Introduction
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a popular life simulation game developed by Nintendo that was released in March 2020. It allows players to live on a deserted island, collect resources, build their own homes, and interact with adorable animal characters. This article provides a step-by-step guide for beginners, tips and tricks for experienced players, and insights from expert gamers and developers to help you get the most out of the game.
A Step-by-Step Guide
Before starting, make sure you have a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite console and a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
Setting up the game and console
Insert the game cartridge into the console or download the game from the Nintendo eShop. Connect your Nintendo Switch to the Internet to receive any updates.
Creating a character
Create your character with your preferred name, appearance, and clothing. After this, you will have a brief chat with the island representative, Tom Nook.
Exploring the game map
Explore the island to catch fish, insects, and sea creatures, as well as collect fruits and resources like wood, stone, and iron nuggets. Use Resident Services to purchase tools and other items that can help you in your adventures.
Collecting resources
Collect different resources to upgrade your tools and build furniture and facilities. Shake trees to collect fruits, hit rocks with your shovel and collect materials, fish in the waters, and use your net to catch insects.
Building tools and furniture
Use your resources to build DIY projects, including tools and furniture. You can collect DIY recipes by fishing up message bottles, hit balloons floating across the sky, or by simply talking to your animal friends.
Tasks to complete on the first day
After completing a few tasks, you will be able to invite more animals to your island. Establish a good relationship with your animal neighbors, and customize your island with your own unique DIY creations.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your gameplay:
Strategies for earning bells
Bells are the game’s virtual currency used to buy items and pay off your loan. You can earn bells by selling fish, fruits, and resources. You can also complete tasks like making deliveries, catching rare fish or insects, and completing quests or missions from your animal friends.
Collecting items
Certain items like collectibles or rare creatures only appear at a specific time of the day, so make sure to play at different times to catch them all. Participate in seasonal events to grab exclusive items and DIY recipes.
Building friendships with other animals
Interact with your animal friends by talking to them, giving them presents, or playing games. This can be beneficial when you need help with resources, DIY projects, or tasks that are required to progress in the game. Plus, the bonds you make with the animals can lead to interesting storylines and events.
Time travel tricks
If you want to experiment or speed up the game’s progression, time travel allows players to jump to different days or seasons. However, this can negatively affect the game, so it’s recommended to use this feature sparingly.
Using amiibo and amiibo cards
Amiibo figures or cards allow players to invite special characters to their island and collect exclusive items. To do this, you can use the amiibo feature on your Nintendo Switch console.
Exclusive Interviews
We talked to some expert gamers and game developers, and here are their insights on effective gameplay and tips and tricks.
Expert gamer insights
“Animal Crossing is a game that revolves around collecting resources and making friends with quirky animal characters. To make the most of your gameplay, always keep an eye out for new DIY recipes, make sure to visit other islands, and upgrade your tools as soon as possible. Don’t forget to change your time zone to catch unique items and creatures specific to different seasons and times,” says Ginny, an Animal Crossing expert.
Game developer tips and tricks
“Animal Crossing: New Horizons was designed to be a relaxing and free-form game so that players can enjoy the game on their own terms. You can play the game indefinitely by keeping the game’s ecosystem running smoothly, keeping relationships alive, and expanding your home and your island,” says Yasuhiro Oyama, a game developer from Nintendo.
Beginner’s Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them:
Common beginner mistakes
Starting the game without a plan, not saving regularly, not building enough storage, or rushing the game progression can leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed.
Importance of planning and organization in the game
Good planning and organization can help you have a smoother gameplay experience. At the start of the game, create an island design layout and determine your personal goals. Pay off your loan first and invest in expanding your storage space to avoid clutter. Use your time wisely by prioritizing task completion and using time travel sparingly.
Overview of how the game progresses
Remember that the game progresses as the player makes progress. Bridging the gap between beginner and advanced players is a satisfying and rewarding experience, and will lead to many hours of enjoyable gameplay.
Customizing Your Gameplay
Here are some ideas for customizing your gameplay:
Changing the time of day
Changing the time zone allows you to experience the game and its special features at different times. This can lead to new discoveries and interactions.
Adding new items
In addition to the game’s default items, you can add your own unique items through DIY projects or by using the amiibo feature.
Personalizing your virtual home
Your home is an extension of your personality. You can personalize it by picking up items, and by customizing walls, floors, and furniture. Experiment with different themes like medieval or futuristic styles.
Conclusion
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a fun and rewarding game to play at any age. With this guide, you should be able to start your island adventure, avoid beginner mistakes, and customize your gameplay. Remember, patience and persistence are key. With time, you will unlock new DIY projects, clothing, and items, and watch your island grow into a beautiful paradise.
