Animal Crossing 2.0 copies the best parts of Stardew Valley

Farm, Cook, Repeat Down on the farm. by Corey Plante Updated: Feb. 20, 2024 Originally Published: Oct. 15, 2021 Nintendo / 505 Games

Nintendo Nintendo hosted a mid-October Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct , and it showcases the Version 2.0 update, which will be the final major free content update.

Nintendo Among a slew of updates that include the grand opening of Brewster ’s cafe, The Roost , New Horizons is getting even more features that make it resemble its biggest competition: Stardew Valley .

505 Games Stardew Valley is a pixelated farming and life simulator with similarly chill vibes but more immersive and realistic customization options.

Nintendo Finally, we can grow vegetables like tomatoes and wheat and “combine” them via new DIY recipes to cook food.

Nintendo After harvesting your crops, it’s time to cook.

The cooking menu functions just like item crafting, except you do it in your kitchen instead of a work bench.

Nintendo Now you got yourself a stew going!

Is it funny or terrifying when the Villager devours a pizza ... including the pizza stone? Nintendo

Nintendo It makes sense that vegetable farming and cooking would come in the same update that lets you sip coffee with your favorite pigeon.

Nintendo New Horizons has always been about building a community, but when you can grow your own food and share a cup of java with friends, things start to feel more realistic.

Version 2.0 also introduces new customization options for the exterior of your home via Tom Nook’s construction consultation counter, which is also something you can do in Stardew Valley.

Nintendo But the New Horizons Version 2.0 update is full of new features that are uniquely Animal Crossing.

Nintendo The ferry operator turtle Kapp’n will offer boat tours, serenading you with sea shanties on the way to mysterious new islands.

The Ordinance feature also comes to New Horizons, allowing players to adjust the schedule of residents, reap the literally rich rewards of a “Bell Boom,” or get help maintaining the community with the “Beautiful Island ordinance.”

Nintendo Optional stretching exercises in your town square also makes for chill vibes — and a novel way to use your Joy-Cons while playing.

Nintendo Even K.K. Slider gets an update: He’ll have more tunes and concerts in Version 2.0.

Nintendo Speaking of music, Giroids will also play a much bigger role, offering quirky sounds for your humble abode.

Nintendo Between all of that, new DIY recipes, and a slew of deeper customization options, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting better and better with the Version 2.0 update.

Nintendo Among many quality-of-life improvements, however, the seemingly Stardew Valley -inspired improvements to farming and cooking are by far the real highlight of Version 2.0.

Animal Crossing 2.0 copies the best parts of Stardew Valley

The cooking menu functions just like item crafting, except you do it in your kitchen instead of a work bench.

Version 2.0 also introduces new customization options for the exterior of your home via Tom Nook’s construction consultation counter, which is also something you can do in Stardew Valley.

The Ordinance feature also comes to New Horizons, allowing players to adjust the schedule of residents, reap the literally rich rewards of a “Bell Boom,” or get help maintaining the community with the “Beautiful Island ordinance.”

The version 2.0 update comes to Animal Crossing: New Horizons on November 5, 2021.

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