On February 20th worldwide, Nintendo presented an Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct to highlight the upcoming game in the series, particularly an in-depth look at Nook Inc.’s Deserted Island Getaway Package. This is a huge game for Nintendo, and it is one that fans have been begging for since the Nintendo Switch was initially announced. It is a grand time to be an Animal Crossing fan! So, without further ado, let’s dive into this Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct.
Choose the Island
Before starting, you will have the option to choose your island, as well as which hemisphere it will be located on. This is awesome for those who live in the southern hemisphere and maybe missed out on feeling like they were experiencing the same world as their island. Now, we are able to customize this more!
Resident Services
Resident Services is here for all of your daily needs. It is open 24 hours a day! It will sell everyday goods, they will purchase your items, and they will offer advice for living on the deserted island.
Learn DIY recipes to make your own goods, too! You can even create and use your own custom designs on your DIY-made goods. You can learn more through the workshop services provided by Nook Inc.
Airport
The airport will serve as the local and online service for visiting islands or having others visit your island. You will be able to visit islands of those that are not registered as a friend. This will require a Dodo Code, and there will be restrictions in such the case, like the inability to use your axe, shovel, and other items that could potential damage other’s islands. The airport service will be available 24 hours a day.
You can even sent postcards to any of the local residents from the airport lobby!
Nookphone
It has your standard apps, like a camera and map. But over time, it will support new apps to help with your varying island needs.
Morning Announcements
Every morning, Tom Nook will greet players with important announcements, including events, life advice, and more!
Nook Mileage Program
Completing various tasks in game will help you to earn “miles” that can be spent on paying off the getaway package and purchasing various goods that can help you on the island. They can even be spent on mystery tours to other islands and collect new items, discover different bugs and fish, and you may even encounter new potential residents!
Dangerous Insects
You may encounter some dangerous bugs on the island, like wasps and scorpions. This may leave some embarrassing blemishes on you, but they can be healed by medicine provided by Resident Services. It may be wise to keep some of that medicine on you just in case.
Gulliver is Back!
That stowaway just continues to find his way on every island. It is so wonderful to know that he is back in New Horizons to keep us entertained in the wee hours.
Ghosts are also making an appearance at night, so be careful on those late-night walks in-game.
Rescue Service
Another app in the NookPhone will allow you to transport to anywhere on the island in no time. This is basically a fast travel system for the game, and something that has long been desired.
Also, it seems like a very familiar voice is behind this service. I mean, it does feel a little bit like “resetting”, right?
Own Your Home
Of course we knew this was coming. Not just a tent! You will definitely be able to buy your own house and upgrade it after you pay off the getaway package and make the island your permanent residence. You can also customize your home in lovely ways, and you can absolutely upgrade it to the mega-home you so desire.
Party Play
Up to 8 people can live on one island, but this time around, four players can play at the same time locally. Up to 4 residents of the same island can join in using a Joy Con controller, but the one who called all the residents is considered the leader and will control the camera and direction everyone is going. In shops and such, the leader can turn off control, and everyone can do their own thing to a certain degree.
Nintendo Switch Online App
Scan QR codes of designs from previous Animal Crossing games and share them via Nook Link in New Horizons. If there were any designs you were particularly proud of before, you will be happy to know you can just scan them in with no problem!
Services and Shops
As you continue life on the island, new services and more shops will begin opening up. So many familiar faces will return to provide their services like they did in previous Animal Crossing games. Speaking of familiar faces…
Isabelle!!
The cute doggie from Animal Crossing: New Leaf is back! Isn’t she just adorable??
On top of Isabelle, we are going to see tons of familiar faces from previous Animal Crossing games. I cannot wait to meet some of my favorite residents, like my boy, Hopper!
Events!
Through free updates, new events will be added to the game, and special guests will come along and help celebrate on occasion.
LADDERS!
Ladders are introduced in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to make it easier to climb ledges and get to areas more quickly. This is such a welcomed addition to the game!
Stairs and Paths
Building stairs for the island to climb certain areas makes for a more aesthetically pleasing island. On top of that, pathways look better than ever in New Horizons, as they are no longer customizable designs by the players. These are actually proper in-game items to help decorate and beautify the island.
Island Is More Customizable
This time around, we are able to lower and raise certain areas, giving our shovel more strength than ever before. We can make rivers thinner or wider, level off certain areas, and just customize and clean up the island however we want. This is exciting!
Amiibo Support
The game does support all Animal Crossing amiibo and amiibo cards that originally released for New Leaf. Scanning these amiibo will call those residents onto your island for interaction. Not all amiibo will be supported from the start, but updates will allow more later.
Photopia
A super-cute photo opportunity for you and your friends to partake in. Help your favorite residents to pose in fun ways to take awesome pictures to help remember these wonderful moments forever.
Does Not Support Cloud Service
Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not support Nintendo Online’s cloud service, which is unfortunate. However, they are claiming to have a service to support those who have a defective or lost console. Still, this is a bummer. A game like Animal Crossing: New Horizons would benefit from the Cloud Service the most. This just seems weird to me.
Free Updates
After the game launches, it will be continually supported through free updates. First update is on launch day, March 20th, 2020, and it will provide data for events in April. There will also be connections to the mobile app, Pocket Camp. Stay tuned for more information in regards to how these two games will interact with each other.
That Was Your Direct
What did you think? Did this Direct for Animal Crossing: New Horizons get you more excited for the game? Let us know in the comments below what you thought!
Thank you for stopping by SwitchWatch.co.uk for all of your Switch-related news, reviews, and features. Please stay tuned here for all the latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons news and information! Happy gaming, everyone.
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