Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review: The Ideal Island Trip
Animal crossing: new horizons
"Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the escape we need right now."
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Visually fascinating
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Many adjustments
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Tons of gameplay
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Great social functions
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The real time clock gives a reason to come back
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The gameplay can repeat itself
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A lack of challenge will not appeal to everyone
Animal crossing: new horizons could be the perfect game for that moment in history.
The slightly combative, always cute life simulator is back with its first game in almost eight years and, while sticking to what is likeable about the series, it also has the kind of upgrades for which Tom Nook would require a significant sum of bells.
Not everyone sees the appeal of a game that involves repaying a mortgage and running errands. Sometimes Animal Crossing: New Horizons extends the definition of what a game is. Still, it has managed to conquer the hearts of millions when massive fan hype since Nintendo announced its release in 2019. Fans have also grabbed a model of the New Horizons switch that is sold out worldwide.
This is the island vacation we all need right now.
Not the same old zodiac
New Horizons is clearly part of the franchise, but does not repeat the formula of past games. It's part Animal Crossing, part Cities: Skylines, and part The Sims. For the first time, players can customize all the details of an island, including the location of bridges and ramps. Thanks to Amiibo compatibility, you can easily bring villagers' favorites to your new island. If you prefer people to people, it is also easy to play online with friends by visiting each other's islands.
Despite its wide range of uses, the game also pays attention to details, with lots of little tidbits that are fun to notice. The villagers can sit and read on the grass, walk around with a sandwich, or work hard at work in their own four walls. Building interiors now have more aesthetic details, making the environment feel more realistic than in the past.
An island that I can call myself
Often in games, players just have to accept what they don't like. Unpleasant parts of a card or annoying NPCs are only part of the experience. Not in New Horizons.
Yes, there are initial storage access restrictions. This is frustrating when planning where to put your home, other villagers, and important buildings like the museum. However, this can be changed later, and you don't have to wait long before making any significant changes.
New Horizons Adds terrain editing as opposed to previous Animal Crossing games. The last entry New pageAppoint the players responsible for the city as mayors. This meant they could make small, pre-set changes to the gameplay and decorate the area with “public building projects,” but none of that came close to the scope of New Horizons.
Every new Animal Crossing game contains new clothing, accessories and furniture, but also some New Horizons turns the knob to 11. Clothing and furniture now have whole pallets, some of which can be bought or crafted to customize the look of everything you own. With ladder shelves and macrame wall hangings, the items also look more modern.
The interior is significantly revised. Side game from Animal Crossing, Happy home designer, was not a hit, but showed new ways to style houses. New Horizons builds on this and allows players to lay floors in multiple directions, move multiple items at once, and bring up a design user interface instead of physically walking a villager around the room by perfectly pushing and pulling objects. You can even place furniture and fences outside, near houses, and on the beach.
It's part Animal Crossing, part Cities: Skylines, and part The Sims.
The game's go-to shop, The Able Sisters, contains more items than ever. The store offers seasonal items and a daily rotation, but the locker room offers even more options and allows players to mix and match parts. Here you will find maxi skirts and tunics inspired by boho.
It's a lot, but that's the point. The original Animal Crossing hit from 2001 and New Leaf is now eight years old. Life simulation games have increased over the years. The Sims 4 have worked intensively on expansion packages that offer options for almost every situation. Stardew Valley has mistaken things for farming gameplay, and niche games like My Time in Portia offer big worlds. Animal Crossing needed to be expanded, and that's exactly what New Horizons did.
Next generation graphics
New Horizons is visually breathtaking. The textures of fossils, carpets, animal skins and the bark on trees make the virtual island appear more haunting than any animal crossing game. Fish and insects in the Critterpedia, which catalogs all caught fish and insects, are presented with exquisite details. New Horizons captures the setting in a completely new light.
In addition to better character models and textures, the animations get more attention to detail than ever before. An island breeze often sways from the leaves on trees. Ribbons and ponytails on the villagers' hair bounce with movement.
When viewing objects in a museum, talking to other villagers, or taking photos, the camera focuses on a specific area, giving a flattering bokeh effect. It's a nice touch that makes the game look modern.
Take it easy. Too simple?
Island life means leaning back and relaxing, but it can be a little too relaxing. I have unearthed more fossils than in previous games, and changes and styles of appearance were easy to unlock. After a few upgrades, the bags have 40 slots. Collecting material is essential New Horizons, But it's still a major upgrade.
The Miles system means that there are two ways to make money. A rotation of items from clothing, furniture and recipes can be bought with miles. The miles themselves are also easy to obtain. Everything it takes to play the game. Catching fish, talking to villagers, looking for insects, everything counts. Life simulation games aren't known for challenges, but New Horizons offers absolutely no friction.
On the other hand, Animal Crossing has never been a challenge in the past. Relaxing, trouble-free gameplay is the focus of the series. Just make sure you know the time has come. This is not a game you are winning. There are no credits, no final battle. It's just life, day after day, in a fun world full of talking animals.
Our opinion
New Horizons is full of joy. It's fun, with less cross-generational appeal. The lonely island theme had given some fears that the latest entry would diverge from the traditional model, but these fears should be quickly addressed. However, it enables new experiences and prevents the series from feeling stale almost 20 years after its debut.
Is there a better alternative?
There is no better alternative New Horizons, or any animal crossing game as there are no alternatives. Stardew Valley or The Sims are getting closer, but Animal Crossing is not. Stardew Valley focuses more on agriculture, and the Sims' emphasis on realism means that the kitschy, cute anthropomorphic neighbors are a no-go. Animal Crossing is a separate genre.
How long it will take?
How long should it take? New horizons & # 39; Real-time progress means that this company is tedious, at least if you are not ready to cheat. Over the days, your island will develop slowly. There is no instant gratification, as you will have to wait at least a day in the game to take advantage of a new building.
Even if you are bored with your current run, there is a lot of value for replayability. Many fans have created themed cities in previous entries or found new priorities when restarting.
New Horizons, As with its predecessors, you can choose your own endgame. This can mean building your perfect house, living as a city planner, carefully designing your island, or making a dream come true by collecting all of the catalog items or filling out the museum.
Should you buy it
Yes. While Animal Crossing games undoubtedly argue about how “fun” they are, you should definitely pick up on this game if you're on the fence at all. The unique style of play, updated and expanded features, and the ability to appeal to fans of various elements have a reason why the franchise is so popular.
Especially when countries with the corona virus, officially called COVID-19, cope with social distancing and staying at home, this is the kind of game that is perfect for those who want to leave without leaving home.
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