Oct 2024
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a blob? No? Well, strap in, because ‘Animal Well’ is here to guide you through the ins and outs of life as a gooey, squishy creature navigating a neon cavern packed with puzzling enigmas and cute, fuzzy friends! Welcome to a Metroidvania that's more layered than your family drama during the holidays!
‘Animal Well’ puts you in control of a gelatinous blob that may remind you of that time you accidentally microwaved your leftovers for too long. As you wiggle your way through a labyrinth filled with cute animals—who, frankly, might as well be auditioning for a ‘Best Supporting Character on TikTok’ award—you’ll have the chance to explore, run, jump, and sometimes acknowledge your existential dread. The gameplay revolves around exploration and puzzle-solving, but don't let the cuteness fool you; this is a game where thinking is as essential as the jumping. The developers boldly claim that the game's map may not be vast, but it’s packed with density! Definitely the kind of thing you’d want in your college apartment, but who needs pizza and couch space when you’re swimming in secrets? Enemies appear sporadically, looking cuter than your favorite online pet cat, yet somehow also as terrifying as a jumpscare in horror movies. A single mistimed jump can lead to your fluffy adversaries giving you a death that’s somehow both comical and embarrassing. And hey, if you die and think ‘What was I even doing?’, know that the game provides plenty of ‘huh?’ moments! Each run feels fresh, and every puzzle eventually leads to a satisfying ‘aha!’ as you feel smarter than your average human—unless, of course, you forget how to jump halfway across a chasm. The progression is similar to that classic Metroid map layout where you'll unlock new abilities and retrace your steps. Just when you think you've seen it all, the game whips out another layer of complexity that even your high school math teacher would be proud of! It’s like trying to explain nuclear physics to your pet goldfish—utterly confusing, but oddly rewarding for all parties involved. And did I mention the upgrades? I mean, who doesn’t love leveling up? Just when you think you’re getting the hang of things, new mechanics pop up like the annoyingly cheerful neighbor kind of popping, forcing you to coerce them into your game plan like an overly friendly cat trying to steal your attention while you're gaming.
Visually, ‘Animal Well’ is a treat! With pixel art that looks like it jumped right off a nostalgic 8-bit console, it’s the kind of delightful eye candy that makes your retro-loving heart beat faster. This game embraces a limited color palette and manages to turn it into a dazzling spectacle, much like turning your mom’s old patchy quilt into a modern art masterpiece (well, maybe without the quilts, but you get the point!). From soft glowing smokes to particle effects that dance around like they’ve got something to prove, every visual aspect contributes to the deep atmosphere and odd allure of the game. Unlike the ‘glitches happen but we love it’ look of some indie titles, 'Animal Well' is that polished, quirky indie favorite your hipster friends will rave about. The backgrounds filter and flow with a density and depth that makes you think you need glasses, enhancing the whole feeling that you're trapped in this wonderfully weird world where you, as a blob, are the hero! And don’t even get me started on the water; it moves more smoothly than a cat sliding off a table. Really amazing stuff, here!
In conclusion, ‘Animal Well’ is a joyously chaotic blend of puzzling platforming and vibrant storytelling that’s bound to keep you glued to your couch (or however comfortable your gaming setup is!). With mind-bending puzzles, adorable creatures, and the constant head-scratching that comes with exploration, you’ll finish this game not just as a player, but as a dedicated blob-ologist! So if you’re ready to jump, squish, and wiggle your way through dazzling pixelated landscapes littered with memories of childhood and little secrets waiting for you to unravel them, give ‘Animal Well’ a shot. Just remember: blobs have feelings, too. Do they deserve some love? Absolutely! But they also thrive on your confusion—and honestly, that’s the real adventure here. Score: 9/10, because every good game deserves a fluffy, adorable blob of bliss!
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