| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a cozy life-sim where you decorate and design a deserted island in need of some TLC. Read on to learn how it plays, what it’s about, and everything else we know so far.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons Gameplay
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life-simulation game where players take on the role of steward for a deserted island, gradually transforming it into a vibrant, thriving community. This is achieved by gathering resources, crafting furniture and tools, collecting various creatures and items, and carefully designing both personal and public spaces. The ultimate goal is to improve the island’s overall quality as a destination while enjoying the creative freedom to shape it as you wish.
The game offers players a great deal of control over how their island evolves. Whether focusing on decoration, organization, or preserving its natural beauty, players can take their time to craft a space that reflects their personal style. A core loop of collection, customization, and maintenance ensures there’s always something to do, with daily activities offering a steady sense of progression.
As players explore, they’ll find fossils, fish, and critters to collect and donate to the island’s museum. Materials can also be harvested from trees, rocks, and plants to craft tools and decorations. These items can then be used to adorn both private homes and shared public areas, ranging from simple pathways and walls to interactive furniture pieces. Each element added to the island contributes to its charm, and players can spend hours perfecting its design.
Investing in the island’s establishments also plays a significant role in its progression. Stores like Nook’s Cranny and Able Sisters start small but can be upgraded with player contributions, expanding their inventories and enhancing their appearances. Similarly, the museum grows with every donation, becoming a showcase of the island’s rich natural and cultural history. Players’ homes themselves evolve from modest tents into spacious multi-room houses with repeated investments
Social aspects are another key element, as players can invite new villagers to live on the island by exploring other locations or participating in events. Said villagers provide daily requests, which reward players with clothing, furniture, and social standing within that village when completed.
Seasonal updates are also available throughout each year, introducing limited-time activities, decorations, and items.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Story
The story of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is largely open-ended, giving players the freedom to shape their island's development and progression. While there’s no rigid narrative, the game begins with a simple premise that sets the stage for the player’s adventure.
After purchasing the Deserted Island Getaway Package from Tom Nook Inc., players arrive on an untouched island in need of care and creativity. Once there, they quickly find themselves in debt to Tom Nook, the entrepreneurial raccoon, and must work to repay him by transforming the island into a vibrant and thriving community. From this point onward, players are free to decide how they want to achieve their goals, whether through resource gathering, crafting, decorating, or improving the island’s infrastructure.
The overarching objective is to elevate the island to a 5-star rating, turning it into a premier tourist destination. Achieving this milestone culminates in a special event: a live concert by K.K. Slider, the beloved musician of the Animal Crossing universe. This performance acts as the official conclusion to the game’s main storyline, but it’s far from the end of the player’s journey. After the concert, players can continue customizing and expanding their island,
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