ANIMAL WELL

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"Animal Well" is a puzzle-focused game set in a detailed, nonlinear world filled with lively creatures and secrets. The game emphasizes exploration, with items that have multiple uses and environmental interactions. Tension and suspense are prioritized over action, and players must assess their own safety in this disempowering yet clever world. The main game is just the beginning, with hidden puzzles potentially being discovered for years to come.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,043 reviews

gameplay301 positive mentions

grinding119 negative mentions

The game features stunning pixel art and a haunting atmosphere that immerses players in its world.
Puzzles are clever and rewarding, encouraging exploration and experimentation with unique tools.
Animal Well offers a deep and engaging experience with multiple layers of secrets and challenges to uncover.

The game can become tedious due to excessive backtracking and a lack of clear direction.
Some puzzles are overly obscure or difficult to solve without external help, which can detract from the experience.
The absence of customizable controls and a limited fast travel system can lead to frustration.

gameplay
850 mentions
35 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Animal Well" is characterized by its innovative mechanics and engaging puzzle-platforming elements, encouraging exploration and experimentation without explicit tutorials. Players appreciate the depth and variety of interactions with the environment, as well as the satisfaction derived from solving cleverly designed puzzles. However, some critiques highlight issues with backtracking and occasional frustrating mechanics, suggesting that while the game excels in creativity and atmosphere, it may not appeal to everyone due to its non-linear structure and lack of guidance.
- “Aside from the difficult and satisfying puzzles, one of the main ways the game truly shines is how well it teaches you about game mechanics without outright spelling it out for you through text.”
- “When you get a new item, you get it in an area where you can find how it works, learn its mechanic, and then, you're free to explore, and if you think twice, you'll find other places and creative ways to use it.”
- “The gameplay is so simple and the level of interactivity with the world is so basic that you would be shocked at what you can do in this game despite how fundamental the mechanics seem.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty standard, go find 4 'keys' to unlock the final zone and get new tools along the way.”
- “The short version is that the core puzzle/metroidvania gameplay is very underwhelming and downright boring, and I believe the success of the game is mainly due to videogamedunkey's name and the strength of the aesthetics.”
graphics
797 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Animal Well" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, intricate details, and atmospheric lighting effects that create a captivating and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's unique blend of retro aesthetics with modern visual techniques, resulting in a visually striking environment that enhances exploration and puzzle-solving. While some players found the visuals initially overwhelming, many noted that they grew to appreciate the art style's charm and depth, contributing significantly to the game's overall appeal.
- “The art is impeccable and you'd be impressed with the amount of details that this game graphics has: reflections, dynamic light, layered effects... everything here is combined to create a very unique, but rather familiar ride.”
- “The visuals are stunning, blending nostalgic pixel art with modern lighting, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are beautiful especially with scanlines enabled, giving it an old CRT look.”
- “The graphics are not great.”
- “The graphics themselves are pretty messy and it's frequently hard to see what's part of the environment vs part of the actual map.”
- “I found that I disliked the pseudo-retro graphics and overly pixelated sprites and backgrounds.”
atmosphere
656 mentions
70 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Animal Well" is widely praised for its unique blend of beauty and eeriness, characterized by stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and a haunting yet charming ambiance. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of mystery and exploration, with many noting its captivating environments that invite deep engagement and discovery. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and drawing players into its richly crafted world.
- “The atmosphere is great, interesting and even a bit haunting.”
- “The atmosphere is immersive.”
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack and creativity behind this game blend into a masterpiece for gamers who enjoy a challenging platformer with a unique art style fused together by a never-ending rabbit hole of mystery hunting.”
- “I'm really trying to get to like this game, but the puzzles are too easy, and the overall atmosphere is not enough to keep me hooked.”
- “All respect to the Dunkey cult, this game looks beautiful and is very tranquil; however, it is far too long, and its art style and atmosphere are not enough to keep it going. Frankly, it's a 10-15 hour game that would have worked much better as a 3-5 hour game that you could beat in one night. The environments are repetitive, the puzzles aren't the most engaging or consistent, and the fact you can't attack or even interact with the environment beyond simply jumping on the right platform only highlights this problem and makes the game feel even more drawn out.”
