ANIMAL WELL

Item: ANIMAL WELL
Rating: 93
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-04-15

Summary

Stunning audio-visuals create immersive experience.
Rewarding exploration and intricate puzzle-solving.
Excellent Metroidvania design with creative items.
Universally acclaimed; a must-play masterpiece.
Lacks guidance; requires external guides.
Obscure collectibles; tedious for completionists.

Categories

Puzzle SolvingExplorationMetroidvaniaPlatformerEnvironmental CombatSingle-playerAlternate Reality GameAtmospheric Horror

Reviews (sample size): 2000
Helpful reviews: 70%
Unhelpful reviews: 29%
Protest reviews: 0%

93%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
7%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 3592
Negative points: 1152
Gameplay points: 579
Perf. points: 80
Rec. points: 1021
Misc points: 195

Point	Description	Importance
Stunning audio-visuals create immersion Description The game features detailed pixel art, impressive lighting, and particle effects that modernize the retro aesthetic. The sound design and minimalist music create an immersive and eerie atmosphere. The world evokes mystery and rewards exploration. Importance 97%	The game features detailed pixel art, impressive lighting, and particle effects that modernize the retro aesthetic. The sound design and minimalist music create an immersive and eerie atmosphere. The world evokes mystery and rewards exploration.	97%
Rewarding exploration and puzzle-solving Description The game rewards exploration and experimentation, with puzzles that offer multiple solutions and secrets hidden throughout the world. Discovering new mechanics and areas provides a constant sense of accomplishment. The game gently guides the player without hand-holding, respecting their intelligence and problem-solving skills. Importance 66%	The game rewards exploration and experimentation, with puzzles that offer multiple solutions and secrets hidden throughout the world. Discovering new mechanics and areas provides a constant sense of accomplishment. The game gently guides the player without hand-holding, respecting their intelligence and problem-solving skills.	66%
Creative items with varied uses Description The game features unique and creative items that have multiple uses and encourage experimentation. These items are well-integrated into the world and puzzles, providing a refreshing twist on traditional Metroidvania mechanics. Discovering new uses for items is a major part of the fun. Importance 13%	The game features unique and creative items that have multiple uses and encourage experimentation. These items are well-integrated into the world and puzzles, providing a refreshing twist on traditional Metroidvania mechanics. Discovering new uses for items is a major part of the fun.	13%
Fun and addictive gameplay Description The game is enjoyable and addictive, with many reviewers expressing a strong desire to keep playing. The game is also considered to be a good value for the money. However, these points are general enjoyment without specific details. Importance 11%	The game is enjoyable and addictive, with many reviewers expressing a strong desire to keep playing. The game is also considered to be a good value for the money. However, these points are general enjoyment without specific details.	11%
Meta puzzles and easter eggs Description The game's puzzles contain meta elements and out-of-game easter eggs, rewarding players for breaking the game by anticipating player actions. The game allows for sequence breaking, with players finding unintended solutions. The game features interesting mechanics and requires strategic thinking and problem-solving. Importance 9%	The game's puzzles contain meta elements and out-of-game easter eggs, rewarding players for breaking the game by anticipating player actions. The game allows for sequence breaking, with players finding unintended solutions. The game features interesting mechanics and requires strategic thinking and problem-solving.	9%
Excellent Metroidvania design Description The game is a top-tier Metroidvania that distills the most fun aspects of the genre. It features unique abilities and encourages exploration without excessive backtracking. The map design is excellent, and the game provides a satisfying sense of progression. Importance 8%	The game is a top-tier Metroidvania that distills the most fun aspects of the genre. It features unique abilities and encourages exploration without excessive backtracking. The map design is excellent, and the game provides a satisfying sense of progression.	8%
Large map, small file size Description The game has a surprisingly large and intricate map, with a lot of content packed into a small file size. The map design is very good, and there is a lot to explore beyond the main quest line. The game's small size is impressive considering the amount of content it offers. Importance 4%	The game has a surprisingly large and intricate map, with a lot of content packed into a small file size. The map design is very good, and there is a lot to explore beyond the main quest line. The game's small size is impressive considering the amount of content it offers.	4%