I have never considered myself a gamer. Watching others play from behind the scenes has always been more my style, as I easily get scared and feel disheartened when I “die” in a game.
However, on March 21st, I finally got my hands on the popular game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). My copy even came with a free Tom Nook key ring! Despite owning a Switch, I had never delved into the world of gaming. I had heard of Animal Crossing but knew little about it, other than its reputation for being cute and popular.
When I started the game, it asked for my name and the name of my island. Convinced that I would be playing solo, I chose the name “tots.” I didn’t realize there was an option for uppercase letters, so my name remained in lowercase. When Tom Nook asked me to name my island, I was caught off guard and hastily named it “crossy,” associating it with the mobile game Crossy Road. Looking back, I wish I had chosen something like “Janine” or “Ja” for my name and “Kokomo” (inspired by the Beach Boys song) or “Pear Town” (my island’s native fruit) for my island.
Two weeks into playing ACNH, I was still exploring the game on my own, using Nook Tickets to visit Mystery Islands and gather resources. In the early days, I focused on basic gameplay, interacting mainly with my original villagers, Biff and Plucky. When the gifting interaction unlocked, I found joy in giving gifts to my villagers, although I noticed they weren’t too fond of receiving footwear. I remember giving Biff a flower, and the next day, he proudly displayed it. This marked the beginning of my ongoing “friendsgiving” with my villagers.
Saturdays became a highlight for me, as K.K. Slider would visit my island. I also joined a Facebook group for ACNH players in New Zealand, where I learned a lot about the game. For new players like me, joining such a group is a great way to interact with others and discover new aspects of the game. I learned that there is more to ACNH than just cutting trees and chatting with cute villagers. Through the stalk market, I managed to make a fortune in bells, thanks to turnips. Shout out to Shivs for the tips! Without turnips, I wouldn’t have been able to pay off a 2.4 million bell mortgage to Tom Nook.
Interacting with other players became a fun part of the game. One of my favorite characters is Celeste, who gives out magical DIY recipes. I also enjoy wishing upon the stars. My island eventually filled up with 10 villagers, although two have since moved away and been replaced. Currently, my island is home to Plucky, Drago, Victoria, Ava, Biskit, Ellie, Vic, Gigi, Queenie, and Tex. I had to say goodbye to Quillson and Biff when they decided to move on, which was bittersweet.
Despite not being a gamer, ACNH has kept me glued to my couch, especially during the lockdown period. To date, I have spent over 230 hours playing the game, which is a significant milestone for me. ACNH has turned me into a sort-of gamer and given me more reasons to stay at home. I love everything about this game.
See you in the game, and take care always!
