The pandemic may be over, but one thing remains - our beloved virtual escapes. For many of us, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a sanctuary during those dark times. The latest update has breathed new life into the game, and I'm thrilled to report that it's better than ever.
Stepping back onto my island, now aptly named Alba, I'm greeted by familiar sights and sounds. My avatar, Alba, looks a bit worse for wear after four years of inactivity, but she's still as charming as ever. As I settle into my home, I notice that everything is still intact - the paths lead to the shop, tailor, museum, and even Blathers' owlery, where Brewster awaits our next museum cafe visit.
A tour around the island reveals a plethora of memories, including a half-finished bamboo zen garden on the highest cliffs. It's amazing how much I'd forgotten about my time in Alba - the playground near the beach, which was often my haven for young children back in 2020. The island flag and tune still hold a special place in my heart.
But what truly surprised me was discovering that I had accumulated over 2 million bells, enough to pay off my home loan once and for all. No longer under Tom Nook's financial thumb, I feel a sense of liberation and accomplishment.
The new update has also introduced several exciting features, including the ability to decorate entire Slumber Islands with friends while they sleep. This is a great addition for those with more time on their hands. Moreover, the farming and food recipes have been added, which adds a whole new layer of depth to the game.
What struck me most about this update was how seamlessly it blends new features with existing gameplay mechanics. It's clear that Nintendo has listened to player feedback and incorporated them into the game.
One thing is certain - Animal Crossing: New Horizons is still a haven for those seeking solace in virtual worlds. Its soothing atmosphere and creative outlets have been proven time and again during these trying times.
If you're looking for something new to indulge in, I'd recommend checking out Dispatch, a narrative-driven game that's equal parts humorous and heartwarming. Another great option is Mirror's Edge, an indie parkour game with a rich history, which has recently been explored by the website Design Room.
For those eagerly awaiting new games in 2026, keep your eyes peeled for the remake of Fatal Frame 2 and the sequel to TOEM. And let's not forget about Resident Evil 9 - will it finally be the year we see the long-awaited Half-Life 3?
As always, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
**What to play:**
- Dispatch (PS5, PC; Nintendo Switch/2 versions coming January 28)
- Mirror's Edge (A beginner's guide available on the Guardian Games website)
**What to read:**
- Amazon MGM Studios releases first image of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider TV series
- New 'beginner's guide' to Arc Raiders now available
**Question Block:**
We've got a few questions from readers this week:
- Fatal Frame remake coming in March
- TOEM 2 and The Mermaid Mask are also part of the upcoming lineup
Stepping back onto my island, now aptly named Alba, I'm greeted by familiar sights and sounds. My avatar, Alba, looks a bit worse for wear after four years of inactivity, but she's still as charming as ever. As I settle into my home, I notice that everything is still intact - the paths lead to the shop, tailor, museum, and even Blathers' owlery, where Brewster awaits our next museum cafe visit.
A tour around the island reveals a plethora of memories, including a half-finished bamboo zen garden on the highest cliffs. It's amazing how much I'd forgotten about my time in Alba - the playground near the beach, which was often my haven for young children back in 2020. The island flag and tune still hold a special place in my heart.
But what truly surprised me was discovering that I had accumulated over 2 million bells, enough to pay off my home loan once and for all. No longer under Tom Nook's financial thumb, I feel a sense of liberation and accomplishment.
The new update has also introduced several exciting features, including the ability to decorate entire Slumber Islands with friends while they sleep. This is a great addition for those with more time on their hands. Moreover, the farming and food recipes have been added, which adds a whole new layer of depth to the game.
What struck me most about this update was how seamlessly it blends new features with existing gameplay mechanics. It's clear that Nintendo has listened to player feedback and incorporated them into the game.
One thing is certain - Animal Crossing: New Horizons is still a haven for those seeking solace in virtual worlds. Its soothing atmosphere and creative outlets have been proven time and again during these trying times.
If you're looking for something new to indulge in, I'd recommend checking out Dispatch, a narrative-driven game that's equal parts humorous and heartwarming. Another great option is Mirror's Edge, an indie parkour game with a rich history, which has recently been explored by the website Design Room.
For those eagerly awaiting new games in 2026, keep your eyes peeled for the remake of Fatal Frame 2 and the sequel to TOEM. And let's not forget about Resident Evil 9 - will it finally be the year we see the long-awaited Half-Life 3?
As always, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
**What to play:**
- Dispatch (PS5, PC; Nintendo Switch/2 versions coming January 28)
- Mirror's Edge (A beginner's guide available on the Guardian Games website)
**What to read:**
- Amazon MGM Studios releases first image of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider TV series
- New 'beginner's guide' to Arc Raiders now available
**Question Block:**
We've got a few questions from readers this week:
- Fatal Frame remake coming in March
- TOEM 2 and The Mermaid Mask are also part of the upcoming lineup
I was low-key hoping they'd fix that pesky fishing system, but honestly, it's been a game-changer having all my bells at my disposal 
. The new farming and food recipes are such a great addition - who knew I had a green thumb? 
And decorating Slumber Islands with friends is like the ultimate chill activity... gotta get some of those! 
.
.
animal crossing new horizons just got updated & its like nothing changed lol jk didnt notice at first but now ive checked & yeah everything still intact btw 2 million bells is a lil crazy i think nintendo has good ears tho, new features fit right in with the game 
It's amazing to see how they've incorporated new features without messing up the existing gameplay. I mean, who wouldn't want to decorate entire Slumber Islands with friends while we sleep? 
That's just genius! And adding farming and food recipes takes the game to a whole new level. Now, if only they'd release some new characters... 
The farming and food recipes are a great addition too - it's amazing how much depth can be added to a game when you let players focus on building something other than just a digital house. And I love that Nintendo is listening to player feedback and incorporating it into the game, it shows they value their community 
.
just one thing, that 2 million bells is wild 
.
it's so surreal how much nostalgia is flooding back. 2 million bells though?! game changer 
i'm def gonna check out dispatch and mirror's edge tho, sounds like a great combo 
). The new farming feature is so cool! It's like we're actually gardening now 
. And the Slumber Islands with friends thing? Genius! My kid can finally have some real friends to play with online, even if it's just in their PJs 
i mean what's not to love about a narrative-driven game with humor and heartwarming vibes 
. but seriously, who's excited for half life 3? 
still no word from valve on that one, fingers crossed it'll finally happen in 2026 
. Remakes like Fatal Frame 2 and the sequel to TOEM sound amazing, but what really gets me is the possibility of Half-Life 3 
.
.
. What are your thoughts on these upcoming releases? Are you hyped for any of them? Let me know in the comments 
So like, did you see those stats on Animal Crossing: New Horizons gameplay time? 
.
. Also, the top 3 most played activities? Fishing, bug catching, and decorating homes! Who knew those were the hidden gems in AC:NH? 
.
. Animal Crossing: New Horizons might be fun for some, but it's just another form of escapism that's keeping us from dealing with our real-life problems 
. And don't even get me started on the whole " accumulating 2 million bells" thing - what's really going to pay off in life?