Animal Crossing: New Horizons

 Switch
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6617 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,370 out of 6617
  2. Mixed: 571 out of 6617
  3. Negative: 2,676 out of 6617
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  1. Speed0012
    Apr 6, 2020
    0
    I think I would like the game but I am unable to progress because my daughter has the primary character. So I am unable to get the full experience. It would be nice if there was a warning in the beginning. Then I would have set myself as the primary and then both of us would enjoy the game.
  2. AsphaltShip
    Apr 7, 2020
    0
    1 island PER CONSOLE with 1 player and up to 7 slaves (aka other players that cannot progress in the game) is a joke!

    You can’t transfer data in any way to “prevent cheating”, which is as naive as it is harmful for anyone that found out the first paragraph the hard way or whose console may break. Multiplayer is a vast joke with one player being nothing more than a portable tool/slave    1 island PER CONSOLE with 1 player and up to 7 slaves (aka other players that cannot progress in the game) is a joke!

    You can’t transfer data in any way to “prevent cheating”, which is as naive as it is harmful for anyone that found out the first paragraph the hard way or whose console may break.

    Multiplayer is a vast joke with one player being nothing more than a portable tool/slave

    Also be prepared for durability. Yes: tools break. A lot. Even the best ones break. This is by far the worst AC I’ve played so far and the worst offender is: I was eager to play it. So was a lot of people, and Nintendo will probably only look at the sales    … Expand
  3. Miinosh
    Apr 29, 2020
    0
    Had fun for the first few days. When my girlfriend wanted to start playing, we realized that she could not have her own island. Since neither of us wants to be "player 2", which would severely limit what you can do, I lost all interest and won't play again until we can create separate islands on the same console.
  4. Plantdadrob
    Apr 7, 2020
    1
    It’s a great game but the switch is shared between my partner and I. He created an account first and created the island. I’ve been more interested and put more hours in but can’t progress unless he progresses first. Wish multiplayer was better and everyone could get the same game experience.
  5. G33ch
    Apr 8, 2020
    1
    The limitations on anyone other than the initial player are absolutely ridiculous. This was a huge disappointment for me as my wife started the island (one island per switch) and I was left as an ancillary character when I joined in. The game play looked fun when she was playing, such a shame.
  6. VloneBrazy
    Apr 27, 2020
    9
    Really chill game that lets you do whatever feels like it could relieve your stress. With a wonderful atmosphere and adorable aesthetics you can enjoy your own life on a deserted island. This was the first animal crossing game I bought and I honestly did not see the appeal before. After playing I can finally say that seeing your island life progress with new animal friends and your ownReally chill game that lets you do whatever feels like it could relieve your stress. With a wonderful atmosphere and adorable aesthetics you can enjoy your own life on a deserted island. This was the first animal crossing game I bought and I honestly did not see the appeal before. After playing I can finally say that seeing your island life progress with new animal friends and your own creativity shine to show for others or simply for yourself is a fun thing. I have not even started to play with friends yet but I can imagine that will make the game even more enjoyable.… Expand
  7. Tmrla
    May 3, 2020
    0
    Bought as an escape from the quarantine blues and being stuck inside.

    Saw my son placing his tent on my island. Googled to find out there’s only one island per console. So this is a game about living with people in a small space with limited resources due to that restriction. Because I haven’t lived that enough for the last two months. What an absolute letdown. Deleted my save so my son    Bought as an escape from the quarantine blues and being stuck inside.

    Saw my son placing his tent on my island. Googled to find out there’s only one island per console.

    So this is a game about living with people in a small space with limited resources due to that restriction. Because I haven’t lived that enough for the last two months.

    What an absolute letdown. Deleted my save so my son could enjoy and I’ll just enjoy the day to day drudgery of quarantine.

    Thanks for nothing, Nintendo.    … Expand
  8. Scoose
    May 10, 2020
    2
    This game is a shameless cash grab by Nintendo to sell more consoles. To get the full experience, a second cartridge won't work, you need to buy a whole new console. The first player experiences the full game, additional players get to see what the first player chooses to do.

    Nintendo did this knowing the game would be popular and could potentially boost console sales. They might not    This game is a shameless cash grab by Nintendo to sell more consoles. To get the full experience, a second cartridge won't work, you need to buy a whole new console. The first player experiences the full game, additional players get to see what the first player chooses to do.

