“Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” released March 20, is the best game to play while sheltering at home. 

“Animal Crossing” is like a life simulator; the player moves into a deserted island full of adorable animal villagers. Goals of the game include paying off home loans to gain home improvement and decorating the town to gain the highest town rating possible. 

The game is perfect even for those who haven’t played past games from the franchise. There is no story players will have to catch up on to play the new game. The series began in 2001 and established many notable characteristics. The most notable being the real-time clock and calendar. The seasons change in real time, and there are plants of seasonal events to take part of. 

While focusing on goals of the game, there are many other things to do to pass the time. Players can catch fish and bugs, dig up buried fossils, and collect fruit and shells for profit. Each town comes with a museum, featuring the fish, bugs, and fossils that you get in the game. Players can also socialize with residents of their island and real-life friends. 

The best part of this game is the sense of serenity that few other games can capture. The art style, color palette, and soft music add to the game’s calm demeanor. While feeling pressured to pay off home loans and keep up with the residents, there is no ticking clock or mistakes to be made, so each player can play the game at their own pace. 

Unlike previous “Animal Crossing” games, in “New Horizons,” players can collect materials that can be used to craft items. Other new features include several ways to play with real-life friends. Players can have multiple people on their island and play online with up to seven friends. 

Overall, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is a great game to play during quarantine. It keeps the stress of living during a worldwide pandemic to a minimum with it’s calm and comforting gameplay.