I’ve been a fan of the Animal Crossing series for a while now, and eagerly awaited this game for what felt like centuries. And it was 100% worth that wait. This game is deceptively addictive. What seems like a simple game about animals on a deserted island is as easy or as difficult as you choose to make it. This means that my nine-year-old can play it for as long as I can and have the same amount of fun without frustration. At the time of writing this review, it’s been a little over two weeks since release. I’ve already sunk hundreds of hours into it, with no end in sight in regards to entertainment value.

There’s a massive shadow in the water at the edge of the beach. This is it. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. It has to be an oarfish, and when I reel it in, I’ll be able to sell it for thousands of bells to two small raccoons so I can pay off my debt to their father — also a raccoon — who built my...

This game is a great change of pace from other games I usually play. The atmosphere is relaxed with no time limits or deadlines as you build your island paradise into a thriving community at your own pace. It's great to sit back and work on my island collecting Pears or wood, or going fishing looking for new species on the island. I can even go and dig for fossils to stock the island's museum. The game is relaxing, but not without goals to work towards. The only downside I have encountered so far is the UI for buying and selling items - it can be very repetitive going through the same dialogue for each sale whilst trying to save up some money for a larger house.