The long-awaited Animal Crossing: New Horizons has arrived, and it's massive. Once you've arrived on your own deserted island, there's a lot to do, from pulling weeds to felling trees and transforming a barren wasteland into something resembling civilization.
It's easy to become overwhelmed as you learn New Horizons' plethora of systems, many of which rely on the player discovering things for themselves rather than being spoon-fed a slew of tutorials. It's a lovely approach, but we can understand if some people get lost.
As a result, Trusted Reviews has put together a list of six pointers to help you get started with Animal Crossing: New Leaf:New Horizons includes everything from Animal Crossing Bells making tips to the idea of creating a routine to ensure you get the most out of Nintendo's latest.
1. Tom Nook is a great place to start
Yes, we recognize how heinous and potentially deadly this advice may appear. The lecherous raccoon is known for bestowing loans on players and forcing them to complete all of the tasks he's too lazy to do himself, but he's also your best bet for getting ahead on the island.
Tom Nook, the guy dishing out major quests and milestones that introduce your house, important mechanics, and other goodies you'll need to succeed in New Horizons, will be your most frequent port of call during the opening hours. Try to pay him a visit once a day, jotting down any goals and adding them to your to-do list.
Tom Nook is also holding hostage important services like the town ATM, which is used to buy a variety of necessities, redeem Nook Miles, and pay off your loan. He'll drag you into the sea and break your legs if you don't accomplish the latter. Or something; he's not someone you can trust.
2. Create a daily schedule
New Horizons isn't like other games in that it can't be finished in a single sitting. In the real world, progress is determined by time. The day/night cycle is dictated by reality, which means that when the sun rises in the real world, it rises in Animal Crossing. Everything you do is based on this pace, so try to develop a routine that you can change on the fly.
I begin my day by scouring the island for washed-up fossils, shells, and other mementos. Following that, I speak with all of my villagers before visiting each shop to buy whatever appeals to me. Finally, I go to Residential Services to see what main quests I have coming up in the next few hours.
Try to create a similar pattern of activities for your island, as this will help you to be more productive. Setting a long-term goal, such as a challenging crafting recipe to pursue in the days and weeks ahead, can also be beneficial. Although I still want to build a giant mech, the amount of fallen star fragments required makes this a worthwhile challenge to pursue.
3. Make the most of your airport experience
The island airport is a valuable part of your virtual home, run by a duo of adorable flightless birds. It is used to invite friends to visit your island or to fly to theirs. Visiting other players' islands always results in a slew of unexpected spoils, such as bugs, fruit, and other unique items.
There are also Nook Miles Tickets, which can be used to transport you to a mysterious island full of surprises. You'll frequently come across new fossils, bugs, and other resources that are free to collect. Until your tools disintegrate into teeny-tiny fragments, that is.
Animals testing the waters of island life frequently inhabit these islands, and you have the option of persuading them to move onto yours. I'm a bad guy who only hires cute people with lots of personality. Only the best and brightest virtual creatures are allowed to call Weeaboo Island home.
4. Avoid being a recluse
Previous games in the franchise limited your home's cosmetic customization, making it impossible to jazz up the island/town itself with your endless array of furniture. That all changes at New Horizons, where you're encouraged to personalize the island. Because you'll be rewarded if you do, do exactly that.
Also, don't worry about being a jerk during the first few hours. Your garden could be a mishmash of flowers, birdhouses, and vending machines, all encircled by an oddly sized fence. It doesn't matter, though, because everything belongs to you at the end of the day. Get out there and express yourself; your friends and fellow islanders will thank you.
5. Get a few trees to shake
Every experienced Animal Crossing player will be familiar with the task of shaking trees. A cache of unexpected treasures hides among the leaves of these colossal monoliths. You might find crafting materials in some cases, while others may contain surprise furniture drops or money to spend in the island's shops. Just watch out for wasps: if they sting you twice, you'll pass out and return home.
6. Do not overlook the Nookphone
The Nookphone is a central mechanic in New Horizons, and it contains everything you'll need to live your island life. Quests, crafting recipes, custom designs, and a plethora of other items are all available here. As you progress through the day, the list will continue to grow, so keep an eye on it. Quests pay off handsomely, and customizing your in-game passport has a cute charm to it.