Nintendo has seen some pretty significant success when it comes to taking their big-name franchises to the mobile realm, especially with the likes of Fire Emblem Heroes and Pokémon Go. Their latest release, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, looks like it’s going to follow in that successful trend.

The game, which is now available for free on both Android and iOS devices, puts players in control of a customizable human character in the world of animals. The player is tasked with running a campsite, which they can customize with amenities (such as tents and even a half-pipe for skating) as well as with furniture of their choosing. To have a successful campsite, the player must travel around to other areas and befriend their animal inhabitants in order to convince them to come for a stay at the camp.

In order to make friends with the different animals, the player essentially has to run errands for them, gathering items that the animal villagers specifically ask for. These items include bugs and fish that can be caught in specific areas of the map, fruit, and more. Plus, the player has to actually decorate the camp itself to the animal’s liking before they’ll want to come over – some of these guys can be extremely picky about their interior design choices.

Like most other mainstream mobile games, there is a microtransaction element present in Pocket Camp. Players have the ability to spend “Leaf Tickets” in order to speed up construction on a piece of furniture or to access different elements of the map without having to wait. Though you can get Leaf Tickets in-game by completing specific tasks, the quickest way to get more is by dropping a few real dollars. Personally, I’ve had no need to spend any actual money so far – I’m fine with waiting for construction to finish and I’ve mostly been playing the game in small bursts.

The Animal Crossing series has always been a slow, slice-of-life, relaxing experience. Pocket Camp generally captures the spirit of the games, and patience is therefore rewarded – though the Leaf Ticket system allows for the less patient to still enjoy the game.

Overall, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a fine addition to the existing lineup of Nintendo mobile titles. Though it may primarily appeal to existing fans of the franchise, its nature of being a free game may get newcomers hooked as well.

-Carrie Wood