DLC to the degree that Happy Home Paradise is, always stumps me in a matter of whether it should be consider a full game or not. While I don't think most people would have bought this game as a standalone, as DLC it absolutely works despite the fact it's also effectively it's own game. And in that sense, it kinda dives into a deeper problem with the way DLC has been opt'd in compared to the far superior "expansion content" that we yearned for in yesteryear. I don't want to go into a big debate about it, but download content like Happy Home Paradise works far more as an expansion of Animal Crossing: New Horizions and succeeds as it's own story and narrative to tell.
So much of Happy Home Paradise works because the way it expanses both New Horizons gameplay, and the previous game spin off, Happy Home Designer. Happy Home Academy was an interesting spin off that focused on home decor, but it honestly just didn't encourage the player to stay too much in the lines of what the client wanted, and due to having a lower amount to customize both inside and out, became repetitive around the half way point. While HHP still has the problem of repetitive design making, the pacing itself is spread just enough to keep you interested till the campaign itself is actually done. From simply withholding certain abilities, to gaining access to certain villagers, and mostly just expanding the catalogue that you have to fill each villagers vacation homes.
By the time that you feel like you know everything there is to know about designing, the game basically opens up to the point where you can simply choose villagers that you like, and make their home for them. While I can't say Happy Home Designer didn't try to make the novelties from Paradise work, as the game is mostly a blur to me, the bigger part to why Paradise works so well is how it expands the list of things you can do in New Horizons itself. By the simple part that HHP is meant to be more of a expansion of New Horizons, so to would it give you more things to do in your New Horizons island. From simply making vacation homes for your villagers, buying new furniture, and of course, designing their homes on your island. On top of all this, Paradise even makes use of the facilities that you make on the island by giving you various rewards for checking in daily or simply just new places to hang out. In a lot of ways, Paradise is a much better sequel to Designer on the simple fact it actually feels rewarding to do your job and earn new stuff for your island compared to just making something pretty.
I think Happy Home Paradise could only simply be a expansion on New Horizons, and never a standalone game for the simple reason that you want to feel like the game is rewarding. While I understand a lot of people will simply love the amount of customization you can do in this content, the major selling point for most will be all the added features that help New Horizon islands. In that way, Paradise easily surpasses Designer's legacy by giving me more to care about aside from a small narrative story. While Paradise does have a nice little narrative story on it's own, the simply truth is that it never really gets to an interesting point that would really make you yearn for more. Happy Home Paradise is completely something that only fans of New Horizons would want, and in that respect, it absolutely delivers.
So much of Happy Home Paradise works because the way it expanses both New Horizons gameplay, and the previous game spin off, Happy Home Designer. Happy Home Academy was an interesting spin off that focused on home decor, but it honestly just didn't encourage the player to stay too much in the lines of what the client wanted, and due to having a lower amount to customize both inside and out, became repetitive around the half way point. While HHP still has the problem of repetitive design making, the pacing itself is spread just enough to keep you interested till the campaign itself is actually done. From simply withholding certain abilities, to gaining access to certain villagers, and mostly just expanding the catalogue that you have to fill each villagers vacation homes.
By the time that you feel like you know everything there is to know about designing, the game basically opens up to the point where you can simply choose villagers that you like, and make their home for them. While I can't say Happy Home Designer didn't try to make the novelties from Paradise work, as the game is mostly a blur to me, the bigger part to why Paradise works so well is how it expands the list of things you can do in New Horizons itself. By the simple part that HHP is meant to be more of a expansion of New Horizons, so to would it give you more things to do in your New Horizons island. From simply making vacation homes for your villagers, buying new furniture, and of course, designing their homes on your island. On top of all this, Paradise even makes use of the facilities that you make on the island by giving you various rewards for checking in daily or simply just new places to hang out. In a lot of ways, Paradise is a much better sequel to Designer on the simple fact it actually feels rewarding to do your job and earn new stuff for your island compared to just making something pretty.
I think Happy Home Paradise could only simply be a expansion on New Horizons, and never a standalone game for the simple reason that you want to feel like the game is rewarding. While I understand a lot of people will simply love the amount of customization you can do in this content, the major selling point for most will be all the added features that help New Horizon islands. In that way, Paradise easily surpasses Designer's legacy by giving me more to care about aside from a small narrative story. While Paradise does have a nice little narrative story on it's own, the simply truth is that it never really gets to an interesting point that would really make you yearn for more. Happy Home Paradise is completely something that only fans of New Horizons would want, and in that respect, it absolutely delivers.