Happy Home Designer review

Now that I have both a physical and digital copy of Happy Home Designer and have played it over a week, I think it's a good time to do a review of the game. First, I need to note that this is the Japanese copy I'm using, and when games are localized there are changes that are made beyond simple translation from Japanese to other languages. That said, some of the things I experience in this game may be changed in other regions- mainly names and such.

I am impressed overall with this game. It uses New Leaf's engine, so expect only minor updates to the graphics from New Leaf. The game focuses on the designing aspect of the series though, so don't expect to spend all day fishing, or bug hunting like in previous Animal Crossing games. No holidays to celebrate either. You start off by choosing your entire look- from the hair, to the eyes, both color and style, to the repeatedly fan requested skin color. Don't worry, you can always change it all later on, as there's a hair salon machine on the second floor.

Your primary purpose is to work for Nook's Homes as an interior coordinator, which expands as you play from just the interior's furniture, wallpaper and flooring to later include plots of land, curtains, style of windows, even sound effects! The expansions occur either playing it, or through the use of play coins where you "study" new designs at your desk. The "day" in the game occurs after one design, and does not run on the internal clock like past games, so when you sit at your desk to save, the day officially ends. Typically, depending on how much thought and effort you put into each design, they can range anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour- longer especially if you keep rearranging items, or want certain items to fit in certain places.

The game has a Main Street where the government official Isabelle coordinates for "New Town". Upgrades include a school, an office, a department store, a restaurant, a convenience store, even a hospital! After you build the new building, designing it inside and out, you can later return to watch animals interacting with each other, and your building. Some of the cutest dialog seems to come from these interactions. At its core, it's still an Animal Crossing game, a game based around communication and dialog, and this game features no shortage of that, ranging from animals who think they're dying from being sick, to others who wish they had more pocket money for the store.

There are a few drawbacks to the game besides the missing real-time clock. There's only one save file, so only one person can play per copy, unlike past games which allowed up to 4. One of my favorite aspects of the series is gone too, and that's the museum, with its bugs, fish, fossils and art work. You no longer have to search and hunt for any of these items, they're solely used as furniture pieces, and unlock with play coins, and villager requests. Same too with gyroids, or haniwa in Japan.

This game isn't aimed at those who play Animal Crossing simply to interact directly with friends, as there are no gates to open to allow people into your town. Instead, it allows pictures to be taken and uploaded directly to MiiVerse or the internet, so players can share their pics of their designs, or some of the cute dialog from the animals. The dialog doesn't feature yes and no answers to questions as in prior games, it's similar to the type of "conversations" players have with past residents who show up on Main Street in New Leaf.

A major benefit to the game, and one I'm glad they allow. After you design a house or a project, there is the option to remake it later on. So, if you forgot to add something the first time, or thought about something you'd like to change, don't worry, you an always change it later. These little features are what will keep bringing players back long after they've "finished" the game.

The amiibo cards are a nice little addition, but left me feeling a bit lacking. Sure, you can build the house by scanning whomever into it, and can put them into whatever building allows for it, but that was it. They aren't required, and really are only needed if you're a collector trying to get every single card, or if there are particular animals you want to design houses for who don't randomly show up to request one. It's not too different from what they did in doubutsu no mori e+ in that you scanned the e-reader card, and that villager would then move to your town.

All in all, it's not going to command the thousands of hours of past Animal Crossing games, but it's still an addictive, cute, fun-loving Animal Crossing game that fits nicely into the series with its bigger full-sized siblings. I give it an 8 out of 10 overall.