Popular Mechanics (South Africa)
Games and toys: Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch; PM Board Game Awards.
ANIMAL Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) is a friendly vacation simulation for the Nintendo Switch. Your getaway begins with the trip of a lifetime to a remote island. With only shells on the beach and fruit on the trees, Tom Nook (that rich business racoon) will set you up with a tent, and what you do next is entirely up to you. From helping the game’s quirky animal companions move in, to learning how to craft essentials and more at Nook’s workbench, there are so many details to uncover. And because ACNH runs in real time, certain things happen when they happen and you can’t always hurry them up. So when you play at night, the stars are out, the shops are closed (if you have a shop), and some characters are awake while others aren’t.
The game is cleverly set to the hemisphere in which you live, so if you’re playing in winter expect the environment to mimic that. But that means much more than just snow or sunshine in Animal Crossing … the bugs and fish are seasonal too.
As you progress, you’ll earn bells – the game’s currency – and Nook Miles, which you can use to visit (and by visit we mean pillage) other islands. Bells are important because if you want to upgrade your home, you’ll owe Tom Nook a wad, and will have to pay it off. Miles can be used to buy exclusive Nook Inc items such as themed slippers, wallpaper and so on.
ACNH boasts multiplayer options: friends – up to eight! – can come visit your island, and you can visit theirs. You can also send letters and even attach gifts. What you’ll soon notice is that every island is a little different. You may be able to grow oranges and lilies but other islands will have pears and tulips, and being able to exchange items and help each other is what makes ACNH that much better.
Everything is categorised using your personal NookPhone smartphone: you’ll be able to see the miles you’ve earned, DIY recipes, all the things you’ve caught, the friends you’ve chatted to and even call rescue services if needed.
Ultimately, ACNH is what you make of it. If you’re the type of gamer who can spend hours customising an item of clothing, you’ll love it. You can share your designs with others around the world and display them proudly in your island home. If your goal is to catch every type of fish in the game, you’d better start gathering materials to make a rod. Want to bring Blathers, the museum owl, everything he needs to fill his empty halls? Go for it. If you want to hang out with other ACNH fanatics, all you need is a Switch Online membership.
ACNH is filled with charming details fans have come to expect from the Nintendo franchise. It may be tried-and-tested gameplay (Animal Crossing first appeared on the Nintendo GameCube back in 2001), but it’s polished for Switch with the promise of DLC and contains endless surprises that you won’t see coming.
Most importantly, it’s a sweet and relaxing break from real life – something we all need from time to time.