Animal Crossing: New Horizons saw release last week to rather fortuitous timing as a ray of relief amidst such an anxious world. And with most of the world in lock-down at present, many are enjoying a deserved deep dive into this adorable escape from reality. As a game that plays out in real time, it asks us to slow down, relax, and admire the smaller details in life. Also as such, my review of this game will assuredly take a while yet to come. But in the meantime, here are some tips and tricks from my first week of play that may help new island dwellers and Animal Crossing veterans alike.
Don't Sweat Decisions
There are many seemingly big decisions to be made in this game: From choosing the lay of your land to determining where you and your neighbors are to set up shop. With so many factors to consider, it may feel overwhelming. But fret not, as you'll have many means later in the game to adjust things as you desire. You'll be able to move buildings, reshape rivers and dig through cliffs and so much more. Just relax and know that in time, you'll be able to craft the perfect island you dream of.
Getting Started
Tom Nook not only acts as your once tyrannical landlord (though such still holds true), but now also serves as a helpful counselor per the Residential Services on your island. Many long-time Animal Crossing fans may think to themselves, "Why do I need to ask that cheap raccoon what to do? I know how to play this game." But doing so would be a mistake as Tom Nook holds the key to progressing through the prologue of the game. He'll first ask for fish and bugs, which will trigger an invite of Blathers to the island, and there's more to follow each day as your island slowly begins to fill up. So make sure to check in with your mighty overlord that is the one and only Nook.
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| Tom Nook, the raccoon with all the connections. |
Maneuvering Menus and Miles
Next, you might want to know a few tricks as to more easily manage some of the menus and likes in this game. For instance when in your inventory, you can sort items by pressing and holding the A-button on the item you wish to move. Or when viewing your Nook Miles, you can jump straight to completed miles by using the right stick. Nifty!
Speaking of Nook Miles, I heartily recommend eyeing the following three rewards as your first purchases with those miles: Pretty Good Tools Recipes (for better tools that will break less often), Pocket Organization Guide (for more inventory space), and the Tool Ring (for quicker tool access). Until you should unlock the Tool Ring though, know that you can pull out and cycle through tools still with the left and right arrow buttons on your controller.
Tools of the Trade
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| The handy tool ring makes selecting tools quick and breezy. |
Your first day on the island, you'll notice that much of the island remains inaccessible to you due to rivers and cliffs. And where's the shovel to dig up all these dig spots? All good things in time. Once Blathers gets to your island, he'll set you up with shovel and pole vault DIY recipes, the latter tool your means for bounding across rivers. And later per this lengthy prologue, Tom Nook will offer you a ladder DIY recipe, used to climb cliffs. Certain tools will also be made available in the shop, the selection of which cycles each day. Though if you really hate waiting, you could also have some friends help hook ya up once the airport opens on your second day.
Resource Management
If having to repair your own tools on a frequent basis isn't enough to make your respect resource gathering, one of your first big construction projects on the island will make you acutely aware of this value that is having resources on hand. So if you want to maximize your island's natural producing resources, take note: Each rock can be hit once a day, producing up to 8 minerals. Same for trees, 3 chops once a day for 3 woods. If you prefer not to destroy these rocks and trees, I recommend any shovel for rocks and a stone axe for trees. Now harvesting every tree on your island may be a bit extreme and unnecessary, but I certainly recommend hitting every rock each day as those resources are more scarce and valuable. Also, there is one rock a day that will produce money instead, which if hit perfectly will net you 16,000 Bells! Lastly, if you're looking for sticks, just shake the trees. That said...
Bee Prepared
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| That's gotta sting! |
Shaking trees or even hitting trees with your axe always carries the risk of a beehive waiting to fall, and with it a swarm of angry wasps waiting to attack. But did you know you can shake trees with your net in hand? If you do so, and I recommend shaking the tree in the front right or left corner, your character will be primed and ready to swing their net the moment the hive falls and catch those pesky wasps like nobody's business. That said, if you do happen to get stung, give your neighbors a chat and they'll teach you a handy DIY recipe for medicine to patch that right up.
Side tip for the bug catching net - Hold A to ready your net and stealthily approach your targets; Very helpful for snagging other types of bugs.
How to Rock
Earlier I mentioned you can produce up to 8 minerals from hitting rocks. The veterans here likely know how, but for those newcomers wondering how, allow me to share this tried and true trick: Holes. Using your shovel, dig two holes in a corner of the 3x3 grid that surrounds the rock. You can then use those holes as your buffer when hitting the rock so you don't get bounced back, allowing you to continue quickly strike away at that rock. Getting that 8th strike in when hitting that money rock makes all the difference from earning 16,000 Bells versus only 8,000 Bells for 7 hits.
Fishing Like a Pro
Tired of missing your catch and watching them swim away? Here are some helpful tips to improve your fishing game:
- Every fish will bite down within 1-5 nibbles. So if the fish nibbles 4 times without biting, expect the next hit to be a bite guarenteed.
- Don't let the rain keep you inside; Rarer fish actually have better odds of being caught when it's raining, storming or snowing outside!
- There are certain fish that can only be caught in certain locations. This includes oceans, rivers, ponds, cliffs, river outlets and even piers.
- Notice those little water spouts in the sand? Dig them up and you'll find manila clams which can be crafted into fish bait. I recommend stockpiling this bait until a rainy day and head to the pier for a high profit fishing excursion.
Can You Dig It?
Next some helpful tips for your shovel - There are four fossils to be found buried on your island each day. And one shiny spot containing 1,000 Bells, which if you bury right back will sprout into a money tree tripling your investment a few days later. Lastly, if you'd like to preserve use of your shovel longer, don't use your shovel to fill in holes you dig. Instead, press Y to use your character's feet to fill in the holes.
Sound Track
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| Behold your town hall, marking your island as an officially bustling community. |
Some Animal Crossing veterans may be wondering what happened to the variety of music that used to change and play hourly, as it appears to be the same theme on loop 24-7 your starting days on the island. As it turns out, this is all considered a long prologue and that the prologue island theme. This lengthy prologue comes to its conclusion once the town hall has been built, which is at least a whole week if you're diligent in assisting Nook and company. Thankfully as reward, your ears will finally be treated to some new groovy hourly tunes once this is built and done to add some much needed melodic variance to your day.
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There's so much more that could be discussed here, but I'll withhold so as you can have the joys and wonders of making some of these delightful discoveries for yourself. Of course, feel free to share your own nifty tips and tricks in the comments below! Thanks. And happy island living!
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