    Nintendo did this knowing the game would be popular and could potentially boost console sales. They might not care about one customer, but I will not be purchasing another thing by Nintendo unless this gets fixed.    … Expand
  9. shaemarie
    May 14, 2020
    0
    Bought this game for my kids to play and I'm fuming that they can't each play on their own islands on their own account. Each subsequent player is extremely limited by the first player and they get a watered down experience. So dissappointed.
  10. TheWiseCherokee
    May 14, 2020
    0
    Only one island per console????? That’s not going over well with my kids and I’m not about to buy each of them a switch simply so they can have their own islands to enjoy. Wish I could get a refund.
  11. SirLedyuka
    May 30, 2020
    0
    TL;DR
    The game is not finished nor polished. it looks like a giant beta with lots of feature that Nintendo put in the game for testing, but are very limited. I'm convinced the team that developed AC:NH is not as skilled nor experienced in game design than the one who've done the previous games.
    This game is a deception: - One island per console. You want to play with your relatives?    TL;DR
    The game is not finished nor polished. it looks like a giant beta with lots of feature that Nintendo put in the game for testing, but are very limited. I'm convinced the team that developed AC:NH is not as skilled nor experienced in game design than the one who've done the previous games.

    This game is a deception:
    - One island per console. You want to play with your relatives? Buy a new console you pigeon!

    - The local multiplayer is simply awful: the current player is considered "Master" and the second player a "Slave". As a slave, you can do absolutely nothing. NOT EVEN OPEN YOUR OWN INVENTORY. The local multiplayer is basically useless.

    - The UI design is bad, really bad. You need to pass 3 dialog boxes minimum before even reaching the feature you want. Characters talk to say nothing, really.

    - The famous "Characters are more intelligent now! They're aware with their environment" is completely **** They're no real upgrade of the dialogue system, villagers end-ups saying the same thing over and over again. The environmental awareness basically adds one dialogue out of the 20s they have.

    - You don't get to choose you villagers. If you fall with a villager you don't want, you're screwed, as the mechanism behind a villager moving out is strange; nobody knows exactly how it works. For me, I had to wait 2 months for a specific villager, out of the 6 I don't wanted in my island, to go.

    - If one of your villager move out, you have only a day to find another you want. Otherwise, the game will automatically give you a random one, too bad if you don't want him ¯_(ツ)_/¯.

    - It 's been 3 month since the release of the game. The only update we had were about "fixing stuff" and reducing some insects spawn because player could make a lot of money with it (But they let people sell their villager for an insane amount of money; see what happened to Raymond, it's just disgusting), and adding characters that should've been in the initial release of the game (Redd and Leif).

    - The craft system is very basic. You can't even craft multiple object at once, or use materials stocked in your house directly in the craft system.

    - It seems there's less insects and fishes to capture. Gyroids have been completely removed from the game. You read that right.

    - The game has a "story" that you can reach in about 1-2 weeks (because the game makes you wait one day each time you progress). When you finally reached that goal, the credits play, and it feels like there's nothing else to do in the game. Because there's nothing else to do in the game.

    - There's even less interactions with Nook and Isabelle than the last game. I thought it would be time for Nintendo to let players know Isabelle and Nook better, but no.

    - Speaking of them, they do the daily announcements every time you launch the game. After the completion of the main goal of the game, Isabelle will, EVERYDAY, says that there's nothing to say, unless you have someone move in/out, or a special event.
    Basically, this feature is useless after spending 1-2 weeks in the game.

    - The RNG behind the crafting recipes is broken. It's like the game doesn't want you to learn new items to craft. For weeks I stumble upon the same crafting recipes everyday. This is even more infuriating when the recipe you earn is composed of other recipe you don't have.

    - The whole Island Terraformation was a great idea, but badly executed. You can only terraformate one cell at the time. Your island is about 100*100 cells. It'll take you days before you reach your terraformation goal.

    - Remember when you could invite villagers to your house? Forget that. It does not exist in this game.

    There's a lot of thing Nintendo could have done to polish the game. There's a lot of features that are missing from the previous games, a lot of characters that are missing too.
    The game doesn't seem finished, nor polished in any way. In 3 months, we had ONE update with 2 characters that should've have been in the initial release of the game.
    Nintendo doesn't seem to care. but since the game is one of the most sold game of all time on switch, I don't think they'll continue to update the game with new characters and upgraded features.
    The hype killed the game.    … Expand
  12. GameZmaster43
    Jun 1, 2020
    0
    It’s absolutely appalling the design decisión from Nintendo not only making the one island per switch but also making only the first player the citizen representative. I was not the first player to start it up even though I bought it and now I’m stuck in the story. There are people that say this has always been the case, well that does not mean it’s right, it’s greedy from Nintendo forIt’s absolutely appalling the design decisión from Nintendo not only making the one island per switch but also making only the first player the citizen representative. I was not the first player to start it up even though I bought it and now I’m stuck in the story. There are people that say this has always been the case, well that does not mean it’s right, it’s greedy from Nintendo for trying to get me buy another switch for another familiar member. It’s a household console, already expensive in this time of crisis but also the game is expensive too, we do not live in a chocolate world. This feature has completely ruined the game for me, if animal crossing is a great game well then that’s a game that’s unplayable for me.… Expand
  13. Kazem
    Mar 21, 2020
    9
    The game is almost perfect! I must say that the only flaw is really the fact that you can only have one island, (many review bomb confirm that) but other thant that, the game is perfect! Can't wait to put 100 more hours in it!
  14. i_mush
    Mar 23, 2020
    0
    This game has been marketed as a game for family amd friends where the multiplayer was encouraged, yet if you don’t get to start the islamd, you’re basically a roamer that aimlessly collects fruit. You give no contribution to the development of the island and are bound to the progress the first player decides to male, it feels like you don’t matter at all, you don’t even receive recipes orThis game has been marketed as a game for family amd friends where the multiplayer was encouraged, yet if you don’t get to start the islamd, you’re basically a roamer that aimlessly collects fruit. You give no contribution to the development of the island and are bound to the progress the first player decides to male, it feels like you don’t matter at all, you don’t even receive recipes or anything. Factor in the decision of one island per console and you can easily jump to the conclusion that nintendo wants every engaged player to own a console, and since the Nintendo switch sits on a price range that’s way higher than that of the Nintendo 3DS this is just absurd. If you’re alone the game is fine and perfect, if you share the console with other people the game will be cool just for the first player, and utterly boring and discriminating for the remaining players. Also, if the first player stops playing, everyone is stuck and the only option is to restart the game from zero.… Expand
  15. Operation-Z
    Mar 21, 2020
    9
    So far of what I played, I don’t think it deserves all the hate it gets, however some of the problems especially early on can be a huge dealbreaker to some such as 1 island per user, co-op, and the fact that it starts off super slowly, which could turn off new fans. Also why do you get hourly music later in the game? Hearing the same track for the whole day gets really irritating. Also ISo far of what I played, I don’t think it deserves all the hate it gets, however some of the problems especially early on can be a huge dealbreaker to some such as 1 island per user, co-op, and the fact that it starts off super slowly, which could turn off new fans. Also why do you get hourly music later in the game? Hearing the same track for the whole day gets really irritating. Also I don’t really like the piece of music, but that is a me problem. Hopefully Nintendo listens and fixes some of these issues. Overall, I highly recommend this game. Gorgeous graphics, fun and addicting gameplay, and the amazing charm the series is best known for.… Expand
  16. AlexKidd
    Mar 20, 2020
    9
    As a first timer to the animal crossing series, it was a bit hard to get into at first, but i really enjoy it now. The music, the graphics, the vibe, it's all so relaxing. The only downside i can think of now is the crazy amount of dialogue you can't skip. Great game! Can't wait to play in other seasons!
  17. AlicesGun
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Don't buy this game if you have more people playing on one Switch. It is a good Game for the first Player that enters the game, but the next player that wants to start the game is strictly limited in his gameplay.
  18. Danbea
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    My bf started playing before me. No option to create my own island and being the 2nd player to start on a console sucks. You miss out on so much that only the 1st player gets in terms of activities, resources, etc. It's absolutely terrible. You have to buy a 2nd console if more than one person in your household wants to get the full game experience. That's unacceptable.
  19. PloverLoverjr
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So great game if you are the first player. However, if you are playing local multiplayer with your family the game is absolute trash. Everything in the game is progress locked behind the first player. Whoever came up with the Resident Representative idea has no idea what Animal Crossing should be.

    Hopefully at some point Nintendo removes this so that all players can play the game equally.    … Expand
  20. blendcoffee
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    The multiplayer sucks on this one. They might as well say it's single player on the store page. And by the way: 1 island per switch. How on earth you people don't have 1 switch per family member at this point? /s
  21. Alextricity
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    The Game is great for one person per day as once one player has done something on the island the other player has no purpose for that whole day and cannot progress at all the perfect fix for the game would be one 'island' per switch but sub island's which are un editable by accounts who dont own that sub island, or better yet just an option for cloud saves or 2 islands.
  22. ALb7XjrpdgruRkD
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    It is so ridiculous that only one player has access to all of the features of the game. I allowed my younger sister to play the game before me, and now as player two I won't be able to do everything! Shame on you Nintendo for your greed and laziness!
  23. Bhrawn
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    We have 3 daughters that play this game and I've got to say, TERRIBLE decision to only allow 1 island per Switch! Really leaves a bad taste in my mouth towards Nintendo. I can't imagine they didn't see these issues as being a problem before release, which, I think, makes them terrible, greedy people. Here I thought they were a family-priority company. Disgraceful!
  24. RezzCritic
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Payed for a switch, Payed for an online subscription, payed for the game, can't even enjoy it fully because I'm player 2.

    Never again
  25. jjenninnggss
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    I created a metacritic account for the sole purpose of expressing my disappointment in this game. It'd be a 10 for the single player game, but the terrible way they handled multiplayer ruins it. I let my wife take the lead, only to find I can't progress. Plus, playing at the same time with local coop is a joke. I'd rather sit back and watch someone else play. Like others have pointed out,I created a metacritic account for the sole purpose of expressing my disappointment in this game. It'd be a 10 for the single player game, but the terrible way they handled multiplayer ruins it. I let my wife take the lead, only to find I can't progress. Plus, playing at the same time with local coop is a joke. I'd rather sit back and watch someone else play. Like others have pointed out, this is a blatant and disappointing money grab by Nintendo.… Expand
  26. PlayTop2100
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Only one island per switch makes me mad. I wanted to play the game but Nintendo said "Naw fam".
  27. bbdude95
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Multiplayer:
    Claiming the game is "co-op" is basically a joke. If you aren't the first person to start the game you are essentially useless and every functionality is locked out. You have to wait for the original player to advance the story if you want anything to happen or change. Now if player one decides to take a break from the game or isn't able to play for a while you have no option    Multiplayer:
    Claiming the game is "co-op" is basically a joke. If you aren't the first person to start the game you are essentially useless and every functionality is locked out. You have to wait for the original player to advance the story if you want anything to happen or change. Now if player one decides to take a break from the game or isn't able to play for a while you have no option but to wait for them. I hope you didn't buy this game for the sole purpose of playing multiplayer like I did.

    Game content:
    The island feels pretty small when you first start out. The island we chose had very little starting space. The tutorial is fairly long for how simple the mechanics are. Second player and up will progress through the opening a lot faster. The game is cute as always but fairly bland. Tldr: Multiplayer is horrible and there isn't really much to redeem the game.    … Expand
  28. Nurseg64
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Pre-ordered, waited....got the game, let my son go first...finally got to play, only to find out I'm a glorified NPC. My son is enjoying the game and from what little I could actually do in the game it looks like it could be fun to play if you are the only one in your household. This is ridiculous, I have been a long time customer but this will be the last time I purchase Nintendo gamesPre-ordered, waited....got the game, let my son go first...finally got to play, only to find out I'm a glorified NPC. My son is enjoying the game and from what little I could actually do in the game it looks like it could be fun to play if you are the only one in your household. This is ridiculous, I have been a long time customer but this will be the last time I purchase Nintendo games unless they fix this issue. In this day and age and state of the world, no one needs to feel like a second class citizen while playing a GAME. PLEASE FIX THIS!… Expand
  29. VEKT808
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Was so looking forward to starting my own island but you know I’m a secondary account so I don’t matter to Nintendo and the only way to matter is to buy another switch, yay.
  30. Grixx
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    One island per switch, I have 2 kids that want to play, caused nothing but fighting so far..
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Switch Game of 2020
1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 111 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 111
  3. Negative: 0 out of 111
  1. Universo Nintendo
    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.
    Read full review
  2. The Digital Fix
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »