 

[Mezzanine]

Honestly, I think the non-stop complaining about this game gets on my nerves more than the people who look at this game with rose-tinted shades. Plain old toxicity isn't any better than "toxic positivity. " Nintendo flat out doesn't listen, so mulling over this games same problems it had upon release 7 months later is just wasted energy IMO
Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of complaints about how NH was handled. I still really like it, it's mostly smaller things that tick me off. I nitpick a lot too. But I agree about people sometimes souring the mood regarding future updates. Sometimes it feels like people are waiting with bated breath for things to complain about.

 

[Dunquixote]

Honestly, I think the non-stop complaining about this game gets on my nerves more than the people who look at this game with rose-tinted shades. Plain old toxicity isn't any better than "toxic positivity. " Nintendo flat out doesn't listen, so mulling over this games same problems it had upon release 7 months later is just wasted energy IMO
Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of complaints about how NH was handled. I still really like it, it's mostly smaller things that tick me off. I nitpick a lot too. But I agree about people sometimes souring the mood regarding future updates. Sometimes it feels like people are waiting with bated breath for things to complain about.

I can agree to a point. I think there is nothing wrong thoughwith providing constructive criticism especially if a thread is asking for your opinion on certain aspects of the game. Constructive criticism to me is: “I enjoy the game but I think there are a lot of things lacking such as: a,b, c. This is why I feel this way.”

 

[Noel_in_Sunrise]

Honestly, I think the non-stop complaining about this game gets on my nerves more than the people who look at this game with rose-tinted shades. Plain old toxicity isn't any better than "toxic positivity. " Nintendo flat out doesn't listen, so mulling over this games same problems it had upon release 7 months later is just wasted energy IMO
Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of complaints about how NH was handled. I still really like it, it's mostly smaller things that tick me off. I nitpick a lot too. But I agree about people sometimes souring the mood regarding future updates. Sometimes it feels like people are waiting with bated breath for things to complain about.

I don't think that it is a fair assessment to say that people look forward to complaining about something any more than it is fair to say that people look forward to being relentlessly positive regardless of the circumstances. Some people feel bolstered by positivity and some by criticism. I like some of both honestly, but since since I grew up with in a situation where toxic positivity was enforced with abuse, criticism does not make me uncomfortable in the way that people telling others not to be critical does. I imagine that a lot of other people have dealt with things that are traumatic in the opposite direction.
I feel like sometimes people take negativity as an intention to harm when it often isn't.

I do not think negativity counts as toxic unless you are telling others people that they are broken or less valuable for being more positive about the game. That is what makes toxic positivity toxic--the underlying message that the other person is broken for not being entirely positive. Positivity or negativity both have the potential for harm.

The concept of 'souring' an atmosphere is a little frustrating to me, as different atmospheres are healthier for different people. I want both kinds of people--those who prefer positivity and those who don't to have a safe space. Is this impossible because negative comments ruin things for positive people? (I am genuinely asking. I have no idea.)

I hope this is okay. I felt a bit attacked by your post and wanted to make sure I understood you and was understood in turn.

 

[John Wick]

Sometimes people may be overly positive because deep inside, they are reading things they themselves can't bring themselves to post.

I certainly don't wait around with baited breath to complain, and wouldn't complain if there wasn't a reason, as I don't like feeling negative myself.

I give credit where it's due, and like a lot of other older/long time AC players, we are just waiting (hoping) for some of the missing content, because it is frustrating, and makes you feel powerless because we can't force Nintendo to give us what we've enjoyed in other games.

If they do, I'll be the first to heap a crapload of praise onto them (Nintendo).
NH, as I've said many times, could be the perfect AC game.

Until then, we can always hope the next update gives more of those items.
It's just that so far, we've had virtually no real furniture injected back into NH.

 

[Lanstar]

I don't think that it is a fair assessment to say that people look forward to complaining about something any more than it is fair to say that people look forward to being relentlessly positive regardless of the circumstances. Some people feel bolstered by positivity and some by criticism. I like some of both honestly, but since since I grew up with in a situation where toxic positivity was enforced with abuse, criticism does not make me uncomfortable in the way that people telling others not to be critical does. I imagine that a lot of other people have dealt with things that are traumatic in the opposite direction.
I feel like sometimes people take negativity as an intention to harm when it often isn't.

I do not think negativity counts as toxic unless you are telling others people that they are broken or less valuable for being more positive about the game. That is what makes toxic positivity toxic--the underlying message that the other person is broken for not being entirely positive. Positivity or negativity both have the potential for harm.

The concept of 'souring' an atmosphere is a little frustrating to me, as different atmospheres are healthier for different people. I want both kinds of people--those who prefer positivity and those who don't to have a safe space. Is this impossible because negative comments ruin things for positive people? (I am genuinely asking. I have no idea.)

