I’m sure we’re all eagerly awaiting any news from Nintendo about AC:HHD, but for the time being, let’s take a closer look at that Japanese trailer! Here it is again if you haven’t seen it already:
OK, let’s just into the trailer analysis!
At 0:10 into the trailer, we see the main character decorating Stitches‘ room. What’s interesting to point out is that the wallpaper is Egg Wall, an item from the Egg furniture series. Normally, you wouldn’t be able to buy this. The Egg furniture items are only available for trade from a special NPC, Zipper T., and he only shows up on Bunny Day. Does this mean we have access to rarer furniture items or will it be unlocked as we progress through the game?
At 0:12, we get a montage of different decorations, like this one to your left. As seen in other gameplay videos, players will be able to put decorative items on tables. This gives the room a more “lived in” feel. Also, notice the multiple lighting fixtures on the ceiling. This is a new furniture item players will be able to use in their design.
As mentioned at the start of the Japanese trailer, you’re not just decorating homes. At 0:17, we get a look at the inside of a restaurant (?). I would assume that players will get renovation requests from the core NPCs (e.g. Isabelle, Digby, etc).
About a minute in, we see the process of designing a home, which starts with placing it on the map. Again, this makes me wonder how many homes a map can hold and what happens when it’s full.
I just thought this was a hilarious choice for a house. It’s taking up the bridge so no other villager can ever cross the river! (Though I assume there’s more than one bridge…hopefully). Anyway, players also choose the style of the house, the fence, and the bridge. I really like this added feature as it allows players more customization options.
At 1:54, we get a look at the finished exterior design. Looks like we’ll be able to add plants and trees as well. What I’m most interested about is the furniture (looks like a Green Bench on the left, and some toys on the right). One question I have is whether there are any restrictions on what items can be placed outside vs. inside.
OK, THIS is officially the most amazing thing I’ve seen in the trailer so far: a golden toilet sitting in the middle of the room facing a rock garden. The important question here isn’t “what the heck was the villager’s design request??” but rather, does that mean players will be able to customize the colour of the furniture items? (The answer is yes if you skip to 8:09 in the trailer where it show colour changes for Polka Dot Sofa).
Here we get our first look at the screen where players will be choosing different items. The house icon seems rather obvious – it opens up a list of furniture items. We’ve got beds, tables, chairs, wardrobes/cabinets (?), music (?), bathroom items (Gold Toilet FTW!), and lighting.
At 3:06, we get a look at the bottom screen where the player can quickly move items around. The top icons: House (does this open up the menu on the previous screenshot?), Leaf (furniture items?), Painting (wall items?), Rug (obvious, as seen in the trailer), Pencil (I’m guessing this is customization options for furniture items).
Alrighty, well that ends part 1 of my trailer analysis. Check back later for part 2! As always, be sure to give me a follow on Twitter, @ACHappyHomes!
Until next time, villagers!
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer 