# Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
*Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream* is more akin to a reality television series than a conventional game, where you participate behind the scenes. You’ll craft the cast members and support them from the background, yet won’t have significant influence over the pivotal choices your Miis make. It’s a highly enjoyable concept if you’re ready to surrender control to the *Tomodachi* deities, but if you’re a fan of Sims or Animal Crossing venturing into this series for the first time, the randomness of it all might leave you bewildered. Likewise, if you’re not artistically inclined, the game’s customization options may feel overwhelming.
Though there isn’t a definitive method to engage with *Tomodachi Life*, there is a preferable approach if you aim to enjoy it, which primarily entails being laid-back about various aspects. As someone who was quite engrossed in the original 3DS version of *Tomodachi Life* during its prime, here are my suggestions for maximizing your experience with *Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream*.
## Treat it like a TV show
There won’t always be a challenge to resolve or a Mii to nourish in *Tomodachi Life*, and that’s perfectly fine! Delight in observing your Miis roam the island, and ensure you zoom in to see what they are engaging in. Occasionally you might catch them creating art in the sand, gossiping, or exercising.
## Take breaks
Unlike many classic cozy games, *Tomodachi Life* is designed for short play sessions. Don’t expect to engage in this game for extended hours without losing interest—rather, check in daily for fresh items in stores, and revisit a few times throughout the day if you’re eager to tackle extra Mii dilemmas.
## Expand your collection
One of the primary attractions of the *Tomodachi Life* franchise is the vast array of collectibles, and *Living the Dream* certainly delivers on that front. Including color variations, this game boasts a staggering 9,814 items to gather, and attempting to accumulate them all is a fantastic way to keep the excitement alive (especially when you’re repeatedly playing the same minigame).
## Give your Miis anything and everything
Unlike the original *Tomodachi Life*, Miis can now receive treasures in addition to regular items, opening up numerous possibilities. Presenting your Miis with Shiny Beads or a Koala Plush that you have stashed away can spark some truly amusing conversations and scenarios. Give it a try!
## Customize everything (even if you’re bad at art)
If you’ve been online recently, you’ve likely seen *Tomodachi Life* masterpieces that could make the game’s customization features feel somewhat daunting. Yet, even if you lack artistic talent, it’s enjoyable to give it a whirl. My Mii absolutely loves the dreadful pet borzoi I created for them, and I can now proudly say that I’ve developed a fondness for it as well, despite its slightly grotesque appearance.
## Take advantage of TomodachiShare for easy Mii-making
The Mii customization aspect can be quite intimidating, particularly if you’re aiming to craft lifelike versions of beloved fictional characters. If you seek assistance, it’s beneficial to visit the website [TomodachiShare](https://tomodachishare.com/). It serves as an excellent resource for step-by-step Mii tutorials, and it’s how I managed to create [an unexpectedly realistic Isabelle from *Animal Crossing*](https://tomodachishare.com/mii/3670) for my island.
## Just go with the flow
Miis will inherently make some rather bizarre choices, and they often develop crushes that may not align with their original narratives or whatever context they hail from. The wisest approach is to go with the flow: agree to Miis’ relationship requests, encourage them to interact with one another, and simply allow your island to descend into delightful chaos.
