Nintendolife had an article on AC:NH being "the pandemic game" that people could escape to and have some sort of socializing (even though I don't think you can have full conversations through the game). And that brings up an interesting point that different readers touch on: AC wasn't really about socializing with other humans. It was about YOUR time with the animals.

Wild World gave us that taste of human multiplayer but didn't sacrifice the quality of what the animals said. New Leaf shifted more responsibility onto the player (and only one can be mayor per cartridge) but also increased communication. Ultimately, with all the extra fluff, the animals don't say too much. Balthers isn't anything like his name-you give him a single fossil and he says how it reminds him of when he was a young chick. That's it, no stories or tangents. I haven't talked to her in a while, but I don't think you can flirt with Celeste either like in WW.

The only one that still comes up with great quips is Cap 'n, and that will cost you a cool $1000 bells. Other than that...I don't care too much about my town. Yeah I feel compelled as my kids will mention something new but that's it. I am tempted to play City Folk to give that a go. I remember when I got a Power Ranger like outfit, I suddenly posed with another animal in the same outfit.

But the more I read about it-I want nothing to do with New Horizons.