Doubutsu no Mori

In D ōbutsu no Mori, the player arrives at a new town, which they name, and
play as a singular character whose name they also choose. The game has no set
goal; instead, it is more of a The Sims type of game, in which the player can
do what they want, when they want, without rules, goals or time limit.

When the player first arrives, they will be given a house to live in.
Unfortunately, they have no money, so they must pay off their home loan by
earning “bells”, the game’s form of currency. Bells can be earned by
performing various tasks for the other citizens of the town, catching and
selling fish and insects, selling items, finding money in trees, and more. In
addition to paying off the loan, money can be used to buy furniture and
clothing. The player’s home can see further expansions once the loan is paid.

One of the other main features of the game is the multitude of literally
colorful characters that populate the town, all of whom are anthropomorphic
animals; the player is the only human in sight. The town starts with a
randomized selection of animal villagers, and more can move in and out as the
game progresses. The player is able to talk to and befriend their animal
neighbors.

The game uses an internal clock in the game pak to keep track of the date and
time. Season changes and special holidays will occur in the town as time
passes.

Doubutsu no Mori