.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
Animal Crossing New Horizons' recent Direct was positively jam-packed with information. So much so that a lot of little hints were overlooked! Eagle-eyes have come across some interesting things hidden in the presentation.
The massive new 2.0 update is just around the corner - releasing on November 5th! Players are already clearing areas for new builds, and saving up Bells for buying bits and bobs. Information of the big reveals has spread throughout the whole community, but some smaller things are just being noticed. Let's take a look at some of them here!
10 New Plant Varieties
One of the first things shown in the recent Direct was a player running around a jungle-themed mystery island. These new themed islands will add a lot more options for adventure, including new vegetation!
In the snippet, fans saw new vines climbing the side of raised levels, a yellow patch of weeds, and some new bush varieties! Players will have to wait to find out the names of these new bushes, but they look like new variants of the Azaleas - previously only available in bright or light pink.
9 Customized Fences Don't Link
Fans were delighted to see not one, not two, but nine new types of fencing are being added to the game! But this was not all - a lot of previous (and new) fence designs are able to be customized!
It seems that there is one small issue with this, though. Judging by a scene in the trailer, it appears that customized fence parts do not link if they are not the same color. The Direct showed villager Purrl wandering in a park, with both blue and yellow fence sections, which were not interlinked. Hopefully, this will be tweaked in a later patch!
8 Wardell Is Likely Wendell's Son
Fans have noticed another old-time NPC that has not been featured in New Horizons at all - Wendell! Wendell was a walrus that wound wander towns begging villagers for a morsel of food, and in return would give a special pattern to use.
It would seem that Flick, CJ, and Daisy-Mae aren't the only new generation animals staffing the islands! New arrival Wardell comes bouncing into the Happy Home Paradise expansion, and he looks very similar to Wendell! It is assumed that the manatee is, in fact, the offspring of the missed marine man!
7 Vines Are Climbable
Something easily missed in the massively busy Direct was to do with the new vine item. The decorative, naturally growing creepers can actually be climbed! This is fantastic news for those players with a natural island - especially with the new permanent ladder additions.
It's not clear yet whether this item is actually a customized ladder - however, it is assumed to be a naturally growing plant. Presumably, they will be found on tropical mystery islands available by hitching a ride with Kapp'n. These new vines complement the other plant life that will be added on November 5th, too.
6 Permanent Ladders Can Be Customized
Speaking of ladders, here's another tidbit that not many players noticed: it appears that the new item, permanent ladders, can be customized into many different styles! These new options can add more to each players' aesthetics.
During the Direct, there were at least three different physical styles of the permanent ladder shown, with different colors or wood types of each, too. One was metal rungs jutting out from the wall, whereas another was a flat wooden ladder. There was also an option that looks like the foldable ladder already in the game.
5 This Isn't The Last Update
A moment in the Direct set fans' teeth on edge: a screen saying that update 2.0 was the 'last major free content update'. Some were quick to mourn this, but in reality, this doesn't really change anything. Nintendo has already stated that Animal Crossing New Horizons will be supported for a long time, which they already have a plan for.
This (admittedly worrying) statement only really confirms that any updates in the future will not be absolutely huge like the 2.0, and will likely be similar to the Mario items update, or the addition of deep-sea diving. It also suggests that there will be more paid DLC, which if Happy Home Paradise is anything to go by, will be game-changers!
4 There Is A Blobfish Gyroid
Now, this one was a blink and you'll miss it feature. In amongst all the new, revamped, Gyroid designs, was one that looks like a recognizable face - a blobfish!
Specifically, the Gyroid looks like Blobby The Blobfish, the star of hand-drawn comics across the internet. There is probably no official correlation, though. It is also interesting to note that the blobfish Gyroid is wearing what appears to be a hula skirt - this may mean the movement of it will be a side-to-side or circular jig!
3 A Fourth Octopus Villager Is Coming
This is fantastic news for anyone with a sci-fi theme island. Or a factory theme. Or a sea theme! There is finally another octopus villager on the way, and this time it isn't locked to a Splatoon Amiibo card!
Similar to existing villager Octavian, who is definitely not an alien in disguise with a house full of space stuff, the new octopus is robotic and science-themed. Named Cephalobot (ba dum tss), he is an octopus-shaped robot, who will most likely have a matching home and catchphrase. Let's hope he doesn't get rusty...
2 Isabelle Owns Workout Clothes
Isabelle, everyone's favorite hard-working assistant, has been granted another set of clothes. On top of her already brimming wardrobe, she was seen to be wearing a sleek workout outfit in the update Direct.
Why is this interesting, fans ask? Well, it is likely that there will be a new Amiibo card featuring this energy-filled get up. Isabelle already has at least five different Amiibo designs, featuring different outfits like her winter cardigan, and even a kimono! The series 5 Amiibo cards definitely won't leave her out, and some assume this might be one of the options.
1 Froggy Chair Has Been Resurrected
It has finally happened. After fans' absolute outrage at the forgotten item in Animal Crossing New Horizons, Nintendo listened and have brought back the most iconic chair from the entire franchise. The Froggy Chair.
Assumed to cost 1,200 Bells (like all other entries), the bright green chair will be available after the 2.0 update goes live. The Nooklings better get prepared for the stampede they will face for this item! Fans were positively over the moon when this friendly face cropped up on the screen!