Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis popular for its wholesome content and the relaxing gameplay experience it provides players. In fact, many creditAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsas the game thathelped them stay indoors and cope with the coronavirus pandemic.Still, it appears thatAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsalso attracts players who are into the darker and spooky side of things.
Shortly after the game’s release back in March, several players started to create cults and recreate famous outfitsand scenes from horror movies. Now, a user-created a village called Aika Village, which first became popular during the days ofAnimal Crossing: New Leaf, has returned toAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, allowing players who haven’t explored the original version in the new game. To the uninitiated, here is a brief history of the origins of Aika Island, its return toNew Horizons,and how players can visit this truly unique and mysterious village.
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Aika Village in New Leaf
As previously mentioned, Aika Island is a village created by the player named Garakku via the Dream Suite feature inAnimal Crossing: New Leafthat allowedplayers to create and visit other player’s townsvia a code provided by the host player. Aika Village is designed in a linear fashion so that players would experience and understand its story the way Garakku intended. Upon reaching the island, players will wake up in a dolly furniture item, which plays a key role in the overall story of Aika island.
Throughout the village, players will be able to explore houses that are all designed in unique ways. Of course, these houses tell the story of what transpired on the island via the arrangement of furniture and items with each representing a chapter in Aika Village’s story. While exploring the town, players will encounter Aika herself, who is wearing a red hat and clothes. Now,the exact story of Aika Islandwas designed to be interpreted by the player. However, several players and even those who claim to know the creator have told the story of Aika Island in forums, creepypasta, and videos posted on YouTube. While there are variations in the story, here is the most popular interpretation of Aika Island.
NOTE: This particular story of Aika Island comes from a creepypasta, and as such, some readers may find thecontent matter disturbing. Please turn back now if this may bother you
The Origins of Aika Island
The island’s story revolves around a young girl named Aika, who lives with her parents. Unfortunately for Aika, her parents would often fight and Aika was scared that their relationship would deteriorate further. One day, Aika’s mother gave her a doll that looked as if it was made out of Aika’s image. Aika loved the doll so much, but it grew jealous of the parents given that Aika gave them more attention than the doll. Sometimes, the doll would speak to Aika, but only she can understand what the doll is saying.
One day, the doll, out of extreme jealousy, slaughtered Aika’s parents. Of course, this made Aika sad but the doll knew that she would move on from the tragic deaths of her parents given that she has no one else left in the world. Eventually, the doll took over Aika, and Aika had soon forgotten about what the doll did to her parents. Apart from the tragic and horrific backstory, the island itself represents several events that happened throughout Aika’s life.
One of the rooms represented Aika trying to run away from her troubled past, while another symbolized how the doll was able to speak to Aika. This particular room has an eerie sound that only gets louder as the player gets close to it. On the island’s beach, players will find a pair of red shoes, which suggests that Aika herself may have attempted to commit suicide, but the doll prevented her from doing so.
Despite its creepy story, which definitely subvertedthe wholesome and relaxing atmosphere ofAnimal Crossing: New Leaf, players were still drawn to visit the island to witness Aika’s story themselves. Of course, Aika’s Island quickly became one of the most popular islands to visit via the Dream Suite inAnimal Crossing: New Leaf,and luckily for those who do not own a copy of the 3DS game, Aika Island has returned toNew Horizons.
Aika Island in New Leaf vs. New Horizons
In an exciting new update forAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,Nintendo brought back the Dreams feature, which allows players to visit other islands without going through the airport. Of course, the return of this feature also allowed the original creator of Aika Island to recreate their popular creation inNew Horizons. While Aika Island inNew Horizonsis mostly the same, some players noted slight differences in the new version.
Given the better graphics ofAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, some players noted that Aika Island was not as creepy as before. However, the island is still designed in a similar fashion that would allow players to explore it the way the creator intended. The rooms representing Aika’s story are all there, including the creepy doll that plays a pivotal role in this mystery. Interestingly enough, some paintings from the originalNew Leafversion were recreated inNew Horizons.However, there are certain assets from theNew Leafversion that are not available inNew Horizons, and some players felt that the furniture and items in this version don’t give off the same creepy vibe of the original.
Nonetheless, Aika Village inNew Horizonsis still worth checking out, especially for those who haven’t experienced the original version. To visit the island, players must first download the latest update forNew Horizonsand sleep on any bed in the islandto enter the Dream state. Once players have chosen to sleep, they will be transported to the dreamscape where Luna will facilitate the visit. After a conversation with Luna, she will ask the players for the code to the island they wish to visit and the code for Aika Island is DA-1182-7179-4326.
