{"id":6974,"date":"2020-08-03T12:00:21","date_gmt":"2020-08-03T09:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/playlab.uta.fi\/?p=6974"},"modified":"2020-08-03T12:00:21","modified_gmt":"2020-08-03T09:00:21","slug":"deserted-island-getaway-package-animal-crossing-new-horizons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/deserted-island-getaway-package-animal-crossing-new-horizons\/","title":{"rendered":"Deserted Island Getaway package – Animal Crossing: New Horizons"},"content":{"rendered":"

A while <\/span><\/span>ago, Nintendo put an end to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>long\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wait for all the fans<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Animal Crossing -series.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>O<\/span><\/span>n 20th of March, the new game in the series was finally released on Switch: New Horizons. As a devoted fan<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0I was thrilled<\/span><\/span>. And here we have it<\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>New Horizons, fresh from the oven.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"A cosy tent to start the day from before upgrading to a house<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

This real-time social simulation throws the player in the middle of a deserted island with few tips and tools. A cosy little tent, some recipes for making tools and of course, a substantial debt<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>ravelling to a deserted island\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is not cheap<\/span><\/span>. From the very start, the core gameplay loop\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is introduced<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>ke loan, work hard to pay it off, take a new loan.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>This<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>simple loop keeps the game rolling and the player hooked.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>he game does not bother to introduce\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other game<\/span><\/span>\u00a0mechanics to the player in detail. Those previously familiar with\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the series<\/span><\/span>\u00a0would not be taken aback, for the meat and potatoes familiar to veteran players\u00a0<\/span><\/span>remain<\/span><\/span>. However, those new to the title might find themselves adrift. Playing with a seasoned friend<\/span><\/span>\u00a0or<\/span><\/span>\u00a0reading tips online could help a new player to get\u00a0<\/span><\/span>started<\/span><\/span>. But after all, Animal Crossing: New Leaf does not have a set win condition<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and playing your<\/span><\/span>\u00a0style is just as right,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>like<\/span><\/span>\u00a0any other style.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\n\"\"The museum is a familiar feature from previous Animal Crossing titles<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

For me, Animal Crossing games have always been a very atmospheric experience with its slow phased gameplay, changing natural environments and soothing soundscape. And it turns, out that New Horizons is not an exception. What stroke me first upon opening the game w<\/span><\/span>ere<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the visual<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>. T<\/span><\/span>he game was pleasing to look at. The vivid colours, soft lighting and smooth textures work together in perfect balance creating a coherent visible world. There\u2019s only one element distracting my\u00a0<\/span><\/span>personal\u00a0<\/span><\/span>visual enjoyment of the game: the hands of my character. Why could you not give my character thumbs but cursed them with chubby b<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>lls at the end of their arms? I guess you just can\u2019t have it all.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A p<\/span><\/span>eaceful night on my deserted island<\/span><\/span>\u00a0only to be distracted by the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>appearance<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of my character\u2019s hands<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Another game characteristic worth mentioning is the flow of the game. The game itself sets certain limitations on the gameplay progress<\/span><\/span>. This\u00a0<\/span><\/span>caus<\/span><\/span>es<\/span><\/span> the player to adapt to the real-time nature of the game (or changing the time and date on their Switch). Some game features are only available at certain times: shops are not open during the night and turnips can be purchased only on Sunday mornings. These features can feel restricting at times, but for me, it is only part of the charm. New Horizons has taught me (more or less) to just go with the flow and take it easy. On the other hand, I hope I could have more control over who resided on my island, as some characters really do not amuse me with their being.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\n\"\"<\/a>An unwanted\u00a0<\/span><\/span>animal\u00a0<\/span><\/span>resident, it might take a while to convince them to move away<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall, New Horizons presents a smooth, and polished visual and aural experience drawing the player into a carefree life on a deserted island. The game offers a vast array of options for customizing your tropical island to your liking, and there are 391 unique villagers alone to choose from! I would heartily recommend New Horizons to anyone enjoying slow phased, open-ended, and customizable gameplay experiences. The game might not excite those who crave for an action-packed thrill, but if you feel like you need a deserted island getaway package: pick up New Horizons.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Publisher:\u00a0<\/span>Nintendo<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Developer:\u00a0<\/span>Nintendo EPD<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Platform:<\/span>\u00a0Nintendo Switch<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Release date:\u00a0<\/span>March 20, 2020<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Genre:<\/span>\u00a0Social simulation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PEGI:\u00a0<\/span>3<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Banner<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>picture<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span>Promo<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>picture<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>from<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>game<\/span>
\nhttps:\/\/www.nintendo.com\/games\/detail\/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gameplay pictures: Taken by the author<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A relaxing, visually pleasing, deserted island experience on Switch for those in need of a break. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":6979,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1118,1120,1119,223],"class_list":["post-6974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-reviews","tag-animal-crossing","tag-new-horizons","tag-switch","tag-nintendo","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6974\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}