By Luis Mila

An infinite bounty of bugs, fish, shells, oranges, pears, apples, peaches, coconuts, bells, and debt to pay – Animal Crossing is a series beloved by many.

It’s newest edition, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” features a deserted island getaway package where the player is recognized as the representative resident.

This means the player can make important decisions (like in other Animal Crossing games), such as which villagers move in, where establishments will be built, and the pace at which you play. Other aspects such as villager personalities, villager conversations, being nagged by Tom Nook, and the addiction to running in a loop around your map are also making a return from previous games.

Multiplayer has different modes – local play, where friends can join on a single Joy Con or you can visit a friend’s island, or online play, where you can visit friends from anywhere around the world.

“Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is criticized for how slow it is – much slower than previous games. Players start off with two villagers and can only access a portion of their island. For the first week, it’s a very tedious process of collecting rocks, fruits, materials to craft, and ranking up on “Nook Miles”— a new form of currency.

However, the release has allowed people to unleash their inner designer with a new tool that allows custom patterns for clothing, face paint, and room decor (such as decorating your room with real-life celebrity merchandise).

https://twitter.com/dreamiandcoin/status/1242283492643307520?s=21

my friend asked me to visit his island the and found these @matthewmercer @samriegel #AnimalCrossing #ACN pic.twitter.com/Qvq28YNLw7

— Oxana 🇯🇵 (@Anitlunia) March 22, 2020

Personally, New Horizons is my introduction to the Animal Crossing series, and so far, I’m addicted.

There’s a certain wholesomeness when hearing the fun sounds while running errands, crafting, chatting with a friendly villager that calls you “li’l bear,” or simply eating fresh fruit.

Then there’s the fact I’m seeing my island grow into fruition gradually: an ever-expanding museum, a shop popping up here, Sahara to sell me random rugs, Wisp to give me a random expensive item, Tom Nook telling me he’s depending on me yet again, and my own character to tell me cheesy jokes every time I catch a fish.

This game is more work than it is playing, but that’s what makes the experience completely worth it. Players can see their hard work pay off, with the island of their dreams, and gates open to all visitors who would like to relax with them.

https://twitter.com/pepsiotaku/status/1241177856253681664?s=21

https://twitter.com/shisuperfly/status/1241604474461798400?s=21

just chilling in cedar rapids #AnimalCrossing #ACN pic.twitter.com/EIuaxDxDkB

— Casey (@cop_graveyaard) March 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/nic_films/status/1242221850861731851?s=21