In October, we appreciate Animal Crossing’s Wisp

Sure, Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ resident ghost, Wisp, can be pretty annoying. Because no, I don’t have time each time I say hi to him to collect five spirit pieces and put him back together. I’ve been pushing you around for 10 minutes to get you in the perfect photo spot, Wisp! You’re telling me you didn’t notice?

(This is not to ignore that he always gives trash rewards, too!)

Either way, it is Halloween season. It’s Wisp’s time to shine. I’m embracing Wisp in October, collecting his spirit pieces but mostly leaving him alone as to not scare him. It seems like other people are doing that, too. Wisp’s presence is especially welcome this month, and having him around definitely is a vibe.

What this comes down to, I think, is something Polygon’s Patricia Hernandez wrote about last month: capturing Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ “irresistible vibes.” A perfectly crafted screenshot, after pushing Wisp around for minutes, topped with a seasonal filter, is like a postcard, she wrote.

Wisp fits neatly into the aesthetic everyone’s going for in October: autumn and fall stylings with a hint of Halloween creepiness. New Horizons players started prepping for the season well before the October update, anyway, crafting the perfect seasonal experience. Having Wisp stop by? That’s just the icing on top of the cake.

And so, this October, we appreciate Wisp. Just for this month, I am going to forgive you for handing me a trash can when I chose an expensive reward.