The Perfect Pandemic Game
Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched just as the world went into lockdown, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Millions of players escaped to their own virtual islands, creating communities, hosting virtual weddings, and finding solace in the gentle rhythm of island life.
But beyond the cultural phenomenon, is New Horizons actually a good game? The answer is a resounding yes – with some caveats that depend entirely on what kind of player you are.
Your Island, Your Rules
The biggest addition in New Horizons is the ability to completely reshape your island. With terraforming tools unlocked later in the game, you can move rivers, create waterfalls, add cliffs, and completely redesign the landscape. Combined with outdoor furniture placement, path creation, and fencing options, the creative possibilities are nearly endless.
I've spent hundreds of hours perfecting my island layout, and I'm still not done. The game scratches a creative itch that few other titles can match. Whether you want a cozy cottage core aesthetic, a bustling cityscape, or a tropical paradise, you have the tools to make it happen.
The Daily Routine
Core gameplay follows the series' familiar rhythm: fish, catch bugs, dig fossils, talk to villagers, and slowly pay off your home loan to the ever-patient Tom Nook. New Horizons adds crafting to the mix, requiring you to gather materials for tools and furniture. It's satisfying at first but can become tedious when your flimsy tools break for the hundredth time.
The villagers are as charming as ever, each with distinct personalities and memorable dialogue. Building relationships with your island residents is genuinely heartwarming, and the community's attachment to favorites like Raymond and Marshal is completely understandable.
Time Is the Currency
New Horizons runs on real-time, meaning seasons, events, and shop availability match your actual clock. This is both the game's greatest strength and its most divisive feature. For some, checking in daily for new surprises is perfect. For others, the slow drip of content is agonizingly frustrating.
Time traveling (changing your Switch's clock) is an option, but it does somewhat defeat the purpose of the game's design philosophy. If you can embrace the intended pace, the experience is incredibly rewarding.
A Living, Breathing World
The presentation is stunning. Seasons change beautifully, with autumn leaves falling, winter snow blanketing the island, and cherry blossoms marking spring's arrival. The attention to detail is remarkable – your character leaves footprints in the snow, fish cast shadows in the water, and the lighting shifts naturally throughout the day.
K.K. Slider's soundtrack deserves special mention. The hourly music changes are a series staple, but New Horizons' compositions are particularly magical. The 5 AM piano theme alone is worth experiencing.
