My friend got Animal Crossing: New Leaf for their birthday this year and I ended up getting back into it much more than I expected. Sure, I played it every now and then, but will school and work and other video games it was hard to keep caring for my little town. I restarted it a few months ago and now that the character is me again, I can't seem to put it down. I ended up asking myself and others why they were still so into this game.

1. The Process Is Relaxing

The Animal Crossing games are extremely relaxing and New Leaf seemed to kick it down even further. There's nice music, calming sounds, and you just go about your daily virtual life in a little town you call your own. If you need a break from that, you can take a little vacation on a tropical island and play games to your heart's content.

2. You Want To Watch Your Little Town Develop

In New Leaf, you play as the accidental mayor of the town of your choosing. You get to decide what gets built and set town ordinances for your villagers to follow. You have almost complete control but in a way that doesn't make you power-hungry. You can even work toward getting a Perfect Town, which is no easy feat. It's just an enjoyment to sit back and think about how all of the good things in your town are because of you.

3. The Villagers Are Cute

I've never heard anyone say that the villagers in Animal Crossing weren't cute, and New Leaf made them even cuter with the updated style and graphics. They still hold up almost 5 years later, which is normally unheard of for a game. The villagers also do whatever they can to be your friend and will give you gifts that they think you would like, even if they're way off the mark. And, unlike people in real life, they don't complain when they see the chair they gave you at Re-Tail.

4. There Is No Ending

This is true for all Animal Crossing games. I had a village on my GameCube for almost 11 years before I restarted. This keeps people playing because, unlike games with endings, you can't just be done and have nothing else to do. Last year there was even free DLC added for those who were still playing.

5. Isabelle Is Always Waiting For You

Isabelle is your loyal secretary that deals with everything you do. She also takes care of the town while you're away. This little dog makes you feel emotional when you do something that makes her upset. When I had went to restart my game, she got really upset and her telling me that everyone would be gone made me almost cry. Isabelle seems to really care about you even though she's just a video game character that's programed for it. She'll alway's be your secretary, even if you never pick up the game again.