Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the fifth installment of the successful Nintendo simulator series, allowing the player to take on the role of an inhabitant of a friendly town populated by anthropomorphic animals. The latest part of the series is available only on the Nintendo Switch console.

Plot

This time we find ourselves on an uninhabited island where Tom Nook sent us. His development company Nook Inc. has plans to redevelop it, and our task is to do it on its behalf. We land on the place with only a minimum of supplies and like a castaway, we will have to produce all the tools and items needed to raise the settlement.

Mechanics

In contrast to the previous installments, where the player went to a ready-made and inhabited settlement, here the focus is put on building it from scratch. This is facilitated by the mechanics of acquiring recipes, i.e. classic crafting patterns, which we can buy, get or unlock. Some items require elements previously created from simpler components, so we are dealing with chains of production. Items can also be sold and bought, which allows us to skip the manufacturing process - it is worth remembering, however, that except for the most necessary tools and resources, the selection of goods in the store changes daily. Most items can be placed both indoors and outdoors. You can also freely move them and put them on top of each other. This gives endless possibilities to decorate the environment. There are also options for planting and growing plants, fishing, catching butterflies and other creatures and digging up fossils. You can exhibit the collected objects in your home or donate them to a local museum.

The tradition of the series is linking the time in the game world with the real time. This means that the environment changes adequately to the time of day and year in the real world. Some creatures we will encounter only after dusk, and for example, mushrooms will grow only in autumn. Every little action is recorded in the Nook Miles system, which after crossing certain thresholds will give us rewards. The game also featured a photo mode with filters and character poses.

ACNH 2.0

Along with the paid DLC the basic version of the game received Update 2.0. Among the most important novelties introduced by the developers the most important are previously unavailable locations (such as Brewster's The Roost Cafe in the Museum or open-air stores on Harv's Island), attractions (such as boat trips to mysterious islands organized by Kapp'na) and functions (led by the possibility of cultivating the land and cooking various dishes). The gyroids are also back. In addition, there are plenty of new cosmetic items and customization options.

Game modes

Game offers local 4-player co-op and network co-op up to 8 people. Co-players not only visit our world, but for the first time in the series they can interact with it, helping with its construction.

Technical aspects

Graphics style is a continuation of the concept known from previous installments. It is characterized by a charming, eye-pleasing aesthetics. Great attention was paid to the audio layer. All the sounds were recorded with the help of matching objects, and some of them even in the natural environment. The idea was to make them sound natural and relaxing.