If you haven’t heard of the iconic Animal Crossing games before and you haven’t heard of the release of New Horizons, you may be living under a rock… or simply social distancing (which is completely understandable). Since the initial release of Animal Crossing in 2001 by Nintendo, the series has become a place for players to escape to, particularly during this stressful time.
Many have become immersed in the world of Animal Crossing since the release of the new game, with records being broken in Japan for purchases of physical copies. This is in part due to the recent pandemic. Unfortunately, I have not been able to purchase a copy (or a Nintendo Switch), but Alyson Crose, a first-year student from Millersville University, told me everything I am missing out on.
“You have to get this game!” Crose exclaimed to me, an avid gamer with a major in English and a minor in Film Studies. Prior to the release of New Horizons, Crose had only played Animal Crossing’s free Pocket Camp app, and she was pleasantly surprised to find that she has come to fall in love with the new game.
Compared to the app, as well as Animal Crossing’s older games, such as Wild World, New Leaf, and City Folk, the arrival of New Horizons is breathtakingly beautiful. Of course, the older games are just as enjoyable to play both for their scenic elements and aesthetic styles, but New Horizons’ graphics have exceeded expectations. Just by glimpsing at YouTube walkthroughs of the game, my eyes widened at the sight of the ocean surrounding the island. The waves smoothly rolled upon the shores in an almost hypnotic manner.
“It’s so pretty,” Crose awed, explaining that she loves to watch the sunrises and sunsets within the game. “The fish and the animals are really detailed.” The furniture and clothing pieces have also developed new details, pleasing to the eye. Players can now catch snowflakes in the winter and flower petals in the spring that drift in the breeze, bringing a sense of tranquility.
Most of the Animal Crossing games have similar styles and layouts. Each game contains areas to be designed, villagers to be met, and bells (the game’s currency) to be collected. However, Crose explained that there is always something to do within the game and that new changes have been made, other than the fact that New Horizons has improved in quality and takes place on an island. Avid Animal Crossing players will not be bored.
Crose completes “chores” as she plays on a regular basis, and she frequently enjoys redesigning her island within the game. There is also new wildlife that appears during different times of day and during the changing weather conditions. In addition, seasonal events take place over the course of the game. Players are also assigned specific tasks to complete.
There are a few things Crose dislikes about New Horizons. She explained that there are only so many buildings to be built for the island such as Blather’s museum and Timmy and Tommy’s store. “I wish we could build a restaurant,” she said. Crose also explained that you can only have ten villagers on the island at a time, and if a player dislikes one of the villagers, it is difficult to exchange one villager for another. Lastly, she wishes the island was bigger in order to hold more furniture and decorations.
With a recently broken wrist, the game has been particularly helpful to Crose who could do little with her hand after surgery. She explained that the game was almost like a form of therapy for her and keeps her occupied during the recent pandemic. She recommends the game to everyone and is glad she made the purchase.
Animal Crossing has continued to thrive over the years, capturing people’s attention with its relaxing music, gorgeous settings, and adorable characters. Many are currently becoming immersed in the world of New Horizons during this stressful time to find a sense of peace. While fishing upon lazy shores, catching butterflies in rolling fields of grass, and picking apples within blossoming trees, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is truly a beautiful, well-developed game.