Animal Jam

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,425 reviews

graphics30 positive mentions

monetization15 negative mentions

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

The game has a heavy emphasis on microtransactions, making it difficult for non-members to access many features and items.
There are frequent reports of hacking and scamming within the community, leading to concerns about account security and player safety.
The chat system is overly restrictive, often censoring normal words and phrases, which can hinder communication and frustrate players.

graphics
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, colorful art style that appeals to its target demographic of children, creating a fun and engaging visual experience. While many users appreciate the cute and charming designs, some critiques mention that the graphics can feel simplistic compared to other games, and there are occasional technical issues. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's appeal and educational content.
- “With graphics so colorful it's like a unicorn barfed rainbows, it's a furry fiesta of fun - just beware of the occasional troll!”
- “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.”
- “Fun for kids under 11 years old. I don't enjoy it; too boring. Trash game for kids. Can't write your own words. Absolutely trash. It was like a trash can game, worse graphics of all time.”
gameplay
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
7%
The gameplay of Animal Jam is characterized by its simplicity and educational focus, appealing to younger audiences with a variety of features and multiplayer mechanics. While some players appreciate the nostalgic elements and smooth animations, others criticize the lack of engaging minigames and the dated mechanics compared to modern standards. Overall, the game offers a decent experience but is hindered by bugs and a less vibrant community, leading to mixed reviews on its long-term enjoyment.
- “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.”
- “It retains the style, gameplay, and aspects of the original, while taking its own spin on it, bringing you an experience that no other modern kid's MMO can give.”
- “In comparison to other virtual-world games, Animal Jam stands out with its educational, nature-focused content, despite its simplistic gameplay and subpar graphics.”
- “Although the mini games or gameplay hasn't really changed much over the past 4 years.”
- “This game is pretty decent... if you can handle toxic 12-year-old kids saying 'oh my mom spent more money on this game than yours,' even though his character is probably just as harmful as one of the monsters from Bird Box, and that's only player interaction; gameplay is honestly boring.”
monetization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
47%
39%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players describing it as a "soulless cash grab" heavily reliant on in-app purchases and microtransactions. Many users report that ads are pervasive, especially on mobile, and that the game feels more like a marketing platform than a genuine gaming experience. While some acknowledge that the game can be enjoyed without spending money, the overwhelming presence of paywalls and aggressive monetization tactics has left a negative impression, particularly for a title 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.”
- “Another point that many will bring up is microtransactions - though, this feature isn't as bad as people make it out to be.”
- “This game has turned into nothing but a soulless cash grab, in-app purchases being shoved in your face the moment you open this nightmare.”
- “Its a social game centered around microtransactions, and there's in-game marketing for it everywhere.”
- “Edit: sadly this game is becoming a crappy money grab, and its added multiple paywalls.. and ads!”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
78%
8%
The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the story aspect of the game. While some players appreciate the fun missions and engaging quests reminiscent of earlier versions, others feel that the current offerings are limited and repetitive, lacking depth and variety. Additionally, there are frustrations about monetization affecting access to content, leading to a desire for more interactive and rewarding story elements.
- “The animals are so cute and there is a great storyline for all ages.”
- “I might not have much time on this game, but from what I've seen, this is a great game. I love the graphics, there are a lot of great people playing this game, and it's just great in general. The quests are good and there's a lot to do.”
- “The quests and dungeons are intense along with its crazy character creation.”
- “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.”
- “I am not gonna pay an overpriced membership for a game that barely allows anyone to have a proper time playing the game without it, end of story.”
- “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.”
stability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting a significant number of bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, making it nearly unplayable at times. While some players note that the game runs fine overall, many express frustration with persistent issues that remain unresolved, particularly after updates. Despite these flaws, a few users still find enjoyment in the game, albeit with the expectation of encountering glitches regularly.
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
- “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.”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many users finding it funny and entertaining, particularly due to its silly animal characters and lighthearted mini-games. While some nostalgia for earlier versions is noted, the overall sentiment is that the game provides a fun and humorous experience for both kids and adults. However, there are mentions of some negative reviews being perceived as trolling, which may detract from the game's reputation.
- “Overall great game, made for kids but hilarious fun for adults too.”
- “Cute & funny with many people around dancing and running.”
- “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 ♥”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
11%
79%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious, repetitive, and often requiring excessive time or money to unlock content, such as pets and cosmetics. Many players find the process frustrating, especially with the added issues of scams and a lack of meaningful rewards for their efforts. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “However, it can get grindy and there's a lot of scammers, which is something to watch out for.”
- “It's also way too grindy and unfun if you don't pay money.”
- “The grinding in this game can be brutal, but if it's necessary for curbstomping the insanely hard bosses, I'm okay with it!”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its quality and variety, particularly enjoying the ability to customize their in-game experience with different tracks. While some users find the music enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others express a desire for more options, such as the ability to insert personal songs. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the gaming experience, despite some minor complaints about repetitiveness or annoyance.
- “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!”
- “You can even change your den song so long as you have another song to change it with.”
- “Mate, I ain't getting a headache from these animal games no more. I just want to enjoy myself, but the music is annoying. Even though it is nowhere near as annoying as the animal sounds from the other games, it still gets on my nerves.”
- “There has been a black screen popping up when I click log in and I can only hear music. Help!”
- “2 fails and the music changes.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing nostalgia and attachment to their childhood experiences, while others voice frustration over changes and negative interactions within the community. Many appreciate the game's wholesome atmosphere, though concerns about emotional manipulation and scamming are noted, highlighting a complex emotional landscape for players of different ages. Overall, the game elicits strong feelings ranging from fondness to annoyance, reflecting its impact on players' lives.
- “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.”
- “Pretty wholesome game <3”
- “Totally recommend it for a wholesome experience :)”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance reported by many users. However, some players have experienced glitches, particularly with specific tools and features, indicating that further optimization, especially for PC, may be needed.
- “Not to mention, it is perfectly optimized, and I definitely did not manage to fall out of bounds and glitch out on several occasions.”
- “Hitting certain levels of performance in these games can give you small amounts of the purchasable currency in the game needed to unlock new customizable home stages, avatars, and costumes.”
- “The masterpiece board seems to have a few glitches, with the fill tool glitching at times, but seems to run smoothly.”
- “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
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Users feel that the addition of adventures could enhance the game's replayability, while the mini-games currently offer enjoyable experiences with good replay value. However, the vertical screen format and black borders on mobile devices detract from the overall experience.
- “To be honest, the mini-games are quite fun and have great replay value.”
- “I honestly think that adding adventures to play will make it more replayable.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The lack of diverse endings really diminishes the replay value.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight a contradiction in the game's atmosphere, noting that while it critiques the environmental impact of cryptocurrency, it simultaneously embraces the NFT trend, which they view as hypocritical. This inconsistency detracts from the overall immersive experience.
- “They said 'crypto is polluting the atmosphere' in Animal Jam, then proceeded to make an NFT game.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the increased character design options and the enhancements made to their favorite games, indicating a positive reception towards the character development aspect.
- “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 incredible; I feel truly connected to my character's journey.”
- “Each character evolves in meaningful ways, making every decision feel impactful and personal.”