Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Review

It’s been nine days since it launched and if you have a phone, social media or enjoy convenient cute pixels SURELY you have heard of  Animal Crossing – Pocket Camp, the fourth installment of Animal Crossing by Nintendo? If you haven’t that’s ok because I hadn’t until my twitter feed got #AnimalCrossingPocketCamp flooded that day prompting me to make my first ever Nintendo account and install it via my iPhone as this is the first Animal Crossing to make its debut on iOS and Android. This is our Animal Crossing Pocket Camp review.

CROSSING INTO POCKET CAMP

Expecting a ton of clicking with easy mechanics for all ages nothing surprised me upon opening the game but what became clear faster than I expected was that there is a little more to this social simulation game that ticked all the boxes of what really appeals to me in any game like:

• Customized Characterization
• Crafting
• Building/decorating
• Collection
• Fashion
• Social & social media connection

So there I was eagerly sharing my ID on Twitter, collecting friends to give kudos and hopefully enter the Shovelstrike Quarry where I oddly feel like we should get more yet we don’t so I hope friends aren’t too bothered I keep pestering them to lend a hand anyway!

SEVEN DAYS LATER

In one week I have managed the following achievements with 44 friends, no money spent and 2-3 hours throughout the day:

• Level 22
• Level 10 Filbert
• Level 3 tent x 3
• Level 2 picnic area
• Camper expansion
• Camper extra level
• Camper paint job
• So much wardrobe

My priority was picking a theme choosing “nature” primarily, followed by “cool.” An overall theme happened next when I discovered I could decorate the inside of my camper so the “Kiwi fashion emporium” is coming along nicely as I also focus wardrobe, collecting everything I can that is not pink or overly boyish. The rest is just a “click-as-I-see-it” adventure. 

A KIWI BIRDS EYE VIEW

It helps to know in the beginning that you receive what animals are wearing at level 7 and if you are after certain furniture it also pays to consider if animals reward wood, cotton or steel to choose what animals you want to level. My favorite animal so far is Beau, with those big doe eyes and I am one quest away from getting his adorable sweater though I have a dilemma! I just met Flip the cutest monkey ever but he is sports theme and I am not sure I’m ready to go over to the sports side yet. I also accidentally dismissed Tex from my camp but want him to come back but it looks like I can’t re-invite him. This is the kind of thought process involved playing AC-PC (Animal Crossing – Pocket Camp) in between collecting fruit or sea shells every 3 hours, keeping an eye on the Marketplace changes 4 times a day at 12 am, 6 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm. Then trying to get every animal into your camp to level them as this seems the best way due to the fact three random animals in your camp receive a quest every hour.

That’s perhaps what I like most about this mobile game. I don’t feel like I have to be continuously logged in for my decisions to thrive, I can plan ahead a little if I want to or log whenever it suits knowing something has changed and I can get involved. I’ve made a ton of furniture mistakes selling it all to buy clothes not realizing I actually need the crafted piece in my inventory when I invite an animal to my camp. Thought I had made another mistake making 3 tents but without them, you can’t level any animals beyond 7. I’m sure there’s more.

What I feel is lacking though is the kudos system would be more compatible if it had actual influence beyond the occasional quest. I’d really like to reward those who give me kudos often. A visible kudos counter on your friends list would help make decisions and it would also be handy if those who need you to lend a hand could be shuffled to the top of your friends list. The opportunity to sell furniture you no longer want for gold via your market stall but if you sell it via the UI so you get all the materials back and no gold, would also be amazing! Decor-wise I would love to be able to place amenities in the forefront of our campgrounds if we wish. There are a few more ideas floating but for now I’d also relish seeing camper decor having some influence or if you give kudos to someone via their camper in the world this gives an extra reward encouraging people to take a moment when they are out and about to see who is there, like social simulation should be.

AC-PC can be enjoyed without spending a cent and you don’t have to have hundreds of friends (I believe the friends list cap is 200) with the added bonus of being able to make friends in the game. The maximum level for animals is unclear right now but maximum level for characters is 60 with extra levels available thereafter when you release an animal from your camp. If animal level cap is high something seriously cute would have to be available to achieve this like maybe being able to have a legit food truck! Imagine, a Kiwi taco ice-cream fashion emporium!

Final Note: HOLIDAY SEASON BEGINS!

Log in to Animal Crossing Pocket Camp today and take part in the new Holiday Season event quests to either collect candy canes to craft furniture or unlock special holiday clothing.

Everyone will have a Santa’s hat waiting for them in their mail & this event runs until 12/25/2017 at 11.59pm!

By the way, if you noticed with the kudos pictures I got my Beau sweater and now I am on a mission to collect more cotton to build that last tent so I can get Flip in my camping ground. Filbert who is level 10 also just gave me a bonus item to craft (a space shuttle) so it pays to talk to animals in your camp as often as possible. How do you do Animal Crossing Pocket Camp? Do you have a favorite animal brosephine? Any tips for readers or notice anything cool salt lick? Go ahead and share your ID below if you want to and happy animal puns and all the collecting fun to you!