As the time between significant Animal Crossing: New Horizons updates grows, players have begun discussing what a potential sequel could look like - and particularly what it could borrow from other popular simulation games, such as Stardew Valley. The indie game's farming- and relationship-based mechanics would fit in well with the world of Animal Crossing, and there are quite a few Stardew Valley features Nintendo could benefit from borrowing for a New Horizons sequel.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons already began to more strongly resemble Stardew Valley with last fall's addition of farming mechanics, a first for the series. Thus far, however, only pumpkin farming has been added, despite frequent requests from fans to introduce more crops. It remains a possibility that additional Animal Crossing farming space will be added, if leaks pointing to an island expansion prove true.

Related: Why Animal Crossing's Islands Might Finally Get Bigger

Besides more farming, New Horizons could also use more variation in its relationships. Players can talk to villagers and give them gifts to form close friendships, as is featured in Stardew Valley, but there's little opportunity to do anything beyond that. Stardew Valley includes a mechanic known as "heart events," which are unique cutscenes that unlock when a strong enough relationship has been formed between the player character and an NPC. An Animal Crossing: New Horizons sequel could implement similar scenes, but it should pull even more from Stardew Valley's storytelling.

What Animal Crossing: New Horizons Can Learn From Stardew Valley

What Animal Crossing Should Copy From Stardew Valley For ACNH's Sequel Story

One of the biggest differences between Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is their story content. While there is some level of narrative within New Horizons - players are walked through the early stages of the game by Tom Nook, who helps their island progress through the tutorial - it's largely secondary and more or less vanishes once players get K.K. Slider to visit. Stardew Valley, meanwhile, puts its story in central focus. Restoring the community center can take players years of in-game time to complete, and even then, the game keeps them invested with additional story elements, such as the return of the player character's grandfather. The town's conflict with JojaMart is also an important narrative thread.

Without a story, players have little incentive to keep playing New Horizons after completing their major goals. Completing the museum or even larger challenges such as collecting every DIY recipe have no real purpose beyond personal accomplishment. Given that major updates are few and far between, many fans have difficulty maintaining interest. A more story-focused Animal Crossing would both give returning fans more reason to keep playing and give new players an easier time getting into game. For now, it remains to be seen what further updates are planned for Animal Crossing: New Horizons - or if New Horizons will get a sequel instead.

Next: When Animal Crossing's Next 2021 Update Is Coming