There's a real conflict here between the game wanting to create space for calm exploration, letting you appreciate the gradual development of your island across months of game-time, but also wanting to push the task system which seeks to trap you in an endless loop of completing just one more Nook Miles task before you log off for the evening. The former is rewarding, whilst the latter feels cynical.

The extent to which everything feels kind of clumsy and slow, taking twice as long as it needs, is charming at first but grows tiring over time.