Summary
Neopetsis already acultural phenomenon that’s managed to survivethroughout the various generational shifts of the internet butthe franchise’s latest spinoff looks to adopt a genre made popular by one of the cosiest games on the market:Animal Crossing. Most players will likely be most familar with the browser-version ofNeopets, a simple but charming game that allows players to adopt, customize, and hang out with adorable fantasy creatures.While that iteration is still popular, those looking for something a little more modern that’s also playable on the go should definitely check outTales of Darcadia.
Per the trailer,Neopets: Tales of Darcadialooks to evoke the island-management system that proved so popular forAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.
The footage showcases players cleaning up a plot of land that’s seemingly been ravaged by time while also constructing and customizing the landscape with various decorations and buildings. Of course,it wouldn’t be aNeopetsgame without the titular critters as players are able to populate their island with the animals, providing them with all the resources they need to entertain themselves and play in the sun.
15 Things You Forgot About Neopets
Remember those virtual pets that never die? No? Here’s a refresher about the sensation that was (and to some, still is) Neopets.
Tales of Darcadia Vs. Animal Crossing
Very Similar, But Very Different
On the surface, the similarities betweenDarcadiaandAnimal Crossingare apparent, especially when one considersNew Horizons.The idea of cleaning up and restructing an islandisn’t actually trademarked butNintendo certainly popularized the concept with its hit 2020 game. Building up the island by crafting structures and adopting Neopets instead of villagers definitely sounds familiar but while those similarities are difficult to ignore, there are some key factors that separate the two games.
Most obvious is the fact thatTales of Darcadiais available on mobile devices whileAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis a Nintendo Switch exclusive.Neopets' take on the genre also switches out the perspective,adopting an over-the-top camera that keeps the entire island in viewrather than following around the protagonist. Additionally, players will have significantly more control of their island’s residents; WhileAnimal Crossingtreats Villagers with a sense of individualityand “free will,“Tales of Darcadiaencourages users to customize their Neopets however they’d like.
Yet perhaps the biggest difference betweenAnimal CrossingandTales of Darcadiais how the latter fits into the widerNeopetsuniverse, providing players with a narrative to explore. Nintendo’s life-sim has always been very light on story, preferred to let players just enjoy the freedom of building their own world, butDarcadiahas a mystery at its center:The Town Planner is tasked with uncovering what exactly happened to devaste their islandin the first place. The game is now available for free on iOS and Android devices.
