Animal Jam

About

Animal Jam is a single player and multiplayer casual simulation game. It was developed by WildWorks, Inc. and was released on January 8, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Animal Jam" is a free-to-play online game for kids where they can create and customize their animal characters, explore a 3D world, play games, and learn about real animals and their habitats. Players can also decorate their own dens, shop for accessories, and chat with friends in a virtual community. Parents can use the Parent Tools to control their children's access to social features.

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77%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,587 reviews

graphics30 positive mentions

stability42 negative mentions

Animal Jam offers a fun and colorful environment with a variety of animals and customization options, making it enjoyable for both kids and nostalgic adults.
The game includes educational content about wildlife and nature, providing a learning experience alongside gameplay.
Players can engage in mini-games, trading, and socializing, creating a vibrant community experience.

The game has significant issues with bugs and glitches, often leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
There is a heavy emphasis on microtransactions, making it difficult for free-to-play users to access many features and items.
The community can be toxic, with rampant scamming and bullying, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

graphics
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant, colorful art style that appeals to its target demographic of children, with many users noting the cute and engaging designs of the animals and environments. However, there are mixed reviews regarding performance, with some players experiencing glitches and inconsistencies across different areas of the game. Overall, while the graphics are considered charming and suitable for a children's game, there are calls for improvements in performance and additional graphical options.
- “Love the art style and the game is very generous when you're a starter.”
- “Beautifully made game, graphics, animals, etc. fun games and parties to go to, honestly a fun and safe playground for kids who love animals.”
- “I love the detail on the animals, the graphics, and the movement and places to go!”
- “In comparison to other virtual-world games, Animal Jam stands out with its educational, nature-focused content, despite its simplistic gameplay and subpar graphics.”
- “While it follows the classic trend of online games for kids from the 2010s, this game doesn't really hold up that well. While the graphics are okay, and the main gameplay is average at best, it fails to hold up due to the lackluster minigames.”
- “This game is in early access, but hasn't received any updates in about a year and a half since National Geographic left. The game looks and runs well, but the only features it has are playing games and trading, whereas something like AJ Classic has more variety with missions, den customization, item collecting, and more membership perks.”
gameplay
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a focus on item collection and customization, with players engaging in activities like solving puzzles and exploring, though many find the items unattractive and the overall experience lacking depth. While it offers a variety of features and multiplayer interactions, the gameplay is often described as simplistic and repetitive, with some users expressing concerns about its appeal to children due to gambling mechanics and poor chat filtering. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for its casual nature and educational content, but it struggles with bugs and a dated feel compared to its classic version.
- “A great game for all ages with a variety of challenges and ways to meet new players through its multiplayer mechanic.”
- “The animations and battle mechanics are fluid and smooth, creating an amazing game experience.”
- “Pros: family friendly, easy/simple gameplay, lots of character customization, appealing graphics, expansive, and educational.”
- “99% of this game is getting cool items and decorating your animals/den. You can buy items from the shops and from other players or get them through gameplay like solving nonograms and digging treasure chests scattered around the place, but almost all of these are so ugly honestly I don't even bother with digging up anymore.”
- “Actual gameplay-wise, there really isn't much to do in this game.”
- “In AJ Classic, you get way more perks such as a members-only daily spin, customizable name tag, members-only animals, members-only items, members-only dens, up to 1,000 animal slots, etc. This game just doesn't receive any updates and doesn't have much gameplay beyond the first day or so of playing.”
stability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent and severe glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, making it nearly unplayable at times. Many users express frustration over the lack of timely fixes from the developers, leading to a buildup of unresolved issues. While some players find enjoyment despite these flaws, the overall sentiment indicates that the game's stability is a major concern.
- “This game is a buggy mess, doesn't even feel like it's made with love anymore and is honestly depressing.”
- “There are a plethora of bugs and glitches that Wildworks doesn't seem to have any interest in fixing, some of which make the game nearly unplayable and very unenjoyable.”
- “This game is completely broken with game-breaking bugs and glitches.”
monetization
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
47%
41%
The monetization in the game has drawn significant criticism for its aggressive microtransaction model, which many players feel has overshadowed meaningful content and turned the experience into a cash grab. Users report constant in-game advertisements and paywalls, particularly for mobile players, while expressing disappointment over the lack of transparency from the developers regarding these practices. Although some players note that the game remains playable without spending money, the overwhelming presence of in-app purchases and the pressure to buy premium currency detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially for a game aimed at children.
- “Although it does offer in-game purchases, this game is 100% playable without spending any money; membership can even be bought with in-game currency, so you don't have to spend anything on that, which I found quite surprising.”
- “As long as you avoid the heavy microtransactions and play the game for what it is, it's actually an extremely enjoyable game.”
- “My daughter loves this game and it is very kid-friendly, but beware, it has a ton of in-app purchases, so change your password often and hide it from your kids!”
- “The microtransactions are on absurd levels now, and it wasn't like this at launch.”
- “While the lack of deeper, more meaningful content is somewhat expected for a game entirely targeted towards kids, the game in recent years has become obsessed with incredibly scummy monetization practices over any real content, including what is functionally just a slot machine that you can only access via paying money.”
- “This game has turned into nothing but a soulless cash grab, with in-app purchases being shoved in your face the moment you open this nightmare.”
story
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
77%
9%
