ACNL is without a doubt one of the best life sim games ever made. At least in my opinion it is the best. New took everything good of the previous games and expanded on them in the right direction. From the start of the game to having hundreds of hours poured into it, its enjoyability really doesn't change. making money talking to villagers, doing mindless tasks, never felt tedious, or like a chore.

The villagers though can have very similar lines, didn't feel boring because you could build a connection with them. eventually getting their portrait was always a fun goal. building up your town, making public works projects, and building up mainstreet are some of the best parts of the game. Tortimers island was also very fun, even for how limited it was. Getting the rare bugs and fish was an easy way to get lots of cash, and going there with friends was good as well. Probably the best part of the game was a multiplayer aspect. The progression system in this game is what made it so repayable. playing the other games has their own quarks and different ways to enjoy the game, but none of them even Horizons could compare to New Leaf. Horizons changed too much and took away a lot of what made the game so repayable.