I hope this is okay. I felt a bit attacked by your post and wanted to make sure I understood you and was understood in turn.

I don't mind reading people's problems about the game.

What I do mind is when people constantly scream their same problems about the game in EVERY. SINGLE. THREAD. they have the opportunity to do so.

I.E. They have this sort of agenda to make to spoil the enjoyment for the people that do enjoy the game despite acknowledging its flaws. It's the classic, "I don't like it, so neither should you" mentality that pretty much ruins conversations in the forums.

People like that are those I put on my ignore list, and wish the mods would block from this forum, as that is just flat out trolling.

 

[Marshmallows]

I've voiced complaints, but I do love the game and play every day. I guess it's just about venting and hoping things change.

There's been a big focus on terraforming, and while that's awesome and a very welcome feature, it seems other things were cut back. I feel there's been a shift to make the game more Instagram and Homes and Gardens picture worthy, and less about a living growing town with things to do and people to get to know. But even so, I like decorating and the game is fine as is.

I think I was a bit spoiled by Pocket Camp as well with the amount of outdoor decorations and the many themed items. I was expecting New Leaf on an island with the added Pocket Camp items. I really thought there'd be more interactions between you and the villagers and the villagers and placed furniture. It just seems like it could have been better.

 

[Monokuma73]

I was thinking for a while, if I want to reply in this tread...
I'm not really sure, why we should use words like "despise" or "hate". I understand "haters gonna hate" - and it happens everywhere, but if someone loosing interest about this or any games, should be no reason to stay any longer on forum like this and participate in discussions, unless providing help for less experienced users.

Players are customers and may have some demands, like good hardware / good software and if there is a problem it should be reported. No matter if game is considered as a best one or not, problems existing and solution has to be found.
We can not forget about sharing own opinion or just expressing "what we don't like and what could work better". For example inventory management - what in my opinion could be much better and user friendly. If I will say something like this will it be "despise"? Do I really need blindly accept every single game mechanic? No, I don't have to - but, if I don't like / not happy about some of game elements not making game as a whole bad.

I understand there are people, just hating / despising games, newer played and having absolutely "zero knowledge". I had quite funny situation, when one of my colleagues from work had PS4 and played only Fifa. This person called a **** every other single game not being Fifa. It's really sad, but this happens. If we would like to enjoy any product, if any product is suitable for us, and if we are sensitive for other opinions, we should just avoid any toxic discussions or environment.
We can't forget there's no perfect game for everyone - and doesn't matter if we approve or not, not everyone will share our opinion, not everyone will like the same what we like.

 

[NatsumiSummer]

Yep. Exactly.

I bought the switch for NH alone, hoping it would be at least, as good as NL.
I have no other games.

It's a fact the pandemic is one of the reasons (not the only reason) for the absurd amount of hours.

Just google it.

I know WAY more people that bought a Switch for other games. And besides you could have just given up NH and played NL
Sell your Switch and NH if you are so disappointed in it. You obviously think it is garbage anyways.

I also know a few people who got a Switch for NH, but they also ended up buying other games for it too.

You could have easily put it down instead of playing something you hate. No one is forcing you to play JUST NH. You could go back and play a older AC game.

 

[-Blue-]

I can understand where he is coming from. I bought an Xbox solely for Banjo Kazooie 3, which happened to just turn into Nuts and Bolts. And I was not happy.

 

[Corrie]

There is also toxic positivity that is hurtful to those of us who are passionate about a game we've loved for many, many years, who do have valid criticisms that shouldn't be dismissed as purely being 'negative'.

We simply want more from a game that has the potential, and already has the means, to be almost the perfect Animal Crossing game.

I do love the game, but at the same time I am frustrated and annoyed.

Blocking works for toxic positivity too, if it gets too bad.

Whatever keeps the peace.

Spouting opinions about how things could be better is always welcome because who doesn't want the game to get better? I love the Animal Crossing series and would hate for everyone to just shout endless amounts of praise and love everything just because it's Animal Crossing. People did that with the Pokemon series and look what mess it turned out to be. I don't want the same thing for Animal Crossing.

We bought a game with hopes it would be better than its earlier games like it always had been. Since it isn't really in a lot of ways, we're disappointed and have every right to be. To me, it's a shame it sold well. That means they know they can get away with that low standard for the next game(s).

