Why Is Animal Crossing New Horizons So Popular?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Video games in general have witnessed an exponential rise in popularity since the coronavirus outbreak. However, the larger chunk of popularity is owned by multiplayer games. Despite that, there is one game which has been topping all charts, without being a full-fledged multiplayer game as such. That game is none other than Nintendo’s fan-favorite exclusive, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If one isn’t aware, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life-simulation game where you create your own character, and expand your island the way you want. The fact that the game’s popularity has caused a shortage of Nintendo Switch consoles itself speaks volumes about the game popularity.

One might be wondering, why is the game so popular? Before we jump into that, let’s talk about the current situation. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, people are staying at homes and playing their favorite games. However, why has the outbreak given a significant boost to Animal Crossing New Horizons and not some other multiplayer game we can play with friends? When you think about it, the outbreak has caused widespread panic, and raging in multiplayer games is the last thing you would want to do. That’s where Animal Crossing steals the show. The game is one of the most relaxing games out there, standing out in the league of popular games such as Stardew Valley. Animal Crossing New Horizons serves as one’s stress-buster and their escape from the toxicity and intensity of multiplayer games.

The moment one jumps into the game, one will be greeted with adorable animal villagers and cutesy artistic landscapes. There is no violence, adrenaline rushing clutches, or any kind of activity which makes one get on their toes. The game portrays what one would have dreamt of someday or the other, getting away from the daily humdrum of urban life and relaxing in the countryside. Daily activities include farming, fishing, collecting bells, decorating your house, and a lot more. Once items are gathered, they can be sold to pay house rents, to, the infamous Tom Nook, The Racoon. For players tired of social-distancing, they can invite over their friends to their islands as well. The outbreak did give Animal Horizons the exposure it needed, but at the same time, it made gamers realize a very important thing. Gamers get so invested thrilling boss fights, non-stop grinds to higher ranks and whatnot that they sometimes forget that games are meant to be relaxing at times. Animal Crossing rekindles the essence of those games.

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