Gameplay
Again, much like that last category, these are two VERY different experiences, but ones all areas of the gaming community are embracing. Doom Eternal is a fast-paced FPS, while Animal Crossing New Horizons is a slower-paced calming life simulator.
With Doom Eternal, you hit the ground running and it never takes it foot of the pedal. The dial is cranked to eleven and it’s full throttle from there. By pushing you in increasingly challenging combat arenas, your skills are constantly tested as the difficulty increases at a steady rate.
You’re constantly rewarded for your exploration with a variety of secrets, often hidden at the end of inventive platforming segments. Upgrades are consistently dished out to you and optional challenges incentivize you to push yourself further.
On the other side of the coin, Animal Crossing New Horizons grinds to a halt. It starts off slow and never speeds away from there. If you’re investing into Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you’re in it for the long haul.
The aim is to build the island of your dreams, forge relationships with your neighbors and pay off your staggering mortgage. While this may not seem the most exciting, it’s portrayed in addictive gameplay loops that make visiting a daily task and a perfect tool to wind down.
New tools are constantly awarded to you and a newly introduced crafting system invites the player to explore the world, find materials and craft new items. With such a consistently evolving world, it’s hard to see where Animal Crossing New Horizons will be in a few months, let alone a year.
With that being said, Animal Crossing New Horizons is the clear winner here. While Doom Eternal builds upon the fantastic gameplay provided in Doom 2016, Animal Crossing New Horizons is a play box of many toys that reward creativity and investment, and will keep you busy for a very long time.
Winner: Animal Crossing New Horizons
