User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6617 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Mar 23, 2020
    9
    The one island per console is pretty stupid, but I really enjoy the game. Probably a much bigger issue for those with families or multiple users on the same Switch but for me it's not too much of a problem. Really great way to unwind, the Nook Miles are a little gimmicky but keep the game interesting for now. Kinda wish it wasn't locked to real time but mostly because I'm impatient. I canThe one island per console is pretty stupid, but I really enjoy the game. Probably a much bigger issue for those with families or multiple users on the same Switch but for me it's not too much of a problem. Really great way to unwind, the Nook Miles are a little gimmicky but keep the game interesting for now. Kinda wish it wasn't locked to real time but mostly because I'm impatient. I can see myself logging a metric f-ton of time into this game. Good way to calm down after ripping and tearing through Hell in Doom Eternal. Expand
  2. Mar 22, 2020
    9
    Retains the relaxed and addictive atmosphere the series is known for while also offering many quality of life improvements, such as choosing where other villagers live and the ability to place furniture outside. These factors contribute to an excellent amount of customisation and ensure that I will be playing for years to come.

    I have two complaints with this new entry though. The first
    Retains the relaxed and addictive atmosphere the series is known for while also offering many quality of life improvements, such as choosing where other villagers live and the ability to place furniture outside. These factors contribute to an excellent amount of customisation and ensure that I will be playing for years to come.

    I have two complaints with this new entry though. The first is the crafting mechanic. While scavenging for materials to build things ranging from tools to furniture is interesting initially, the novelty wears off quickly and it becomes a chore. This is especially evident with tools constantly breaking. The second complaint is the lack of cloud saving, giving me no current way to back up my save data.
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  3. Mar 22, 2020
    8
    I think it's a really enjoyable, addictive game. The graphics look really good, and doing chores for Tom Nook doesn't feel like it. The criticisms about one island per console are very valid, and understandably frustrating. I can see how families and couples would have a problem with it, though, even if it is something I do not. Just don't think that's worth giving it a zero. Anyways, buyI think it's a really enjoyable, addictive game. The graphics look really good, and doing chores for Tom Nook doesn't feel like it. The criticisms about one island per console are very valid, and understandably frustrating. I can see how families and couples would have a problem with it, though, even if it is something I do not. Just don't think that's worth giving it a zero. Anyways, buy at your own risk, but do your homework first Expand
  4. Mar 22, 2020
    9
    It seems all the negative reviews are about the fact that you can only have one island per system, regardless of how many users there are. If this isn't a problem then you, like me, will absolutely love this game. It's Animal Crossing - on the Switch. Things from the older games have been streamlined but it feels different enough to be a worthy sequel.

    The game looks gorgeous, the
    It seems all the negative reviews are about the fact that you can only have one island per system, regardless of how many users there are. If this isn't a problem then you, like me, will absolutely love this game. It's Animal Crossing - on the Switch. Things from the older games have been streamlined but it feels different enough to be a worthy sequel.

    The game looks gorgeous, the character customisation is at a series high, the villagers seem more alive than ever before, the progression is satisfying (albeit slow in the first few days), and all in all, the game is just fantastic. I'll be playing it for years, for sure.
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  5. Mar 21, 2020
    8
    This game is just further proof that Nintendo refuses to understand what people want from an online experience. Only one island, combined with whoever leads gets all the items picked up. Bottom line is if your not leading your not progressing.
  6. Mar 23, 2020
    10
    It's absolutely amazing, gorgeous looking game, tons of stuff to do, you'll never run out of thing to do.
  7. Mar 21, 2020
    10
    YES, the game starts slowly, but by day 3, I have had so much to do, I don't know what to do with all my time! This is exactly the game the world needs right now. Highly recommended, 10/10.
  8. Mar 22, 2020
    9
    First of all I want to admit that yeah, it’s true single console multiplayer options are terrible. The second character gets dumbed down to a sort of follower that can only be in the shadow of the main player. Truth is tho that this feature has been true of New Leaf as well. If you wanted multiple villagers, the second wasn’t mayor and didn’t have as much freedom. So I would say that thisFirst of all I want to admit that yeah, it’s true single console multiplayer options are terrible. The second character gets dumbed down to a sort of follower that can only be in the shadow of the main player. Truth is tho that this feature has been true of New Leaf as well. If you wanted multiple villagers, the second wasn’t mayor and didn’t have as much freedom. So I would say that this isn’t a step back, but rather a lack of step forward from the developers on that front. However I don’t believe that this condemns all the amazing other features and steps forward. All furniture has been remodelled with great details, textures and lighting effects for a game with such a simplistic artistic direction. The museum is sublime, and the hourly music is memorable (for some). Animals now do lots of activities too and feel more alive than ever with witty and varied dialogue. Crafting is simple but well implemented, and it is a pleasure to slowly build the island into the little village the previous games had gotten us used to. I am ready to take off two points for the limitations created for families/friends with one console, though it does not concern me personally, but that does not entirely condemn it for all the wonderful things it has to offer and the great effort that was put into designing the game. It can’t be enjoyed by all, but for those that are planning to play solo, go for it, there is so much to get out of this experience!! Expand
  9. Mar 23, 2020
    8
    For those who are not familiar to the animal crossing franchise, Animal Crossing is a life stimulation game where you take your time to relax and explore your island as well as forming friendship with the villagers while doing outdoor activities such as bug catching and fishing.