 

[wolfie1]

I think it has to do with the fact that this game is lacking a lot of things and mechanics other previous iterations had from the beginning, not via monthly or seasonal updates. For example, New Leaf had only one big update and it wasn't full of game-changing stuff, if I recall correctly (only Harvey and a couple of things more). You could just play the game like you had done up until then.
However, this iteration was sort of "bare" when it was first released. I understand this is a tactic to keep people engaged by releasing periodic updates every other month, and I also think it has to do with the fact that, in general, people who time travel get bored more quickly, as they have done everything there is to do, or "cheat". Building up on this, the fact that they only include mechanics or objects that players could previously find in past games doesn't help the franchise, as there's nothing really new. I personally would love to have Nintendo add previous things as well as new ones to keep things fresh.
I still play every day and I don't plan to drop the game anytime soon, but I can't compare the time I used to spend playing this game during the first months with how long my daily playing sessions are right now.

 

[Garrett]

Some people are just miserable and enjoy moaning.

/shrugs

I'm delighted with New Horizons, my favourite Animal Crossing ever.

 

[-Blue-]

Spouting opinions about how things could be better is always welcome because who doesn't want the game to get better? I love the Animal Crossing series and would hate for everyone to just shout endless amounts of praise and love everything just because it's Animal Crossing. People did that with the Pokemon series and look what mess it turned out to be. I don't want the same thing for Animal Crossing.

We bought a game with hopes it would be better than its earlier games like it always had been. Since it isn't really in a lot of ways, we're disappointed and have every right to be. To me, it's a shame it sold well. That means they know they can get away with that low standard for the next game(s).

I'll admit, I never played Pokemon except for the gameboy era. And I kind of got out of it, but figured what the heck, I'll try Sword/Shield. (I got Shield) and I did like it, but that's also because I didn't have a lot to compare it to. My last game I was fully invested in was Pokemon Red and Blue lol, so it's definitely better than that version.

But I've seen people show Youtube clips of comparisons of the previous versions and I can see they cut corners a lot. Most of the Pokemon do little static bunny hops when they attack, but in the previous version examples they were very animate with how they attacked.

Some people are just miserable and enjoy moaning.

/shrugs

I'm delighted with New Horizons, my favourite Animal Crossing ever.

I still like New Horizons, but I feel it could had been better. Will I still play it, yes. So far I've seen the 'positive' people being more passive aggressive/rude to the people pointing out flaws why they aren't as happy with the game as those who aren't as disappointed with the game. The topic title even is asking for their opinion on the matter ('so I can understand') and instead I find a good amount of replies attacking them.

 

[KimvW]

I am really enjoying the game I joined the animal crossing community when I started playing New Leaf back in 2013 and loved it ever since. I was so keen to get my hands on New Horizons I would watch a new video about it on YouTube everyday and keep checking online for more information about the game and had a countdown to it on all my devices.

What makes me sad is when people say that dislike the game or that they are not looking forward to certain updates and so on cause I get super excited about things that are coming up or happening and then I see all negative comments on something that I was looking forward to which puts me in a sad mood

I love this game as well (it has definitely helped my during the lockdowns) and get sad sometimes when people are very negative about the game. I think that is normal when people talk negatively about something you really like. What I try to remeber is that people likely complain because the love the game or the franchise. New Horizons is my first AC game, so I don't miss the old features but feel excited at the prospect of them being added via updates. However, if you are a long term player, I could fully understand why you might be dissapointed that these features are not in the game to start with and as a result might be more negative about the game.

There's no right or wrong, just different perspectives

 

[Airysuit]

I like this game. I like new leaf. When I feel like having NL features I play NL. When I feel like having NH features I play NH

They both have their flaws, but more importantly they both have great strengths, within context of the period they came out.

They both offer a different kind of home to me

So I also dont understand the criticism beyond the constructive criticism, but than again, I am also not a game critic or expert whatsoever, nor do I now how to please such a big audience

 

[Corrie]

I'll admit, I never played Pokemon except for the gameboy era. And I kind of got out of it, but figured what the heck, I'll try Sword/Shield. (I got Shield) and I did like it, but that's also because I didn't have a lot to compare it to. My last game I was fully invested in was Pokemon Red and Blue lol, so it's definitely better than that version.

But I've seen people show Youtube clips of comparisons of the previous versions and I can see they cut corners a lot. Most of the Pokemon do little static bunny hops when they attack, but in the previous version examples they were very animate with how they attacked.

I still like New Horizons, but I feel it could had been better. Will I still play it, yes. So far I've seen the 'positive' people being more passive aggressive/rude to the people pointing out flaws why they aren't as happy with the game as those who aren't as disappointed with the game. The topic title even is asking for their opinion on the matter ('so I can understand') and instead I find a good amount of replies attacking them.

Oh wow! Yeah that would be a giant jump! I'd recommend trying out other games in the series as well if you can find them. I've played FireRed, Sapphire, Pearl, White, Alpha Sapphire, Ultra Moon and X. I didn't care for X or Ultra Moon much but I liked the other ones. I've heard HeartGold/SoulSilver are great too but I haven't played them (or any gen 2 game actually). I should try them.