Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a gentle island getaway like no other.

A New Place to Build a New Life

Video games are often built with some type of competition in mind; whether you are playing against the computer or another player, there's usually some element of drama in the play. Animal Crossing, though, has always been a little bit different.

It's a game about building things up, not tearing them down. You're not competing with anyone - just making the best home or village that you can.

While Animal Crossings: New Horizons might have a new coat of paint, it's very much a game in that same vein.

Journey to an Island Paradise

New Horizons is a little different than its predecessors. Instead of placing players in an existing village, they start the game on a deserted island.

It's a friendly place, of course, but it's also one that's meant to be shaped in the player's image. You're not so much a part of an existing ecosystem in this game as you are the one who decides what it will be.

While the game might look different, it's very much the same as the past entries at heart.

Despite the new setting, the game is still basically the same as it has been in the past. You'll interact with villagers, manages some primary relationships, and undertake tasks to build the island in the way you'd like.

There are a few new mechanics on their way, but this is still a core Animal Crossing title in every way that matters.

Some Structural Improvements

New Horizons is a bit of a standout on the graphical front because it's the first Animal Crossing title in true HD.

The cartoony style of the game is still in place here, but everything looks cleaner and more fluid. The backgrounds have been freshened up, and everything looks nice, but the art style of previous games doesn't gain all that much from going HD.

Fortunately, Animal Crossing's sound design hasn't missed a step in the move to the new console generation.

The typical music from Animal Crossing makes a return, with some fun new tracks and some great new sounds.

love or hate the various sound cues

The music does suit the new location, and most players are going to come to either love or hate the various sound cues. Regardless of where they fall, they will definitely remember the sound design long after finishing the game.

Building Your Own Paradise

The gameplay of New Horizons has definitely taken the whole Animal Crossing concept and put it through a bit of a refining process.

The new ability to create DIY items out of items you find is a great enhancement to the game, as is the method through which you place items.

It's never been easier to make the house (or village) of your dreams than it is in this game.

In addition to the new additions, you'll still get a chance to deal with some old favorites. There are still plenty of characters to interact with and chores to do, all of which lead to new items and new decoration options.

This game jettisoned what didn't work and kept that which did.

New Horizons for Animal Crossing

If you liked previous Animal Crossing games, you will love New Horizons. There's nothing here that will bring in players who didn't like previous entries, though.

The game hasn't so much reinvented itself as it's made some gentle adjustments - all of which speak more to the core audience than anyone new.

TL/DR

Animal Crossings: New Horizons is a return to the core formula of Animal Crossing.