Maxwell Reese, Staff Writer

    Over the past few weeks, the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, has caused many people across the world to quarantine themselves.  For most teens, the reality of being required to stay inside all day without being able to see friends is absolutely dreadful.

    However, there is one saving grace for gamers. 

    “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was released on March 20, the latest installment in Nintendo’s 19-year-old franchise “Animal Crossing,” for the Nintendo Switch. 

    The simulation game takes place on an uninhabited island in the ocean. A Tanuki named Tom Nook, a recurring character in the “Animal Crossing” franchise, puts the player in charge of the development of the island. 

    “New Horizons” is a very casual game. Players have no objective they are forced to do, but instead have a variety of tasks they can choose to do at their own pace, if at all. 

    They can pay off their house loans to Tom Nook using Bells, the in-game currency acquired by selling the items they gather on the island. If they pay off their loan they are given the option of upgrading their home for an additional loan.

    Another possible objective is inviting cute animal characters called villagers to become citizens of the island. These characters don’t just stand around, instead they can provide special items and give players advice. The villagers will also sometimes buy items off the players.

    Players will also be given the option to donate the bugs, fish and fossils they can scavenge to the museum. Ran by an owl named Blathers, the museum allows players to display these items and even learn interesting facts about them. 

    There are many other activities players can do. They can decorate their house with wallpapers, floorings and furniture, alongside collecting many pieces of apparel to customize their avatar, creating custom designs for everything from paintings to clothes and eventually being able to terraform their own island. 

    If players have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, they can even visit their friends’ islands or invite friends to their own island, allowing players to play with up to seven additional people in real-time.

    One of Animal Crossing’s more notable features is how the game world changes constantly.  The game itself changes to match not only the time of day but also seasons, weather and even holidays.

“New Horizons” has a notable drawback for homes with multiple players. One Nintendo Switch System only can hold one island, and only the first account that plays the game will be able to progress the island. Known as the “Resident Representative”, this sole player can invite new villagers, move buildings, and create new structures. This lack of power greatly inhibits the experience of the other players. For many, buying a whole new system for just one game is absurd.

    Animal crossing is a delightfully relaxed game. Even for someone who prefers more fast-paced action games, the latest “Animal Crossing” has been a fun experience that has helped many times to lift the stress of the current state of affairs. Many other people think the same, as according to Famitsu sales data, more than 2.6 million copies have been sold in the first ten days of the game’s release.

    If you own a Nintendo Switch, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is highly recommended if you enjoy a more casual experience. Choosing to take a vacation to your island will be a great way to pass time in this unwelcome quarantine vacation. The game receives a solid 9/10 from The Warrior.