The reviews indicate that the game's story aspect is generally lacking, with many players expressing a desire for more engaging missions and objectives. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and community interactions, others criticize the limited quest variety and the reliance on in-game purchases for accessing certain features. Overall, the story is seen as minimal, with gameplay taking precedence, leaving players wanting a richer narrative experience akin to previous versions of the game.
- “The animals are so cute and great storyline for all ages.”
- “I think it will make players interested with the challenges and the storyline.”
- “Another perk of the game is the main story.”
- “It's honestly just kinda stupid to have specific pets or whatever blocked off for people who want to, for some reason, spend their money on a game that has really crappy devs and a really bad problem with the report system. Like hello, I want a dragon :( but no, of course, one of the only ways to get one is through spending excessive money on 'wishing coins' or grinding for sapphires to later spend on someone's shop with overpriced dragons. There should really be a way to get a dragon or other things by default through completing missions and whatnot.”
- “Before, it used to feel so interactive with the story and like you could play the games for ages to get items you want.”
- “This game is in early access as it says, but hasn't received any updates in about a year and a half since National Geographic left this game, so the game looks and runs really well, but the only features it has are playing games and trading, whereas something such as AJ Classic has playing games and trading along with missions, den customization, item collecting, pet-only games, etc., along with more membership perks.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Animal Jam is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the funny animal designs and amusing in-game events. Many reviews highlight the game's lightheartedness and nostalgic charm, making it entertaining for both kids and adults. However, some users also mention bugs and issues that add an unintended layer of humor to their experiences.
- “Overall great game, made for kids but hilarious fun for adults too.”
- “Some of the things that happen on here are quite funny, I do miss the older days of this game though, always enjoyed the National Geographic facts it had ♥”
- “Cute & funny with many people around dancing and running.”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
63%
16%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its quality and variety, particularly in creating and sharing their own tracks. However, some users have experienced technical issues, such as corrupted saves and overlapping sounds, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these challenges, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, making it enjoyable for many players.
- “But hey, at least the music is good.”
- “It's a great game with diverse activities, a friendly community, beautiful visuals and a cool soundtrack.”
- “Good game to listen to 2016 songs without any shame !!”
- “Unless you're using the game solely for painting, making music, and the like, your child would probably be better off playing something else.”
- “Trying to make some music tracks on it only for the save for those music tracks to be corrupted, and I have to start all over again.”
- “Mastertracks creator in general (instruments bleeding into other layers, player model dancing when music is paused which might be connected to my work occasionally not saving, among other random occurrences).”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
10%
79%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, particularly for players who do not wish to spend real money. Many users find the process of earning in-game currency, such as sapphires and wishing coins, to be excessively time-consuming and often feel that essential content is locked behind paywalls. Overall, the grinding experience is described as unfun and repetitive, with some players suggesting that it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Gaining sapphires feels tedious and annoying if you do not spend for them, which makes dressing up feel like a slow process.”
- “It's an incredibly grindy process, though.”
- “Its honestly just kinda stupid to have specific pets blocked off for people who want to spend money on a game that has really crappy devs and a bad problem with the report system. I want a dragon, but one of the only ways to get one is through spending excessive money on 'wishing coins' or grinding for sapphires to later spend on overpriced dragons in someone's shop.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgia and wholesome themes, appealing particularly to younger audiences with its focus on animal love and appreciation. While some players express deep emotional attachment and fond memories from their childhood, others highlight concerns about the game's handling of mature themes and social interactions, suggesting a need for clearer boundaries to protect younger players. Overall, the game is seen as a relaxing and simple experience, though it also introduces elements of emotional manipulation and scamming.
- “This game is incredible; Animal Jam was my first contact with any game at all, and this remake made me feel the same way I've felt when I played classic all those years ago.”
- “Totally recommend it for a wholesome experience :)”
- “It's relaxing and simple, and has a pretty wholesome vibe!”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game requires further optimization for PC, as users report performance issues and glitches, particularly with the fill tool on the masterpiece board. However, overall performance is generally smooth, allowing players to earn in-game currency for customization.
- “The masterpiece board seems to have a few glitches, with the fill tool glitching at times, but it runs smoothly overall.”
- “Needs PC optimization.”
- “Hitting certain levels of performance in these games can give you small amounts of the purchasable currency needed to unlock new customizable home stages, avatars, and costumes.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players feel that the inclusion of additional adventures could enhance the game's replayability, while the mini-games offer enjoyable experiences with good replay value. However, the mobile format's vertical screen and black borders detract from the overall experience.
- “I honestly think that adding adventures to play will make it more replayable.”
- “To be honest, the mini-games are quite fun and have great replay value, although the screen goes vertical with a black border since this is a mobile game at its core.”
- “I honestly think that adding adventures to play would make it more replayable.”
- “The lack of variety in gameplay makes it hard to want to play again.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to replay.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the increased character design options and the enhancements made to beloved characters in their favorite games, indicating a positive reception towards character development.
- “There are more character design options, and I love how my favorite games have been revamped.”
- “The depth of character development in this game is truly impressive, allowing for a unique and personalized experience.”
- “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express a contradiction in the game's atmosphere, criticizing its stance on environmental issues while simultaneously developing an NFT game, which they perceive as contributing to pollution. This inconsistency has led to a negative perception of the game's overall atmosphere.
- “They said 'crypto is polluting the atmosphere' in Animal Jam, then proceeded to make an NFT game.”