“Bellbottom salsa this is stovetop tambourine, do you require assistance? Over.” –Wilbur, Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Since I began playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons earlier this month, I’ve grown to love it. I was slightly hesitant to play it at first, since I had never played an Animal Crossing game before and had mainly stuck to playing other popular Nintendo titles, but I figured I’d give it a try after hearing some great things about it. I must say, I’m very glad that I gave it a chance.
Not only have I found this game to be enjoyable, but I have also found it to be an effective stress reliever and a fun way to pass the time during the global pandemic we are all currently experiencing.
There are many reasons as to why I believe New Horizons is a great game to play in general, but I have come up with five reasons as to why I believe it is an ideal choice to play during these trying times especially:
1) It’s relaxing
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is, by far, one of the most relaxing games I’ve ever played. It’s relatively slow paced, as it runs in real time. I have found that you need to be patient to play this game because of this. However, I feel like waiting for events to occur, rather than having everything happen at once, is worth it. If you’ve been experiencing any sort of stress or anxiety lately, this game may help relieve some of that. I know it did for me.
I would also like to note that both the bright graphics and adorable characters add to the overall aesthetic of the game and are very appealing. I also find the character dialogue quite cute and amusing (such as the quote by Wilbur the dodo bird included above)! The villagers sing songs sometimes too, which I adore.
2) There are new things to do everyday
Because the game runs in real time, each day brings something new to do in New Horizons. You may have a new villager visiting your island one day and find a surprise in the mail from a friend the next. Whatever it may be, there’s always something new to do, see, and discover. This gives you something exciting to look forward to each day!
3) It’s a constant hustle, but a fun one
One of the main goals in this game is to pay off your debt. At the same time, however, I’m rearranging the buildings on my island, which is quite expensive. As a result, I’m constantly collecting bugs, gathering fruits, and catching fish so that I can sell them for a profit. It’s expensive to decorate and customize your island, but it’s still an enjoyable process. If you’ve been bored lately, this game can definitely help with that!
4) You can play with friends
One of my favorite features of this game is that you can play with others through local play or online play. When playing with friends, you can visit their islands, meet their villagers, and both buy and sell items at their shops (which may sell different items than yours). This is a great way to connect with one another, even from far away.
5) There’s something for everyone
If you enjoy collecting things, New Horizons offers a variety of bugs, fish and fossils to collect and add to your museum in the game. Once you collect these items, Blathers (the owl in the museum) offers to teach you fun facts about the item you have brought in. If you enjoy decorating, there are many different ways to customize and decorate both your home and the island itself. Furniture in a variety of styles are available in the game, as well as cute, detailed decorations. One of my favorite elements of this game is the character customization. The game offers players many different types of clothing to choose from in a range of styles, colors, and designs. I love mixing and matching different fashions and discovering new pieces at the Able Sisters’ tailor shop; there are new items to choose from every day! I believe this game can bring some fun and excitement to a variety of individuals, no matter what they may be interested in.
I can happily say that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of my favorite Nintendo games now. I am so glad that I gave this amusing and adorable game a chance. I believe it was released at an ideal time too, as the game serves as a fun way to relax and pass the time during this stressful period. This is a game I highly recommend. So, I encourage you, get out there and create the island of your dreams!
Photo Credits: @animalcrossing via Twitter
