Familiarity is a special quality that most of us require, inside and outside of gaming. Familiarity is what makes franchises, multiplayer sessions, gold farming, song practice, speed runs and any number of events in gaming not only enjoyable, but inviting. Animal Crossing relies on this simple nature, packaging the everyday events into something very warm and relaxing in its constant nature. Animal Crossing: City Folk sets up house on the Wii, with some very simple wares for sale and unapologetically calm in design.

Animal Crossing has always been a virtual stressball for me. All games are built around an escapist attitude, so when taking time out of your life to play a game about life, you have to enjoy the irony. The concept is not too alienating or bizarre, however, as the Sims series has preached to the rest of us, so good news for Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing is a bit more simple-minded in execution, as you only have to worry about your single avatar instead of a family, and the house you claim will pay for itself in time, or not at all, depending on how apathetic you tend to be. The game’s about living, so you live. No right or wrong way really.

You live everyday life by first logging in and then setting out about town to do any number of chores. Not to say that the activities boil down to indentured servitude (at least not for long), but you will have to seek temporary employment from the cold slumlord known as Nook. He will employ you to help build his empire by erecting staunch pillars of shady business and bribes as you march inexorably to the end of your miserable symbiotic relationship. Then you can fish!

After said aquatic hunting, you can partake in fashion design with clothing, interior design, gardening and deliveryman for your friendly neighborhood animal friends. You can shuttle off to the city to visit some high-class emporiums, see a show or get a total makeover. I know this sounds like some kind of Disney abomination you wouldn’t give a second glance, but the way Animal Crossing does it, well, is non-excessive and tame. Making your clothes the style you prefer or pimping out the house you own, it’s to your own pace and delight. Building your own little niche is not only surprisingly entertaining, but it’s also very tempered. The reliability for the game to cheer you up or help you wind down for the day is the game’s best policy, and it never fails to deliver to those seeking refuge from the cold, war-hardened environment gaming turned into.

Whether it’s trying to amass a fortune as a fruit philanthropist or trying to establish my own doctorate in awesome by building my very own museum from any indigenous wildlife I may come across, the growing process for Animal City is unique and something I love returning to every day. When a game allows me to place the Master Sword, Mario Kart regalia and a number of creatures who may conspire for world domination with a series of clicks directly into my house ... I’m a happy homeowner. The game becomes even better when you can share it with a friend and show some appreciation when sending them lewd postcards, trying to ruin their day by planting holes around their house or making sure they can never make a living by sabotaging the town’s store, it really is a game that lends itself to friendly social exchange.

The game is basic, from the cute graphics to the catchy sounds to the rather easy tasks you will see to during a course of one day, the game’s talent lies in longevity. You will care for your town and character after no time at all, and taking a half hour or an hour each day to see the town prosper is strangely satisfying when all is said and done. I usually have a laundry list of complaints for the titles that come the way of Wii, but I think Animal Crossing: City Folk encompasses the defined spirit of what the Wii was meant for in its conception, without being a wasted watered-down experience, and I think the game succeeds on a very personally endearing level because of this. The game provides a grab bag of enjoyment, with no (ringing) bells or whistles attached. Try it out if you want to live another life, albeit a quiet one, and enjoy yourself.