    As for New Horizons the game is just pleasant to play. The control feels right, there's more events to do,
    For those who are not familiar to the animal crossing franchise, Animal Crossing is a life stimulation game where you take your time to relax and explore your island as well as forming friendship with the villagers while doing outdoor activities such as bug catching and fishing.

    As for New Horizons the game is just pleasant to play. The control feels right, there's more events to do, the atmosphere is much more lively and what's more with the addition of terraforming allows players to build new path or destroying the edge of a cliff in their island to how they see fits. Veterans of the animal crossing franchise fans will most likely appreciate all these new addition to the games.

    The games does everything right in term of the gameplay but it does have some cons to it as well. Nintendo have set restriction where you only can have one island on a switch which means that you can't have multiple islands on the same console. It also restricted other profile users in your switch to perform activities in the island if you're not the owner of the island. Therefore New Horizon single player aspect is fun and all but if you're looking for a co-op experience this game does really poorly on that aspect.
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  10. Mar 24, 2020
    10
    The game is exceptional. It’s so much fun to build an island and watch it develop with each day. Every day there is something to do and goals to accomplish. Sure, the only having one island on one switch is annoying but not enough to detract from the game in a major way.
  11. Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Juego excelente, y muy adictivo!!! 100% recomendable, aún y cuando no hayas jugado las entregas anteriores
  12. Mar 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Basándonos en cómo funciona animal crossing y sus prestaciones anteriores por fin podemos mover a los vecinos y recolocar todo para tener el entorno ideal Expand
  13. Feb 10, 2023
    9
    After more than 200 hours I can safely say that New Horizons, my first Animal Crossing game, has made me a fan of the franchise and I couldn’t be happier with how this entry turned out on Switch. Gorgeous visuals, smooth performance and an addicting gameplay loop make this a stellar game and one of the very best Switch titles to date. Highly recommended.
  14. Dec 9, 2022
    8
    A pick-up-and-play friendly sandbox game that respects your time but gives back graciously from it, AC:NH is inoffensive, relaxing, and liberating with how much design control you have.
  15. Feb 14, 2023
    10
    I'm late to play this game, such a great gaming experience I've been enjoying so much. Its a slow and steady game to build up friendship and township with the others. Sometimes I'm tired off playing stressful games, and ACNH is the perfect platform for me to destress from my works
  16. May 7, 2022
    8
    Game is fun and the customization compared to older titles is really nice. The gameplay is still fun though gets old quickly after a while, though get thats what the game goes for though it feels like you are just refreshing the shop for an item you might actually want eventually.

    A chill game to just chill out with. I do find the villagers in this one to be very dull and uninteresting
    Game is fun and the customization compared to older titles is really nice. The gameplay is still fun though gets old quickly after a while, though get thats what the game goes for though it feels like you are just refreshing the shop for an item you might actually want eventually.

