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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,830 reviews

gameplay375 positive mentions

grinding139 negative mentions

gameplay
1,019 mentions
37 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Animal Well" is characterized by its innovative mechanics and rewarding exploration, offering a blend of puzzle-solving and platforming within a metroidvania framework. Players appreciate the depth of the mechanics, which often require experimentation and creative thinking, although some find the lack of guidance and occasional frustrating mechanics to be off-putting. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging gameplay loop, beautiful visuals, and the satisfaction derived from discovering new tools and their applications throughout the game.
- “The gameplay is engaging and deep, with little handholding, encouraging exploration.”
- “The mechanics blend well with this mood.”
- “The gameplay feels really tight and responsive - the artstyle is unique and weirdly nostalgic.”
- “The gameplay starts out very simple and accessible, then builds on itself in creative and intuitive ways.”
- “Being unable to remap the keys would get a downvote on its own, but the annoying mechanics (jumping onto ephemeral erratically moving bubbles is hardly fun; with the keys given it's a chore at best), the unclear graphics, and lack of direction makes solving each puzzle a relief rather than feeling like something was accomplished.”
- “The puzzles are obvious and easy; any difficulty the game might have is achieved artificially through extremely punishing mechanics (accidentally press a wrong button, instead of losing one life, crows attack you until you lose all five, there's no way to escape it, and then you get sent miles back and need to trek back to where you died).”
graphics
956 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Animal Well" have been widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, which combines retro aesthetics with modern lighting effects, creating a captivating and immersive atmosphere. Many reviewers noted the game's unique visual design, which evokes feelings of mystery and exploration, while also highlighting the intricate details and vibrant color palettes that enhance the overall experience. However, some players found the visuals occasionally confusing, impacting gameplay clarity, but overall, the art direction and sound design contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Furthermore, in terms of graphics, this game isn't groundbreaking.”
- “Being unable to remap the keys would get a downvote on its own, but the annoying mechanics, the unclear graphics, and lack of direction makes solving each puzzle a relief rather than feeling like something was accomplished.”
- “My major complaint goes to the horrible graphics presentation, that is only guaranteed to give you migraines.”
atmosphere
803 mentions
70 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Animal Well" is widely praised for its impeccable design, blending charming pixel art with haunting soundscapes that create a deeply immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of mystery and tension, often comparing its unique ambiance to that of beloved titles like "Hollow Knight" and "Rain World." Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating, inviting exploration while maintaining a balance of serenity and eeriness.
- “The atmosphere of this game is wonderful enough for me to recommend, but the nonlinear gameplay allowing you to miss key items sours the game for me.”
- “The atmosphere is impeccable.”
- “Animal well is a stunningly beautiful, atmospheric metroidvania that's extremely creative in the puzzles it presents to the player and the tools it provides.”
- “The atmosphere is average.”
- “The music and atmosphere isn't there, the graphics aren't stunning, the puzzles are more annoying than anything, a lot of jumps that if missed makes you have to start all over again.”
- “While I dig the general atmosphere and ambience, I don't find it as immersive as I thought it was going to be, due to general nitpicks like the arbitrary block-puzzles and floating platforms hanging about, gamifying the areas more than I'd like.”
music
496 mentions
47 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is often described as atmospheric and minimalistic, enhancing the overall immersive experience while allowing ambient sounds to take center stage. While some players appreciate the sparse use of music, noting that it effectively heightens tension during key moments, others express a desire for a more robust soundtrack to accompany the gameplay. Overall, the combination of haunting melodies and sound design contributes significantly to the game's unique atmosphere, making it a standout feature despite its limited presence.
- “The music and sound design made my hair stand on end in the best way possible.”
- “The world looks and sounds interesting, with constant noises reminding you that you are not alone, and the aesthetics plus music help set the tone and atmosphere of each area.”
- “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 lack of music early on makes the game feel less emotional than it could when music is what carries many of the best games, and the fact that the game doesn't really shift from a single aesthetic makes going to new locations feel less impactful than other games in the genre where you can feel like you are going out of your depth and getting lost.”
- “Musically, the game has mostly been ambient noise with a few musical tracks thrown in for boss fights, which is a shame.”
- “The somewhat lack of an OST actually fits the atmosphere of the game (what else do you expect to hear trapped in a well?) and aurally, this game's strength is in its sound design - not music.”
story
319 mentions
17 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely absent, with many players noting a lack of traditional narrative or character development. Instead, it relies heavily on environmental storytelling and exploration, allowing players to piece together their own interpretations of the world. While some appreciate the minimalist approach, others find it unsatisfying, wishing for more context or direction to enhance their experience.