- “The atmosphere is average.”
music
394 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others noted its sparse presence. Players appreciated the haunting and ambient soundscapes that complement the visuals, creating a captivating atmosphere, though some expressed a desire for a more robust soundtrack. Overall, the sound design is often highlighted as a strong point, effectively contributing to the game's immersive environment.
- “The music, the graphics, the gameplay, the atmosphere... this should be a 10/10 immediate recommendation to everyone to buy.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and visuals make for a great experience that can be scary and startling at times, but it's also very beautiful and can make you feel a bunch of different ways.”
- “The music is ethereal and haunting, and the sound design brings this dark but charming world to life.”
- “The lack of story and music really didn't help keep me interested in the game.”
- “The music is very sparse, like a certain game everyone compares everything to, but this shifts focus to the atmosphere.”
- “Musically, the game has mostly been ambient noise with a few musical tracks thrown in for boss fights, which is a shame.”
story
259 mentions
17 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The story in "Animal Well" is largely minimal and often described as non-existent, relying heavily on environmental storytelling and player exploration rather than a traditional narrative. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and cryptic elements that encourage personal interpretation, many express disappointment over the lack of clear objectives or lore, feeling that the game could benefit from a more defined storyline. Overall, the focus is on gameplay and puzzles, with the story serving as a subtle backdrop rather than a driving force.
- “The art style, the dark atmosphere, the cryptic story, the sense of exploration, the variation and difficulty of the puzzles, the insane number of secrets, the rewards - all done perfectly.”
- “Everything about it, from the visuals, to the soundtrack, to the characters, to the story will just keep you going all the way through.”
- “The narrative is subtly woven through the environment, encouraging you to piece together the story as you progress.”
- “The story is surreal and barely present until you really start grinding out post-game secrets, so I won't go into detail.”
- “But it's difficult as hell, esoteric as shit, and has literally zero story or lore.”
- “There's no story, no dialogue, just you exploring this world and solving puzzles.”
grinding
123 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious, particularly due to excessive backtracking and repetitive tasks required to uncover secrets and complete puzzles. While some players appreciate the exploration and clever puzzle design, many find the late-game experience frustratingly monotonous, with a lack of clear direction and insufficient fast travel options exacerbating the grind. Overall, the enjoyment of the game diminishes as players are forced to engage in lengthy and often unfulfilling scavenger hunts.
- “The fun here is the puzzles, not the tedious search grind.”
- “I think this game is clearly well-designed enough that getting lost isn't a problem as I generally was able to figure out what to do after each pick-up or door unlocked, and the map is pretty easy to traverse through once you discover each area, so backtracking isn't tedious.”
- “The game is almost entirely variations of the same puzzle, key items are unique but not particularly exciting, there's a lot of tedious backtracking, and the exploration rewards are largely bland and uninteresting.”
- “What I found was a tedious and boring backtracking simulator running back to every room several times in case you miss something and using all of your items and jumping into every wall. This quickly got boring for me.”
- “The final hours of the game can be a little tedious, but I stayed determined and relied on others to finish one of the most rewarding games I have played in a long time.”
humor
70 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring funny animals and quirky interactions that elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the blend of humor with challenging puzzles, often finding themselves surprised by the game's unexpected comedic elements. Overall, the game is described as a delightful experience that balances humor with engaging gameplay, making it enjoyable for both platformer fans and those who appreciate a good laugh.
- “The dozens of funny, quirky, and sometimes horrifying interactions with the animals are fantastic.”
- “There were multiple times I was simultaneously laughing and running for my life due to the sheer creativity on display.”
- “The game's sense of humor is another high point.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced, making it more cringeworthy than funny.”
- “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and often miss the mark.”
- “The attempts at humor are so over-the-top that they become annoying rather than entertaining.”
emotional
52 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Animal Well" elicits a wide range of feelings, from nostalgia and joy to frustration and unease. Many players appreciate the game's wholesome atmosphere, beautiful art, and clever puzzles, which evoke a sense of childhood wonder and satisfaction. However, some express disappointment over the lack of a strong narrative or emotional hook, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.
