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From the adult single player perspective, this is the most involved version of Animal Crossing to date. Customization is virtually limitless and it introduces the option of terraforming the land itself. The ways you can build up your island stretch beyond the imagination. New Horizons introduces crafting, seasonal items and recipes, -based events that last longer than one day so they really feel like holidays, and advanced character customization right from the beginning. I'll break down the pros and cons at the end of my review.
I think there is some confusion, especially for people new to the series, regarding how multiplayer works.
Animal Crossing has always been a ONE town/island game, with the option for up to 3 more players to share that land, since the idea is that you'd be building your oasis together. Unfortunately the co-op in this version is lackluster, especially since the Switch is marketed as a more social console than others Nintendo has released in the past. The multiplayer in a single town is, plain and simple, not worth it. Like others have said, you can really only play follow the leader and collect things together. It kinda defeats the purpose of true multiplayer mode, which is much more comprehensive in the console-to-console visiting (as it has been in the past as well). The true fun in multiplayer for ACNH is in visiting other islands entirely, seeing how they have built and organized their land, and exchanging exclusive fruits and rare items with each other (not to mention hitting each other endlessly with nets). If you have multiple consoles in your house or have friends with their own Switch and copy of the game, you'll find LOTS of enjoyment in the multiplayer.
PROS:
- Character customization is great. Skin tone is finally a choice, alongside many hairstyles and colors which become unlockable over time. Many basics are included right from the beginning and can be changed whenever you'd like.
- Able Sisters is a true boutique. Every day they have a large stock of clothing, including many color variants. You can also layer multiple facial accessories.
- Deg is a joy. The designer feature seems to "read" what shapes and colors you use and will round out sharp edges. This means any -designed paths, stones, and clothing will blend in seamlessly with the soft graphics of the game. You can choose from different styles of clothing while you design, such as sweaters, robes, bowler hats, and beanies. Additionally, there is now an option for transparent patterns. No more having 4 different stepping stone designs for every season so the grass around your rocks will blend in with the natural grass. There is also a "face paint" option, which is very useful for equipping your character with eyebrows, freckles, etc.
- Nook Miles ticket islands are worthwhile to work for, and allow you access to more crafting resources that you may have exhausted out of your own island for the day. They also have a chance to spawn rare creatures, Bell rocks, foreign fruits, and hybrid flowers.
- The graphics have received a huge update. Everything in the game, including returning items, has a new model and looks better than ever. Wind rustles trees, flowers, and even items that have hanging bits, such as the clothing racks.
- Your storage system is automatically built into your home, and home design is streamlined into a drag and drop menu for easy decorating.
- Being able to put any item outdoors and build pathways has transformed the possibilities in this game. You can make so many things: trading booths, actual gardens, shop stands, playgrounds, cafes, spas, raffles, relay races, you name it. I've seen an incredible amount of creativity in the first week of release.
- You can choose where your new villagers will move, and move any building at any time, save for the plaza and Resident Services within it. There is a cost involved but it's well worth it if you hate where something is placed.
- So far I have not yet reached the cap on constructing inclines and bridges. You can make a bunch.
CONS:
- Terraforming takes a bit to unlock and can be finicky to navigate. You may think you're standing on the correct tile to place a path or build a cliff, but you'll be pushed to another tile, have to erase, and try again. Understanding where you are in space is just a little more difficult because the layout of your island looks a lot less geometric than it did in the past, but overall that is still a positive. Just makes terraforming a bit harder.
- In the 3DS New Leaf: Welcome Amiibo version, scanning an Amiibo card would allow you to replace any resident villager with the one on your card, and they would move in the next day. In this version, scanning a card will put the villager in your campsite, but you must invite them to move in THREE times before they will agree. It just seems like a bit of work, since any random villager you find on a Nook Miles Island will move in the very next day after you ask them.
- This is my big one: Blathers' museum, while changed drastically to be incredibly beautiful, no longer displays facts for donated creatures. Reading a sign will just give you the name of the creature and donor. To learn about a creature, you need to have it in your inventory and give it to Blathers under the request to learn more. This feels like a huge hit to the museum which is already lacking features. It seemed like they removed the one main reason to visit.
- No sign of my favorite NPCs, Katrina (fortune teller) and Brewster (cafe owner). Hopefully, though, there are plans to implement them at a later date, as the game receives regular updates.
Overall, this is a staple in any casual gamer's collection, a great intro for anyone new to the series, and something pleasant to pick up whenever and wherever, regardless of whether you have countless hours or just a few minutes. Give it a try!