- “Maybe not a full-on narrative story, but lore clues that lead to a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it; so we can piece together the rest from there.”
- “Wonderful storytelling through world and level design, with striking and distinct styles for each area.”
- “The narrative is subtly woven through the environment, encouraging you to piece together the story as you progress.”
- “There's barely any story.”
- “The plot is non-existent.”
- “With zero dialogue and no story, the game doesn't have a story to keep you hooked or to motivate you to explore the world more.”
grinding
144 mentions
1 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tedious and repetitive nature, particularly due to excessive backtracking and limited fast travel options. Players often find the exploration and secret-hunting elements to be frustratingly time-consuming, with many feeling that the game lacks a satisfying sense of progression as they are forced to revisit areas multiple times without clear guidance. While some enjoy the challenge, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being more exhausting than rewarding, especially in the late game.
- “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.”
- “However, exploring back and forth around this large and intricately designed map is very tedious and kind of annoying.”
- “The world is very interesting and I want to explore all of it, however traversing the map gets tedious with the amount of backtracking there is and they lock fast travel behind finding secrets.”
- “Everything in the postgame is a tedious obtuse mess in which the main challenge is not dying of boredom as you scour every single room in the game looking for blocks and background details that you didn't know to take note of on your first pass through.”
humor
76 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, with many players enjoying the quirky interactions with funny animals and unexpected puzzle mechanics. While some reviews highlight the influence of a popular YouTuber, the game's humor stands on its own, offering a mix of lighthearted moments and surprising challenges that keep players engaged. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and memorable.
- “The dozens of funny, quirky, and sometimes horrifying interactions with the animals are fantastic.”
- “I cannot count the number of times I said 'wouldn't it be funny if...' only to discover that, actually, yes, the game expects you to try that and it unlocks a secret.”
- “It's not just a game; it's an experience that touches your heart and tickles your funny bone.”
- “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 detract from the overall experience.”
emotional
64 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a deeply engaging and nostalgic experience, evoking feelings of joy, frustration, and even tears throughout gameplay. Players appreciate the game's beautiful art and music, which contribute to a wholesome atmosphere, while some express that certain elements can be unsettling or frustrating. Overall, the game successfully creates a unique emotional journey, reminiscent of childhood gaming experiences, though some players feel it lacks a strong narrative or emotional hook.
- “It made me cry.”
- “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
38 mentions
29 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it rich with secrets and multiple layers to explore, others feel that the initial discovery is where the fun lies, leading to limited replay value. Completionists and speedrunners may enjoy additional content, but many reviewers suggest that once the puzzles are solved, the incentive to replay diminishes. Overall, the game offers a variety of experiences that can enhance replayability for certain players, but it may not appeal to everyone seeking long-term engagement.
- “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, 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
28 mentions
36 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many praising its impressive performance, quick loading times, and efficient use of storage (around 30-40 MB), showcasing the developer's technical prowess. However, some players have reported significant performance issues and glitches, indicating that while the game excels in certain areas, it may still suffer from optimization flaws that affect the overall experience. Overall, it stands out as a well-optimized title, particularly for a solo-developed project, but not without its challenges.
- “On top of that, this is also a technical masterclass on how to make an optimized game from scratch completely by yourself.”
- “This game is jam packed with stuff, but it's so quick and snappy and beautifully optimized.”
- “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!”
stability
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is praised, with players reporting a bug-free experience and smooth controls reminiscent of titles like Hollow Knight and Cuphead. While some initial glitches were noted, they have since been fixed, and the game runs well on various platforms, including Steam Deck and Chromebook. Players have not encountered significant issues, contributing to a positive perception of the game's technical performance.
- “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 and 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.”
- “They are also buggy in collision and randomly let you enter their space without taking harm.”
monetization
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and corporate bloat, while others feel that the game lacks depth and may come off as a cash grab. There is a sentiment that the game's marketing may have misrepresented its content, leading to disappointment among players who expected a different experience. Overall, the focus on supporting independent developers without microtransactions is highlighted positively.
- “No hustle, no advertising yourself.”
- “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.”
- “I literally did not have the money to afford this game.. gotta support independent devs and games without microtransactions while they still exist.”
- “Maybe they should have added a little more stuff; a little corporate bloat or microtransactions would go a long way here.”
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.”