Animal Crossing gamers are just noticing subtle feature after five years of playing

There are very few games quite like Animal Crossing, as the slow-paced experience forces you to appreciate the little things every single day, yet it's still taken over five years for some fans to spot a subtle detail in the Autumn months.

While Animal Crossing has always been one of Nintendo's most popular and beloved series, everything was taken to another level when New Horizons was released at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was quite literally no better game to play while everyone was stuck inside than one that simulates an idyllic island life tied to real time, and it's why millions of people bought a Switch and picked up Animal Crossing to play with their friends.

People had meet ups, graduation ceremonies, and even weddings inside the world of Animal Crossing when the real-life equivalent simply wasn't possible, and countless individuals have poured hundreds if not thousands of hours into the latest title over its five-year lifespan.

However, despite this wealth of experience and knowledge of the game's understandably limited world, there are still small details that gamers are only just noticing this year, and one particular feature left Reddit users stunned and amazed.

Posted on the r/AnimalCrossing subreddit, one used remarked that it took them five years to notice that the river running through your island gets fog, and while this is an entirely inconsequential feature, it's a detail that you can't help appreciate.

Animal Crossing is all about the atmosphere after all, and having those pockets of mist float above the water during the autumn months can help bed you into the cosy feeling as the year comes to a close.

One commenter explains that "in autumn mornings you sometimes get water fog, or normal fog," adding that "it is so pretty," and it's hard to disagree. Others have noted that the reason why they've haven't noticed it before is because they never play in the mornings, and it's fascinating to see how each person's routines can change their experience.

"The little touches in this game are lovely," adds a third commenter. "If you place a fan, plants and hanging clothes move with the wind." Someone else pointed out that visiting another island via plane causes a cloudy trail to appear in the sky, and it's all of these little things that help the world feel more lived in.

You might have drifted away from your Animal Crossing island over the years after completing your goals, but this could be the perfect thing to inspire you back, as you never know what new details you might notice after all this time.