After eight years of waiting for another installment for the Animal Crossing franchise, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was released on March 20. Judging by what other players have thought about the game, it seems to have been worth the eight years. The game has won the hearts of many reviewers such as IGN (it got Editor’s Choice in that review, too), Nintendo Life, and Gamespot. So, is the game worth your bells? Or is the game just a chore?
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| Image courtesy of Nintendo |
Congratulations! You have purchased Tom Nook’s Deserted Island Package! You, and two other animal villagers, move into a deserted island. Unlike the previous entries in the Animal Crossing series where you are already in a town with shops and houses, you help make them. This is a deserted island after all. IGN writer Samuel Claiborn did find the game a little slow saying that “it takes too long to get to the good stuff. And by “good stuff” I mean the basics: The museum, shopping, and even access to parts of the island which require tools like the pole and ladder to reach.” I actually didn’t mind this and, in fact, I like the progression in this game where you will eventually explore more of the island as you live in it.
You are then in debt to Tom Nook for the tent you place down on the island and the phone he gives you, more on that later. The gameplay is similar to the previous games in which you have to collect bugs, fishes, and fossils to pay your debt to Tom Nook. Once you pay your debt, you can upgrade your tent to a house that brings you to another debt and the cycle continues. There are a few major additions to this game, however.
The first one is crafting. As you progress through the game, you will collect recipes that will require materials found inside trees, rocks, or even on the beach to craft. The tools you use will also be crafted but will break over time.
The second new entry to the series is the Nook phone. This gadget allows you to access certain apps such as calling other human villagers on the island, viewing the DIY recipes for crafting, and making designs for clothing.
The third addition to the game is the Nook Miles app. This acts like achievements and will award you with Nook Miles. You can exchange these for furniture, recipes, pocket expansions, or tickets to deserted islands. You can invite other animal villagers from these islands and get more materials if you use up everything on your island.
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| Image courtesy of Nintendo |
When interacting with these villagers, I at first was worried I wouldn't be able to do errands for them like in the previous entries. You actually have to talk with them and give them gifts every once in a while to grow a bond with them so they can trust you and ask you to help them. The villagers are very kind and loving. One example is from a critic (Kallie Plagge) from Gamespot who mentioned that "I wasn't sure if I liked Stu, for example, until I stumbled upon him singing an adorable song to himself in the middle of town. I watched him for a very long time, and Flurry even walked up and watched him with me. Now they're my two favorites.”
In New Leaf, you can do projects such as bridges, lighthouses, and other buildings. My issue with that is it was a bit of a hassle dealing with the projects along with your debt to Tom Nook. In New Horizons, you also have projects but they are mainly bridges and inclines. Stuff like lighthouses you can buy using Nook Miles or even crafting which I don’t mind as much.
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| Image courtesy of Nintendo |
Out of all of the Animal Crossing games, this one is the most gorgeous of them all. There is a little introduction video that shows the beauty of this game. The leaves in the trees blow with the wind, the cherry blossoms fall from the trees during the spring, and snowfalls during the winter. In fact, Nintendo Life reviewer, Alex Olney, says New Horizons is “one of the prettiest games on the Switch.”
There is an issue, however, that has angered many fans, including me. You can only have one island per game. If you want another island, you can’t just make another profile; you must buy another copy of the game -- which is $59.99 at present -- in order to get it. Sure, the previous entries had this issue but they were for handhelds. Even the Gamecube used memory cards to store the data (which are only $5 to $10 nowadays. I couldn't find how much they were back in the day).
The soundtrack is, like in every Animal Crossing game, pretty nice. The music changes depending on the weather and time. Before the Town Hall is built, the same song is looped. After it is built, the hourly music begins.
So to summarize, Animal Crossing was never one for its story but, like the previous entries, it has cute and quirky characters. I give the story a B+. The gameplay is as great as the previous entries and crafting is a great addition to the game. The fact that you need to buy another copy of the game to have another island is frustrating though. I give the gameplay an A. The soundtrack is very nice. It is ambient however so I give the soundtrack an A. The game gets bonus points for pretty art-style.
To conclude, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is a very fun game. It has great gameplay, charming characters, and a beautiful art-style. It may lack in story, but I recommend this game during our time in quarantine. I give this game an 8.8/10.
At a Glance:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Summary: Gather fish and bugs while interacting with animal villagers on a deserted island.
Rated: E for Everyone: Comic Mischief
Price: $59.99
Distributor: Nintendo
Console: Nintendo Switch
Rating: 8.8/10
