It’s been eight years since we’ve had a proper Animal Crossing game and Nintendo’s newest entry to the Switch library could not come at a better time. Spoiler, not only are you in for a relaxing digital break from the current real world Last of Us nightmare but its also a very good video game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo
Available For: Nintendo Switch (March 20, 2020)
Having gone soo long without an entry, Animal Crossing NH assumes you’ve never played an Animal Crossing game before. As again you’ll be a patsy to Tom Nook who wants you to not only build your new home on this island but gather materials for museums, shops, and more. Fortunately, New Horizons gives you more control over just about everything. As you start out by living in a simple tent, you don’t just get to decide where that will go but also where your neighbors will.
Customizability extends to every part of the game. As you begin to take up more home space you’ll unlock the ability to go beyond color for your walls. Nothing beats the serenity of having a living lightning storm wallpaper adorn your humble abode. As mentioned, you’ll shape every part of this game. With the island designer tool, you’ll shape your own island. My new island arena is available if WWE needs a place to move WrestleMania to.
Expanded selections for your character’s skin tones and hair still have some limitations. AC takes full advantage of the Nintendo share features as players will be able to design their own custom patterns for clothing and other things.
In order to expand crafting recipes and collections of nick nacks, you’ll need to earn “bells”. One of two in-game currencies, bells can be found all over the island or earned from villagers. The other currency traps you in Tom Nook’s economic system. “Nook Miles” can be earned by completing tasks assigned to you on your Nook-Phone, in the Nook-app. Personally, I would have gone with “Nook Coin” but Nintendo knows what it’s doing. Doing anything in this game nets you those sweet Nook Miles. Fishing, catching bugs, visiting certain spots, even just earning Nook Miles gets you Nook Miles. The biggest function of this currency is being able to trade it for tickets to other islands to get natural resources.
Animal Crossing is a game which asks for patience but it never feels as though it’s testing yours. Even as your character makes purchases you’re asked to wait a day for it to arrive. As you progress you can unlock your own Amazon prime type delivers for faster response. At first, you’ll want to show how much patience you have as the more you spend and the time you wait will net you extra goodies with those deliveries.
The game isn’t just an experience in isolation. New Horizons features multiplayer options for both local and online. You’ll be able to visit friend’s islands and help their progression while earning some of your own rewards. These are excellent working features in the game but they do feel a bit bare bones. Hopefully, future updates will bring game modes you can play with friends like AC soccer, ping pong, maybe even island shuffleboard.
Animal Crossing; New Horizons is the right place at the right time. We need more experiences based on serenity and allow us to connect with our friends without having to touch them. With the Nintendo Switch’s hybrid functionality, this game is the perfect thing to turn off the news to or just sit in bed and relax with. There’s going to be tons of creativity being shared via Animal Crossing in the next couple of months so instead of having mortal kombat over toilet paper, let’s all just let our new island waves wash over us.
