Is It Worth Starting Over in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? A Comprehensive Guide
Deciding whether to restart your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a significant choice for any dedicated player. The simple answer? It depends entirely on your personal goals and what you’re looking to get out of the game. While the thought of losing all your progress, meticulously curated collections, and hard-earned bells might seem daunting, restarting can offer a fresh perspective and breathe new life into your gameplay. It’s essentially a complete reset, wiping the slate clean to allow you to experience the game anew. So, is it worth it? Let’s delve into the pros and cons, and explore why this option appeals to so many.
The Allure of a Fresh Start
For many, the initial charm of Animal Crossing: New Horizons lies in its endless possibilities for design and customization. However, as time passes, some players might find themselves wanting a different island layout, a new resident selection, or simply a chance to relive the early game’s slower pace. Here are some compelling reasons to consider restarting:
New Island Layout and Starting Villagers
One of the biggest draws of restarting is the opportunity to land on a new island map. You’re not stuck with the original river, mountain, and building placements from your first playthrough. This allows you to experiment with terraforming and landscape design in new ways. Along with a new island layout, you’ll also get a different set of starter villagers. If you didn’t initially love your starting neighbors, restarting gives you a chance to welcome new faces to your island.
Re-experiencing Early Game Magic
The early days of Animal Crossing are often filled with a unique kind of magic. Discovering new critters, gradually building your home, and unlocking new features like the Nook’s Cranny upgrade or the Able Sisters shop provides a sense of achievement. Restarting lets you recapture that initial feeling of progression and excitement.
A Blank Canvas for Creativity
Have you developed a specific vision for your island that is difficult to achieve with your current layout? Starting over gives you a completely blank canvas, allowing you to execute your design ideas from the ground up without any pre-existing limitations. You can re-plan your island in a completely different style than the previous one.
Escaping Burnout
Longtime players might experience a sense of burnout with their current island. Restarting can be the perfect way to reignite your passion for the game. The change of pace and the fresh challenges can be invigorating and provide a new experience in a familiar environment.
The Potential Drawbacks
However, restarting your Animal Crossing island isn’t without its downsides. It’s important to weigh the potential losses against the gains:
Loss of Progress and Items
The most significant drawback of restarting is the loss of all your progress. This includes your home, collections, museum progress, crafted items, obtained recipes, custom designs, bells, and all the effort spent to build up your island to its current state. You’ll revert to a basic tent and an empty island, beginning your progression anew.
The Time Commitment
Building up your island takes time, and restarting means dedicating many more hours to tasks you may have already completed. This might not be ideal for players who prefer to spend their time on different activities in the game or who have other games to play.
Emotional Attachments
Many players form emotional bonds with their villagers, making it incredibly difficult to leave them behind. Restarting means saying goodbye to your favorite residents and starting over with new personalities.
Making the Decision
Ultimately, whether or not restarting is worth it is a very personal decision. If you find that you are no longer enjoying your island, or that you are feeling trapped by the decisions you’ve made, it might be exactly what you need to re-engage with the game. Conversely, if you are satisfied with your island’s current state and only desire a few minor alterations, you might find that some judicious terraforming and decorating can accomplish your goals without the need for a complete reset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about restarting your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island:
1. What exactly happens when I restart my Animal Crossing island?
When you restart, you’ll lose all progress. This includes your island layout, resident data, buildings, items, bells, clothing, museum collection, and your custom designs. You will begin the game with the intro sequences and start in a tent once again.
2. Can I have multiple islands on one Nintendo Switch?
No, you can only have one island per Nintendo Switch system, even if you have multiple game cartridges or digital downloads. If you want a second island, you must have a second Nintendo Switch.
3. Will I lose my online progress when I restart?
Yes, all your progress, including items in storage and online achievements, will be lost on your current island. You will have to start over completely if you choose to reset.
4. Can I transfer items to another island before restarting?
You can’t transfer items between islands on the same console. However, you can ask a friend to temporarily hold your items on their island before you reset. Once you’ve started your new island, you can travel to their island and retrieve your possessions.
5. Will I lose my Nintendo Account if I delete my save data?
No, deleting your save data will not affect your Nintendo Account. You will simply start the game from the beginning.
6. How do I reset my island?
To reset your island, you’ll need to go to System Settings, then Data Management, then Delete Save Data. Be careful, because there’s no going back from this action once you’ve chosen to clear your save data.
7. Can I choose my island layout when I restart?
No, you can’t choose your island layout. However, you can reset the game before the first save occurs. If you don’t like the random island layout, starter villagers, or native fruit you’ve been given, you can force the game to restart before you actually complete the first day tutorial. Once the first save happens, though, that island map is locked in.
8. Is it possible to keep my favorite villagers when restarting?
No, you cannot keep your favorite villagers. You will start over with two new random starter villagers. You can, however, invite your favorite villagers back to your new island through various methods.
9. What about my flowers? Can I save them?
You can ask a friend to keep your flowers for you before you restart, or you can plant them on the beach; however, beach-planted flowers will not grow or propagate.
10. What are the benefits of a new island layout?
A new island layout offers a fresh challenge for terraforming and design. A new layout may also offer a better overall aesthetic for your planned design ideas.
11. How do I avoid burning out in Animal Crossing?
To avoid burnout, try setting small, achievable goals for yourself, take breaks, and experiment with different areas of the game, instead of focusing on a single aspect.
12. Is it too late to start ACNH now?
It is never too late to start ACNH! The game is still active, with a large community and the availability to unlock all events. You will only miss out on event-specific items from previous years, but most of these will likely be available again when the event comes around again.
13. Will I regret restarting my island?
Some players do regret restarting, while others enjoy the fresh start. It depends on your personal preferences and what you’re hoping to achieve with your gameplay.
14. Can villagers visit my home on a new island?
Yes, villagers can still visit your home on a new island. You will need to be inside your house when they visit.
15. Does Animal Crossing have an end goal?
While there isn’t a specific ending to Animal Crossing, the main goals are to build up your island, create a thriving community, and eventually reach a 5-star island rating. But many consider the game never-ending and can be played indefinitely.
Conclusion
Starting over in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a big step that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While it involves losing progress, it also provides an opportunity to re-experience the game with a fresh perspective. If you’re feeling stagnant with your current island, or if you’re simply seeking a new creative challenge, restarting might be worth considering. Carefully weigh the pros and cons, and choose the path that will ultimately bring you the most joy in your Animal Crossing adventure.