A few weeks ago our family got the opportunity to try the new released Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Nintendo Switch. The Switch is our first gaming system for our family so we are pretty inexperienced at games.
The arrival of the game could not have happened at a better time for us since we live in NYC and are currently on “pause” and staying at home as much as possible due to the coronavirus pandemic. My kids are in 6th and 9th grade and are doing remote learning in the morning and Animal Crossing helps motivate them to get the work done ASAP. We used to be screen free family on school days but at times like these rules change.
We are not familiar with other Animal Crossing games but we just dove into New Horizons. My son set himself up as a person with his own features. They showed us four different islands and we got to pick one. The game also asked what hemisphere we lived in so the seasons and months could be synced. He headed off to his island with 2 other animals to start an adventure.
At first I thought the game was a bit silly. My son picked a spot for a tent and then ran laps all over the island. The other characters in the game share information and give tips an it wasn’t long until he was collecting sticks, rocks and other items to build tools to collect bugs and fish and having a blast. Watching him fish and dig is so entertaining and we all need laughs now.
My daughter also set herself up as a character and she joined the island and set up a tent and ran around getting sticks. The kids can also play together but only one can be a leader so if they see a stick only the leader can pick it up and decide which way they go on the island which can cause bickering but they are quick to figure it out since they know what will happen if they don’t!
The kids have been logging in daily even if its just for few minutes just to see what is new on the island. Both kids started out with debt for moving to the island and they pay it off with miles which they have earned by doing achievements as the game progresses. Players also earn bells by selling things they find on the island. With the bells and miles they have now upgraded to houses and can purchase items to decorate their house and build up a snazzy collection of clothes and hair dos.
There are more neighbors on the island now and they also helped set up a museum and shop. They also have the opportunity to redeem miles and take a trip to other island to collect other items for the museum or to sell.
On April 1st the trees have cherry blossoms which is cheerful. Also it is Bunny Day until the 12th which means there are lots of eggs and less wood, iron, etc which the kids don’t love but they know it will change. The great thing about this game is that once they get their daily to do list done they are ready to move on. There is only so many times you can lap around an island and glad they want to turn it off by their own choice.
The game is very calming with waterfalls and beautiful flowers and it has been lovely to escape from the real world and just a great way to spend time as a family.
Stay safe & wash your hands!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
*Disclaimer: While I was given Animal Crossing: New Horizons to review for this post, all opinions are mine and my childrens.