[Review] Animal Crossing: New Horizons

[Mark-x]

 Animal Crossing: New Horizons is arguably the most-anticipated Nintendo Switch title yet. Every single slither of news and information is scrutinised by fans as they obsessively search for new details on the adorable social experience. It’s become a phenomenon, and with several years having passed since New Leaf on 3DS, the wait has been long and hard. 

Now we’ve waited years, we finally have a concrete release date and oodles of gameplay details to sift through for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It looks fantastic and we can’t wait to play it, so Trusted Reviews has compiled all the latest news, release date, gameplay trailers and more for the deserted island adventure. 
This is the next entry in Nintendo’s hugely po[CENSORED]r social simulation series, building upon what came before it in New Leaf and Happy Home Designer. If anything, it feels like an innovative combination of the two. 

Fingers we’ll see a limited edition console and other goodies accompany the release, as we’d love a Lite to receive such a fabulous makeover. Just take my money already, Nintendo. New Horizons begins with the player washing onto the shore of a deserted island. This new world you arrive in is strange, welcoming and adorable. However, you’ll need to put some serious work in to make the most of it. Judging from footage, the early stages will involve cutting down wood and gathering enough resources to build your own tent to rest on the beach. From here, you’ll befriend residents, embark on adventures and do so much more. 

This will act as a tutorial to New Horizon’s robust crafting system. Unlike past iterations where you’d purchase furniture from The Able Sisters or find them conveniently hidden up trees, many things in this instalment can be crafted from scratch with the right components. Furniture can now be placed inside and outside with far more specific positioning, so you won’t struggle when designing. We’ve only seen a small glimpse of this system, but it seems to have limitless potential when it comes to crafting a space that feels personal to the player, whether you’re into gothic furnishings or pink, frilly adorable things, your home and aesthetic can be defined in a way it simply couldn’t before. Self-expression is a huge part of Animal Crossing, and New Horizons ups the ante and then some. 

Speaking of self-expression, New Horizons no longer limits clothing, hair and facial options by gender. You’re free to design a character which represents anything on the gender spectrum, which will no doubt delight some players. Skin options have also been updated to include darker and lighter tones that better fit certain ethnicities. Nintendo’s dedication to exclusivity here is genuinely heartwarming. 

Nook Miles, a new form of currency can be earned by completing certain tasks. Once acquired, you can purchase premium items that sadly can’t be crafted with traditional means. This should also provide a more substantial means of progression to New Horizons beyond attending to your usual duties and conversing with villagers. It’s a layer of complexity the series has needed, as much as we’ve always adored it. You’ve also got a Nookphone, an in-game version of a smart device earned by the player as part of Tom Nook’s Deserted Island Getaway Package. Even away from civilization the chubby capitalist is still trying to thrift players for all their worth. Shame on him! Anyway… the Nookphone can be used to take pictures with a new photo mode, access recipes and even converse with residents. 

Speaking of residents, you can invite certain animals to live on your island and select where their home is constructed, crafting a world that fits your needs and favourite cutesy inhabitants. I just hope they don’t up and leave suddenly like in previous games. I’m still heartbroken over Antonio the Anteater bailing on me back in New Leaf. We imagine a bunch of new and familiar faces will be featured in New Horizons.

Multiplayer in New Horizons has been expanded, and you can invite up to eight players to hang out on your island simultaneously, whether their friends or random players from all over the world eager to hang out, exchange fruit and take selfies together.