Why Blathers Could Be The Next Animal Crossing Game’s Secret Weapon

While new rumors suggesting the next Animal Crossing game will not be released until 2026 might be disappointing for fans to hear, a longer development time could point toward the game taking a big step forward from its predecessor. Animal Crossing: New Horizons was already a massive step forward for the franchise with its overhaul of customization options for players, but many took issue with the game’s pacing and lack of distinct activities for players to participate in at launch. In response, the next Animal Crossing could completely revitalize the formula from New Horizons by leaning on a familiar NPC as a focal point for the game’s activities.

A staple of every mainline Animal Crossing game is the string of quests players are tasked with completing during the game’s opening hours. Traditionally, players would work for Tom Nook in his shop in order to pay back some of the debt they owe on their home, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons changes things a bit and instead has players work towards building initial shelters on their island. The next Animal Crossing could shake up the formula even more and let another NPC like Blathers be the central figure guiding the player throughout the game.

Blathers Could Play a Pivotal Role in the Next Animal Crossing Game

Aside from designing and decorating their island, one of the main activities for players in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is filling out their Critterpedia with fish, bugs, and sea creatures found around their island. Daily, weekly, or even seasonal tasks like collecting these critters, digging up fossils, and purchasing artwork from Redd all comprise the core gameplay loop of the Animal Crossing series. The main goal of these tasks is not only to fill out the Critterpedia, but also to complete the island’s museum at the behest of its caretaker, Blathers.

Blathers is already a fairly popular NPC and one that players will interact with frequently throughout most Animal Crossing games. As the curator of the museum, players will be visiting Blathers anytime they donate a fish, bug, or fossil to the museum, giving this NPC an already crucial role in the franchise. However, while the museum received a massive upgrade in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Blathers himself could do a lot more to engage with players throughout the game, potentially setting him up to take over Tom Nook’s role in the next game.

How Blathers Could Be Animal Crossing’s New Tom Nook

Given the important role Blathers already plays in the Animal Crossing series, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him take over for Tom Nook as the primary force driving players’ activities. In most Animal Crossing games, the core gameplay loop runs through Tom Nook as players try to earn money to pay off their house to upgrade it and restart the cycle. However, Animal Crossing: New Horizons introduced a new addition to this gameplay loop with Nook Miles as a way to encourage players to complete mini-quests to earn this currency that could be exchanged for special items like Nook Miles Tickets.

The next Animal Crossing could do something similar with Blathers and allow players to complete certain tasks for him, such as catching specific fish and bugs or answering trivia questions about the species in the museum’s collection. Players could even work at the museum and complete daily tasks there for bells or other rewards, similar to the classic feature of working at Nook’s Cranny at the start of past Animal Crossing games. While these types of tasks don’t have to be anything too in-depth, building on the foundation of the gameplay loop centered on Blathers and the museum by offering players new activities to complete seems like a no-brainer.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Released

March 20, 2020

Developer(s)

Nintendo EPD

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Genre(s)

Simulation

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Local Multiplayer

ESRB

E for Everyone: Comic Mischief

Expansions

Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Happy Home Paradise

How Long To Beat

61 Hours