This review will only discuss the changes made to the e+ version, of which there are many.
If Doubutsu no Mori + is the expanded, definitive edition of Doubutsu no Mori, then Doubutsu no Mori e+ is the same of the western Animal Crossing.
e+'s biggest difference from Doubutsu no Mori +/Animal Crossing - and biggest accomplishment - is that it takes one step closer toward Wild World in making the villagers feel like their own individual beings. They can get sick now, their conversations between other villagers can be overheard, they can develop a more tangible friendship with you and reward you with exclusive items; in e+ these are live K.K. recordings which can be played in your house. These features more or less returned in Wild World only to become minimized in later entries.
Beyond that, the world has been expanded with some really charming new features, such as visiting Nook's store after-hours while he's wearing pajamas and being able to access the elusive Reset Surveillance Center. An early version of New Leaf's Public Works Projects has been implemented, most of which unfortunately look rather out of place here. Neat idea, though.
Many furniture items from Doubutsu no Mori / + that were removed in Animal Crossing have been brought back along with several new furniture items, but unfortunately the Japanese events and holidays are still absent.
e+ also features some technical improvements that push it just a little beyond its N64 roots: the higher resolution font which now supports kanji, the removal of the ink limit when writing letters, the ability to take screenshots and save them to an SD card. Small things, but very much appreciated.
The only questionable changes are removing the option to ask villagers for tasks, and making the coelacanth spawn once per save load... The coelacanth thing in particular is just baffling to me.
There is an argument to be made that Doubutsu no Mori + is still superior with it's stronger cultural identity: the Japan-exclusive character designs, events, and items. I feel +, e+, and Wild World are all tied as the three best Animal Crossing experiences, but e+ is the one I have the most fondness for personally because of its variety and charm. All three are masterpieces.
If Doubutsu no Mori + is the expanded, definitive edition of Doubutsu no Mori, then Doubutsu no Mori e+ is the same of the western Animal Crossing.
e+'s biggest difference from Doubutsu no Mori +/Animal Crossing - and biggest accomplishment - is that it takes one step closer toward Wild World in making the villagers feel like their own individual beings. They can get sick now, their conversations between other villagers can be overheard, they can develop a more tangible friendship with you and reward you with exclusive items; in e+ these are live K.K. recordings which can be played in your house. These features more or less returned in Wild World only to become minimized in later entries.
Beyond that, the world has been expanded with some really charming new features, such as visiting Nook's store after-hours while he's wearing pajamas and being able to access the elusive Reset Surveillance Center. An early version of New Leaf's Public Works Projects has been implemented, most of which unfortunately look rather out of place here. Neat idea, though.
Many furniture items from Doubutsu no Mori / + that were removed in Animal Crossing have been brought back along with several new furniture items, but unfortunately the Japanese events and holidays are still absent.
e+ also features some technical improvements that push it just a little beyond its N64 roots: the higher resolution font which now supports kanji, the removal of the ink limit when writing letters, the ability to take screenshots and save them to an SD card. Small things, but very much appreciated.
The only questionable changes are removing the option to ask villagers for tasks, and making the coelacanth spawn once per save load... The coelacanth thing in particular is just baffling to me.
There is an argument to be made that Doubutsu no Mori + is still superior with it's stronger cultural identity: the Japan-exclusive character designs, events, and items. I feel +, e+, and Wild World are all tied as the three best Animal Crossing experiences, but e+ is the one I have the most fondness for personally because of its variety and charm. All three are masterpieces.