First context. Up until about a month ago, I hated Animal Crossing. My brother tried to show me one of the previous games years ago, but his way of selling it to me was "look, I got a new bookcase, and this person gives me fruits, and I can dig up fossils... and this is the rest of the furniture I have". When I asked what you did with the stuff, he didn't have an answer, it was just collecting stuff for the sake of it. He made it sound super dull, pointless and lacking in actual gameplay, might as well be a mobile game. I followed the development of New Horizons a little, not understanding the hype. Then the I watched the direct, and with a little help from my very excited friends, I very suddenly, and very strongly, fell in love with Animal Crossing (New Horizons at least). So I'm not a series fan, and I this isn't my usual kind of game, but I have been obsessing over every detail since the direct, and have poured over plans for my island.
I didn't play at launch since I wanted it to be day in game. I started early, grabbed snacks, got comfy and anxiously waited to see if I was actually going to enjoy this game. First I had to deal with the stress of deciding whether to reset or not. Island layout was pretty close to perfect, got the orange airport I wanted, was happy with cherries as native fruit. Starting villagers were Agnes and Teddy. For a moment I considered resetting for different villagers, but decided not to. Excitement was high during the tutorial.
Within about 20-30 minutes of play, I was bored.
The starting area is pretty small, and very quickly you've done a few laps for resources to craft and sell. There's minimal to really buy and not much immediate incentive to save up. It dawned on me that this was really going to be a game that I only played for a short time each day, which kinds took the wind out of my sails despite me suspecting as much.
About 12hrs later and I was still playing, and having an absolute blast.
The key factor, for me, was the Nook Mileage Program. I'm not an achievement hunter, I don't see much point in them, but the tangible rewards of Nook Miles makes it significantly more appealing. With that simple incentive, a stuck with the game, and basically grinded for bells and miles. However, it was during that "grind" (it didn't feel like one), that I encountered the stuff that filled this experience with life and memories.
I must have shot down a dozen balloon presents, getting all sorts of stuff, even a fricking kimono (on my first day!) Accidentally shot a present into the water, no problem, have some more Nook Miles. After interacting with Agnes and Teddy, I absolutely love them. Agnes complimented me specifically on my kimono before bashfully self deprecating herself. Teddy seems like the average jock, but he's so cute, and his size and being a bear really fits his macho attitude. I struggled with fishing, at first, but once I got the hang of it I was raking in money, and then I was finding discarded boots that I could recycle to make wearable boots. I played with the designer and made paintings and shirts. I spent my Nook Miles to get a house (tomorrow), item wheel, pro designer, and some accessories, with each achievement I was closer to unlocking more of the game. The grind never felt like grind because the atmosphere was so relaxing and therapeutic, enhanced by adorable characters that felt unique to my island.
I feel so lucky with how things have turned out for me. Considering this is only one day, with the bare minimum to keep me entertained, I cannot wait to keep playing, exploring, discovering and experiencing everything this game has to offer.
I hope you're all enjoying it too, and if your new or trying to convince the uninitiated, don't worry, it sometimes takes the long way round, but we all end up in debt to Tom Nook eventually.
I didn't play at launch since I wanted it to be day in game. I started early, grabbed snacks, got comfy and anxiously waited to see if I was actually going to enjoy this game. First I had to deal with the stress of deciding whether to reset or not. Island layout was pretty close to perfect, got the orange airport I wanted, was happy with cherries as native fruit. Starting villagers were Agnes and Teddy. For a moment I considered resetting for different villagers, but decided not to. Excitement was high during the tutorial.
Within about 20-30 minutes of play, I was bored.
The starting area is pretty small, and very quickly you've done a few laps for resources to craft and sell. There's minimal to really buy and not much immediate incentive to save up. It dawned on me that this was really going to be a game that I only played for a short time each day, which kinds took the wind out of my sails despite me suspecting as much.
About 12hrs later and I was still playing, and having an absolute blast.
The key factor, for me, was the Nook Mileage Program. I'm not an achievement hunter, I don't see much point in them, but the tangible rewards of Nook Miles makes it significantly more appealing. With that simple incentive, a stuck with the game, and basically grinded for bells and miles. However, it was during that "grind" (it didn't feel like one), that I encountered the stuff that filled this experience with life and memories.
I must have shot down a dozen balloon presents, getting all sorts of stuff, even a fricking kimono (on my first day!) Accidentally shot a present into the water, no problem, have some more Nook Miles. After interacting with Agnes and Teddy, I absolutely love them. Agnes complimented me specifically on my kimono before bashfully self deprecating herself. Teddy seems like the average jock, but he's so cute, and his size and being a bear really fits his macho attitude. I struggled with fishing, at first, but once I got the hang of it I was raking in money, and then I was finding discarded boots that I could recycle to make wearable boots. I played with the designer and made paintings and shirts. I spent my Nook Miles to get a house (tomorrow), item wheel, pro designer, and some accessories, with each achievement I was closer to unlocking more of the game. The grind never felt like grind because the atmosphere was so relaxing and therapeutic, enhanced by adorable characters that felt unique to my island.
I feel so lucky with how things have turned out for me. Considering this is only one day, with the bare minimum to keep me entertained, I cannot wait to keep playing, exploring, discovering and experiencing everything this game has to offer.
I hope you're all enjoying it too, and if your new or trying to convince the uninitiated, don't worry, it sometimes takes the long way round, but we all end up in debt to Tom Nook eventually.
also the fandom is really wholesome and nice! after you get some shops and more villagers, 24 hours a day suddenly won't be enough anymore x
