Are you going stir crazy? Dreaming of an island getaway vacation, but think it’s impossible during this statewide shelter-in-place order? Well, think again! Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect vacation from reality, in the comfort of your own home.

New Horizons is the fifth addition of Nintendo’s beloved Animal Crossing franchise, and boy, has it come a long way. Since its first release in 2001, it has come from questionable graphics and repetitive gameplay to an adorable game that quite literally changes with the seasons. Following tradition, the player lives in a village with the cutest animals while fishing, catching bugs and collecting shells and fossils to pay off their never-ending debt to capitalist mogul raccoon-dog, Tom Nook.

Playing in real-time

New Horizons is unique in that it runs on a 24-hour real-time clock. Whatever time it is for you in real life, that’s what time it is in the game. This comes with some pros and cons. At first, I hated it. It seemed to make the game move slower. It definitely tested my patience and lead to diminishing returns. I’m on day 15 now, and I can’t wait to wake up every day to see which new villager has moved in or what project is finally complete. It is so satisfying to see my little deserted island become a tight-knit community!

(Photo courtesy Delilah Gadd)

Of course, if you still hate it, New Horizons still allows players to “time-travel,” or simply change your system’s date to move along much quicker in the game. (Cheater.)

Because of the real-time clock, players are also able to celebrate seasons in real-time. Currently, I am working my way through the Bunny Day festivities, which consists of finding eggs everywhere. Literally everywhere. I’m going insane.

Of course, I was going insane long before the Bunny Day festivities because there are only so many times you can see the same puns for each and every fish and bug you catch. I chuckled the first few times, but after the millionth time reading “I caught a sea bass! No wait – it’s at least a C+!” it’s hard to resist pulling out your hair. Not to mention you only get 400 bells for such a huge fish?! How are you supposed to pay off your loan to Tom Nook?

Debt…but in style

The answer to that last question is ‘never.’ For every loan you pay off, Tom Nook gives you yet another loan, at an even more exponential price. What’s the point you ask? Well, for every loan you pay off, you get another expansion to your house. That’s important, so you can hold all the cute furniture and clothes you accumulate.

(Photo courtesy Delilah Gadd)

Oh, and by the way – it’s the cute furniture and clothes that make it truly impossible to pay Mr. Nook back. As you progress, you’re able to build a store and a tailor with rotating selections! And every day, I spend every bell to my name on all the cute stuff, because I might not see it again. Of course, New Horizons is the first Animal Crossing game to allow you to design your own clothes. You can even download designs from people across the world! I’m currently running around my island as Princess Zelda.

The furniture and clothes aren’t the only cute thing about this game, though. The animal villagers are precious, each and every one. SOME people are cruel and heartless and bully villagers they don’t like to move out, but once you see them light up and run over to talk to you, it’s impossible to ever be so mean. Each one has their own unique personality and catchphrase, and they love you unconditionally, which is exactly what I need while quarantined.

In short, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect vacation for those of you who can’t leave your home and are in desperate need for a reason to get up in the morning.

Written by Delilah Gadd.