Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo Switch) Preview

As plane flies over a remote island, incoming inhabitants get a sneak peek of the possibilities of a brand-new home could entail. At the start, pick the layout and meet the initial neighbours. What's immediately clear is the nice balance between control and gated progression. Simply set-up where you and the others can camp, but start from scratch in a tent.

From the outset, Animal Crossing: New Horizons seems like the perfect balance between old and new. The textures and visuals are stunning - from the beautifully rendered feathers, fur, and scales, to the sparkling water. Even the delicate wind effects scattered about a glorious sunset; it's truly a paradise to behold.

However, there's no such thing as a free lunch! As per the other games in the series, start off with a sizeable loan - and multiple ways to pay it off. Those familiar with the previous iterations know the drill: plant, sell, harvest, buy and so on. There are new ways to explore the island - providing a great gating system to your experience.

A great addition to New Horizons is the added expressiveness; even when looking through the inventory. Animals will be seen sweeping, fishing, and bug catching. The cast and world feel truly alive this time round - from holding yoga poses, to simply sitting and contemplating life. Where the other games promoted hustling and keeping busy by collecting bells, there is a refined balance between work, play, and relaxation time. A truly refreshing island experience.

A game where players work, you might ask? It's amazing how much fun can be had crafting, creating, and designing, as well as harvesting, planting, and collecting. It sounds exhaustive but doesn't feel like work. As per the previous entries, this appreciates your hard work fishing, bug catching, and fossil appraising by showcasing the spoils in Blathers' museum. The improved textures and lighting really come to the fore here.

It doesn't stop there - the creativity that the game affords is astounding - even to the point where paths and islands can be forged. This paradise is really yours to create. The pacing feels right, and each hint doesn't feel too forced. There are often times where a new path becomes available, serving a new way of interacting with the island. The hunger for more will grow with each day.