- “It is an experience that made me feel like I was 10 years old again playing a video game alone in a dark room trying to understand what the heck is going on.”
- “This game is so deeply honest, and so obviously coming from a place of passion, it's impossible not to shed a tear by the time it's over.”
- “I'm struggling to put into words the wonderful and emotional journey it took me on from the start to the game's final message.”
replayability
33 mentions
24 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while completionists and speedrunners may find ample opportunities to revisit the game due to its numerous secrets and alternate paths, others feel that once the puzzles are solved, the incentive to replay diminishes. Some players appreciate the depth and charm that encourage exploration and experimentation, while others note that the lack of combat and reliance on secret hunts may limit long-term engagement. Overall, the game offers a variety of replayable elements, but its appeal may vary significantly based on individual play styles.
- “Though it might be short, Animal Well is rich with replayability due to its depth of secrets and various ways to approach puzzles.”
- “The amount of secrets in this game is insane; I got to an ending, but it’s only the first layer of the story. There’s a huge amount of replay value.”
- “Animal Well scratches an itch that few games do, combining its amazing atmosphere with ingenious puzzles that make you go 'ahhhhhhhh,' tight platforming, fantastic exploration, exciting items to collect, gorgeous music, excellent worldbuilding, and tons of replayability.”
- “After playing the game once, finding many (but likely not all) secrets, I don't think there is much replay value.”
- “The only downside I can come up with is that unless you're speedrunning this game, it's not likely to have much replay value.”
- “The 'replayability' in the postgame consists entirely of literally easter egg hunts, which isn't a bad thing inherently, but the game doesn't do a great job of encouraging you or making it fun.”
optimization
22 mentions
41 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players praise its impressive performance, efficient resource management, and the developer's ability to create a well-optimized engine, others report significant performance issues and glitches. Overall, the game showcases a blend of technical mastery and optimization challenges, with many appreciating its snappy responsiveness and compact file size.
- “Also gotta love how well optimized it is.”
- “On top of that, this is also a technical masterclass on how to make an optimized game from scratch completely by yourself.”
- “Basso also deserves credit for cramming such a game in just 30 megabytes... now that's what I call optimization!”
- “This game has significant performance issues.”
- “For one, and this is something I've seen others experience - the game is just horribly optimized.”
- “This ain't a high-end game, it's kind of embarrassing that an otherwise well-crafted game is in this state performance-wise, man!”
monetization
9 mentions
22 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users expressing a desire for more content or microtransactions to enhance the experience, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions and support for independent developers. Overall, the game's marketing has been criticized for potentially misleading players about its genre and content.
- “No microtransactions.”
- “I literally did not have the money to afford this game... gotta support independent devs and games without microtransactions while they still exist.”
- “It feels and plays like a quick cash grab.”
- “Maybe they should have added a little more stuff; a little corporate bloat or microtransactions would go a long way here.”
- “I literally did not have the money to afford this game.. gotta support independent devs and games without microtransactions while they still exist.”
stability
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
63 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with players reporting a bug-free experience and smooth controls reminiscent of titles like Hollow Knight and Cuphead. Initial glitches have been addressed, and the game runs well on various platforms, including Steam Deck and Chromebook. Players have noted the absence of significant bugs or gameplay issues during their playthroughs.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck and Chromebook.”
- “So far the game has been bug-free, but I definitely saw some squirrels.”
- “Dunkey memes aside, this is definitely worth a purchase. Props to Billy Basso for making this game solo, in his own engine, bug-free (in my playthrough) and at only 34MB!”
- “On the subject of glitches/game-breaking sections, it is technically possible to get to the final area of the game while only beating 3 of the 4 creatures.”
- “Counting a secret dev message, there's talk that there are at least 4 layers of secrets, with a theorized 5th layer that requires glitches the developers hint at occasionally.”
- “Originally, there were some glitches, but it was fixed.”
character development
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
While the reviews highlight the impressive character design and visual aesthetics of the game, they do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development within the narrative. Overall, the focus seems to be more on the visual appeal rather than the evolution of characters.
- “From the character designs, the lighting, the fluid physics, to the environment, this is probably the most gorgeous pixel game I have ever played.”