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Game reviews / Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

2020 · Nintendo Switch · Life simulation · Social simulation · Management · Adventure

96 /100

4 scored sources · 4 countries contributing scores

Review consensus

Animal Crossing: New Horizons expands the series with an exceptionally flexible island-building sandbox, rewarding players with a relaxing daily routine of collecting, crafting, decorating, socializing, and gradual development. Critics consistently praised its charm, audiovisual detail, customization, seasonal structure, and strong long-term appeal, while the new Nook Miles and DIY systems give routine activities useful purpose. The slower opening, tool durability, escalating costs, and limited depth of multiplayer can frustrate some players, but the unhurried design is central to its appeal. Overall, it is a polished, highly personal life simulation with remarkable staying power.

Limited geographic coverage. Treat this score as an early indication.

Last researched: 2026-09-18

Pros

  • Extensive island, home, and character customization
  • Charming presentation, villagers, dialogue, and environmental detail
  • Relaxing daily progression with strong long-term appeal
  • DIY crafting and Nook Miles add structure to routine activities

Cons

  • Tool durability and repeated resource gathering can become tedious
  • Infrastructure and relocation costs create persistent money grinding
  • Early progression is deliberately slow
  • Multiplayer and villager interactions are less deep than the customization systems

Review sources

4 sources found across 4 countries. This is not exhaustive worldwide coverage.

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