    A chill game to just chill out with. I do find the villagers in this one to be very dull and uninteresting and that was what kept me playing before, only so many fossils you can dig up.
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  17. Nov 2, 2021
    10
    This game is incredible! ❤️❤️❤️
    The progression, the differences that happens every day. I love my experience and it is the game that I most played on my switch.
    This is the game that I have more houses on this console
  18. Dec 14, 2020
    10
    Really good game, it was so beautiful playing this at quarantine, 200 hours in 2 months of quarantine, I don't remember any other game that make me play like a crazy boy.
  19. Feb 12, 2022
    10
    This game is probably one of Nintendo's best. It is as of now the best Animal Crossing game. There are a few flawed areas. The Vilagers are a bit bland and say the same things after a while, to the point where it gets boring to talk to them. The game is more forgiving than older titles, but it also lacks a lot of the flavor. But the pros outweigh the cons, and you can sink so many hoursThis game is probably one of Nintendo's best. It is as of now the best Animal Crossing game. There are a few flawed areas. The Vilagers are a bit bland and say the same things after a while, to the point where it gets boring to talk to them. The game is more forgiving than older titles, but it also lacks a lot of the flavor. But the pros outweigh the cons, and you can sink so many hours into it without even realizing it Expand
  20. Dec 30, 2022
    9
    Addicting, fun, and clever. It has a wide array of options to do and can create your island in many amazing ways, The only issue, that hinders the experience, is ONE ISLAND PER SWITCH. Want a new island? You got to delete it and save it for the dream address.
  21. Oct 17, 2022
    10
    Animal crossing is amazing, open world game. A family friendly Nintendo game; an amazing escape from reality and it released when it was needed most.
  22. Oct 27, 2022
    8
    The first Animal Crossing game I've ever played. At first this series didn't interest me, but I decided to give it a try during the pandemic and I'm glad I did. The gameplay loop is really relaxing and easy. I found the game to appear deceptively simple, until you learn about all the available mechanics and how you can utilize them to build your island and progress further. I enjoyed theThe first Animal Crossing game I've ever played. At first this series didn't interest me, but I decided to give it a try during the pandemic and I'm glad I did. The gameplay loop is really relaxing and easy. I found the game to appear deceptively simple, until you learn about all the available mechanics and how you can utilize them to build your island and progress further. I enjoyed the quaintness of the game, but I understand the criticism it recieves. I enjoyed my 120hr playthrough of the game and I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a chill, relaxing game. Expand
  23. Nov 12, 2022
    10
    The game that saved me during lockdown. Incredibly chill and easy to play. Perfect for any and all.
  24. Nov 19, 2022
    10
    Me encanta cómo lleva más allá la mecánica de New Leaf de construir proyectos, esta vez permitiéndonos colocar muebles por la isla, esto permite personalizarla muchísimo. Además, poder cambiar el terreno y el agua es maravilloso.
    Me parece que gráficamente se ve genial.
    El juego logra hacer lo que busca. El único punto negativo que veo es no poder crear más de una isla por consola,
    Me encanta cómo lleva más allá la mecánica de New Leaf de construir proyectos, esta vez permitiéndonos colocar muebles por la isla, esto permite personalizarla muchísimo. Además, poder cambiar el terreno y el agua es maravilloso.
    Me parece que gráficamente se ve genial.
    El juego logra hacer lo que busca.
    El único punto negativo que veo es no poder crear más de una isla por consola, entiendo que esto lo hicieron de esta manera para que amigos y familiares pudiesen vivir en la misma isla, pero yo tengo mi isla organizada de una manera que no quiero que nadie perturbe. También echo en falta a algunos personajes.
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  25. Nov 28, 2022
    10
    It’s an amazing game, one of my favorite switch games, and it is a wonderful experience, however if you have an older console most of the other animal crossing games are better, however if you have a switch this should be one of the first 10 games you get.
  26. Feb 6, 2023
    10
    10/10 game, i adore it, i get to be creative in a whole new way, its just such a calming and feel good game. i have 1500+ hours in it and i intent to keep playing!
  27. Feb 6, 2023
    10
    Chill live nothing very good but too much chill make island and chill only chill
  28. Feb 13, 2023
    10
    I think lot of people dont like it, becouse its not an action game, but its one of the best game in the console
  29. Mar 3, 2023
    8
    Very fun game to chill on if you can keep up with it. Once you leave it for a long while it can be daunting to tidy everything back up. Getting villagers you want can also be a hassle but the pure customization of your island is phenomenal.
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 111 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Negative: 0 out of 111
  1. Dec 19, 2020
    95
    Animal Crossing New Horizons is basically perfect. Full of wholesome content that helped us cope with the COVID-19 pandemics, the game keeps the heart of its predecessors while innovating enough to make it unique. It may not have won Game of the Year but it'll be the game we all remember from 2020, for sure.
  2. Jun 22, 2020
    80
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a stunning new instalment in the Animal Crossing franchise, hindered only by its lack of immediate content, quality of life issues and missing returning characters and features While future updates will give the game long-term playability, for those already sipping vacation juice on their five-star islands, island life feels pretty mundane right now.
  3. CD-Action
    May 12, 2020
    95
    It’s full of detail, pretty small things, and surprisingly well working simulations and systems – everything polished in such a way that the player really does care about everything that’s going on. [06/2020, p.40]