New Horizons offers an engaging and relaxing experience for new players, allowing you to create, explore, and customize your own island paradise.
As a first-time player, getting started can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can quickly grasp the basics and start enjoying all the game has to offer.
From setting up your island to meeting quirky villagers and participating in seasonal events, there’s a wealth of activities to dive into.
This guide will walk you through essential tips, tricks, and strategies to help you make the most of your time in the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Let’s get started on building your dream island today!
Getting to Know the Game
Before diving into the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it’s essential to understand what makes this game unique.
Unlike other video games, Animal Crossing doesn’t have a fixed objective or end goal.
Instead, it’s about enjoying the process—growing your island, meeting new characters, and personalizing your world at your own pace.
It’s the perfect game for players who enjoy creativity, exploration, and relaxing gameplay.
The game is set on a deserted island, which you can develop into a beautiful paradise. There’s no rush, so take your time to enjoy each moment.
From fishing and bug catching to designing your dream home, Animal Crossing offers countless activities for players to explore.
Starting Your Island Adventure
The first step in the game is choosing your island. When you start Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you’ll be introduced to Tom Nook, the beloved raccoon character who sets you up on your new island.
He’ll guide you through the basics of island life, including how to pick a plot for your house and begin gathering resources.
You’ll start with a small tent, but as you progress, you’ll be able to upgrade it into a large, fully customized house.
While the game doesn’t pressure you to do anything too quickly, your initial decisions about island layout and house placement will have a significant impact on the future of your village.
Important Tips for Starting:
- Choosing Your Island Layout: Your island will have a unique layout. When selecting where to place your tent, keep in mind that the terrain and surroundings will affect your future plans for decorating.
- Resource Gathering: As soon as you arrive, start gathering basic resources like wood, stones, and fruit. These are essential for crafting tools and making early progress.
Table: Starting Essentials Checklist
| Item/Activity | Purpose | Tips for Success |
|---|---|---|
| Tent Placement | Choose a good location for your home | Consider future expansions and space |
| Gathering Resources | Collect wood, stones, and fruit | Use tools to gather efficiently |
| Meeting Villagers | Get to know your neighbors | Interact with villagers for rewards |
| Customize your Home | Upgrade your tent to a house | Invest in upgrades as you progress |
| Collecting Crafting Materials | Needed for creating tools and furniture | Explore daily to find new resources |
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Meeting Your Villagers
One of the most charming aspects of Animal Crossing is the community of anthropomorphic animal villagers.
As you start your adventure, you’ll meet the first few villagers who will move to your island.
These friendly critters will interact with you, offer tips, and help you feel at home. It’s not unusual to develop close bonds with your villagers, especially as they share their stories and give you gifts.
As you build more infrastructure and invite more villagers to live on your island, you’ll expand your little community.
Each animal has a unique personality type, which influences how they interact with you. Some may be shy, while others might be outgoing or even a bit quirky.
Pro Tip:
- Create an Ideal Villager Community: As your island grows, you can attract specific villagers based on their personality traits, interests, and aesthetic. Be patient, as it can take some time to get the perfect villagers for your island.
Designing Your Island
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Animal Crossing is the ability to design your island.
You can rearrange buildings, place furniture outdoors, and even create themed areas on your island.
There are no limits to what you can create, which is one of the main draws for many players.
The in-game terraforming tool unlocks once you’ve progressed far enough, giving you the ability to shape the land—build rivers, cliffs, and beaches as you see fit.
The possibilities for your island’s design are endless, and with regular updates from Nintendo, you’ll always have new options for customization.
Key Tips for Designing Your Island:
- Plan Your Layout: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of building, but it’s wise to plan ahead. Think about where you want certain features like gardens, plazas, or a fishing spot.
- Use Paths and Fences: To create structure and organization, use paths and fences to separate areas of your island.
Building and Upgrading Structures
In the early stages of the game, your focus will be on building basic structures and upgrading your tent.
As you progress, you’ll unlock more building options, such as bridges, inclines, and shops.
Tom Nook, along with his assistants, Timmy and Tommy, will offer you various services to help you grow your island.
You can also start taking part in daily tasks like running errands for villagers and collecting items to sell.
Building Options:
- Resident Services: This building offers a variety of services, including a shop where you can purchase furniture, tools, and more.
- Nook’s Cranny: A shop run by Timmy and Tommy that sells everyday items.
- Nook Miles: These are points you earn by completing various tasks, which can be spent on exclusive items.
Pro Tip:
- Upgrade Nook’s Cranny: As soon as possible, focus on upgrading your shop. It gives you more items to choose from, making the early-game experience more enjoyable.
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Fishing, Bug Catching, and Fossil Hunting
In addition to decorating your island, Animal Crossing offers a wide range of activities, such as fishing, bug catching, and fossil hunting.
These activities are crucial for completing you’re in-game museum and collecting unique items.
The game features a dynamic ecosystem, so the creatures available to catch change depending on the time of year, the weather, and the time of day. This adds a fun layer of discovery and collection.
Tips for Collecting:
- Fishing: Use your fishing rod to catch different species of fish. Be mindful of the time of day and the location you fish in.
- Bug Catching: Bugs are found in different areas of the island, such as flowers and trees. Some bugs are rare, so keep an eye out.
- Fossil Hunting: Digging up fossils can be a rewarding activity, as they can be donated to the museum or sold for profit.
Crafting and Collecting
Crafting is a core mechanic in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, allowing you to make everything from furniture to tools.
You’ll gather materials like wood, iron, and clay and use DIY recipes to craft various items.
You can also participate in seasonal events where special crafting recipes become available. These limited-time recipes often come with unique rewards, so don’t miss out!
Key Crafting Materials:
- Wood: Collected by shaking trees or hitting them with an axe.
- Iron Nuggets: Often gathered from rocks.
- Clay: Can be collected from rocks as well.
Seasonal Events and Special Villagers
Throughout the year, Animal Crossing celebrates a variety of seasonal events. These events often come with limited-time items, DIY recipes, and special villagers.
For example, during the winter season, you’ll experience the Toy Day event, and during the summer, you can participate in the Bug-Off.
These events offer a chance to collect special items, and it’s a good idea to log in regularly to see what’s happening on your island.
Advanced Tips for New Players
Once you’ve become comfortable with the basics, it’s time to step up your game. Here are a few advanced tips to help you get the most out of your Animal Crossing experience:
- Optimize Your Nook Miles: Complete Nook Miles challenges for a steady stream of rewards. These can help you purchase items and services to expand your island.
- Time Travel: While this is a controversial topic, some players use the “time travel” feature to speed up events and seasons.
- Trade with Friends: Don’t hesitate to trade items with friends to fill in your collections faster.
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Conclusion
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers an incredibly rewarding and relaxing experience for players of all ages.
Whether you’re new to the game or returning after a break, there’s always something new to discover.
By following these tips and using the knowledge in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to building your dream island and enjoying everything this beautiful game has to offer.
