Animal Well

"Animal Well is one of the most interesting indie games that has been released so far in 2024."

"Animal Well is a game that promised platforming and puzzles and has managed to absolutely nail both in execution. Platforming fans will have an enjoyable time reaching the credits and will be content to set it down while puzzle gamers …"

"Teeming with life, secrets, and charm that surprise and delight, Animal Well held my full, undivided attention"

"Explore a bright vision of subterranean nature in this astonishingly rich Metroidvania."

"Animal Well is an atypical metroidvania that exploits many of the genre&s;s tropes to give birth to something different, almost completely eliminating the entire action component to focus exclusively on the puzzles. The end result is a fascinating, mysterious and …"

"This is a game best played alongside friends who can go in without any expectations and work through obstacles together. Don’t expect to be able to solve everything on your own, but at the same time, do everything you can …"

"Animal Well is one of those games where the less you know, the better. The implausible amount of secrets within Billy Basso’s first official release will keep many engaged for 10+ hours."

"Animal Well&s;s deep secrets and arresting atmosphere will suck you down the rabbit hole."

"Animal Well is a stunner of a metroidvania, usually charming but frequently creepy, mysterious but by no means unapproachable, and filled from top to bottom with secrets that are always satisfying to uncover."

"It’s one I’m grateful I experienced knowing so little, and urge anyone else sitting on the fence to wholeheartedly embrace until the darkness and biologically fueled light sources of its world envelop you in your beautiful, if slightly chilly, new …"

"Animal Well is a refreshing twist on the Metroidvania formula. Its tight platforming and clever puzzles make each exhilarating trek to distinct regions a blast. Although the retro-inspired art direction and odd presentation may not resonate with everyone, the originality …"

"Without giving anything away, it suffices to say that this rabbit hole goes a long way down, and if Animal Well is a Metroidvania, it&s;s so much more besides."

"Animal Well kept me captivated from start to finish and long after. Fans of Metroid-likes NEED to play this."

"Animal Well is one of those works that seem to have been scooped out of a single skull: a chilly clump of sweet dreams and obsessions, pleasures and manias."

"Animal Well is a fantastic breakout title from both a new developer and publishing studio. Fans of Fez and Tunic will feel right at home jumping into this well."

"Despite its confusing fast travel system and misbehaving yo-yo, Animal Well is a bizarre yet brilliant neon-bathed adventure, characterized by tricky puzzles, intense platforming, and a host of cute animals - almost all of which are out to kill you."

"Overall, Animal Well is a visually striking 2D metroidvania that immerses you in a pixelated world full of mysteries."

"Animal Well is a Metroidvania that stands out in a crowded marketplace thanks to a lack of combat and some seriously creative power ups."

"Animal Well brought a new breath to the metroidvania genre with its clever puzzles, endless mysteries, great-looking pixel design and intriguing exploration structure. Animal Well will be in the 2020s what FEZ was in the 2010s."

"Despite its litany of tricks, though, Animal Well is a relatively simple game at its core, with little in the way of an overarching mystery or narrative to push you along. And while the lack of long-term hooks sometimes makes …"

"Animal Well is a unique experience that will appeal to lovers of platformers with metroidvania elements as well as those who appreciate creative puzzles and mysterious atmospheres. The fascinating visual style, combined with a very solid game system that is …"

"Developer Shared Memory&s;s stated goal is "to craft complete experiences that will be playable long after the world loses its internet connection," and screen after screen, Animal Well excels in delighting your eyes and giving your brain something to stew …"

"Uncover secrets, evade dangers, and embark on an eerie journey in ANIMAL WELL. Billy Basso has crafted a dark neon aesthetic and enigmatic gameplay that delivers a Metroidvania unlike many others. The mystery and cryptic puzzles won&s;t be for everyone, …"

"Animal Well is a beautiful, multi-layered puzzle box that’s both fun to simply play around with, and an utter delight to slowly crack open, secret by secret."

"Animal Well delights with its non-traditional approach to Metroidvanias, combining unique items with a reactive and surreal world that&s;s full of surprises."

"Animal Well is something quite remarkable. A Metroidvania title that still feels fresh in 2024 thanks to its puzzle-centric gameplay, incredible atmosphere and army of secrets to discover, this is a must-play for those who like a bit of mystery …"

"Animal Well is a little dream: an original metroidvania with unique mechanics that describes a world you will rarely forget. Its gameplay structure and puzzles undoubtedly make it one of the best in its genre, a must-play that you need …"

"Animal Well is sure to be one of 2024&s;s surprise hits. It&s;s Metroidvania gameplay plays second fiddle to a seemingly endless mystery"

"The puzzles presented by Animal Well are challenging enough, but at no point do they feel impossible. The level design guides us little by little, and the way in which each challenge is solved is through experimentation. Talking about Animal …"

"A sleep-destroying puzzle metroidvania of baffling depth, Animal Well may go down in history as one of the genre&s;s best."

"A shimmering subterranean world reveals itself bit by bit to you, an amorphous blob, in this enchanting, intricate game"

"A fascinating two-faced videogame, a bit puzzler and a bit platformer, based on excellent level design, enchanting sound design and lovely pixelart."

"Animal Well is an extremely rewarding game — if you&s;re willing to lose yourself in it. The sort of mysteries it&s;s hiding go well beyond finding collectibles, giving you a rich and detailed world to unpack. If you have the …"

"Animal Well is one of the strangest metroidvanias I’ve played in a lot of very good ways. It’s pretty, funny, and scary in its atmospheric visuals and audio. Its platforming is also very satisfying and makes you feel good when …"