Metroidvania is a subgenre of video games focused on guided non-linearity and utility-gated exploration. The term, popularized by video game critic Jeremy Parish, is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania.
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Nintendo Life - https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/animal-well
Eurogamer - https://www.eurogamer.net/animal-well-review
Rock Paper Shotgun - https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/animal-well-review
I was excited before, but the reviews are utterly glowing - this has jumped to the top of my 'to-get' list!
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Purchased it as soon as it dropped, will be playing all day today. Haven't been this excited for a game in a long time.
I'm gonna get as soon as it's on Switch
Apparently the Switch version runs flawlessly!
It’s on Switch now! Released a couple of hours ago (UK)
Not in Europe…
Oh really? That's weird - it released for UK yesterday, so I assumed it released for the rest of Europe. What country are you in?
The fact the games file size is TINY I’m not surprised it runs great!
Same here. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the release trailer.
So since you’ve had a day to play, thoughts? As a Noita player, I found out about Animal Well from the streamer FuryForged and my god it’s fucking cool! But confusing and requires THINKING. Which I love :)
Question: I’m not a huge fan of platformers (it took me so fucking LONG to get to the frenzied flame in Elden Ring, for example), is this HEAVY platforming? Is it at least a little forgiving in that regard if so?
I finished it yesterday, the main "quest" or I don't know how to call it can be finished in around 5-6 hours. It is true what they say, after the credits roll you feel like you have barely scratched the surface, this game makes you feel tiny in a huge world and I loved every second of it. The puzzles, the items, the way they "teach you" the mechanics by just giving you the things you need and you need to find out how to solve the problem you have with the tools the game provides. It's my favorite metroidvania of the year so far in an already really good year.
You definitely have to have some platforming skill to play this game, but the main focus is on exploration and environmental puzzles. The platforming is just getting around to do the puzzles.
Jason Schrier describing this game as Metroid and Outer Wilds fusion and seeing the video review from Skill Up about this game has me incredibly excited. I'm also in the middle of playing Outer Wilds for the first time so I could not be more excited to play this!
How is Outer Wilds btw - as good as they say? I own it, started it last month, played for about an hour just exploring the opening town, but the game never saved for some reason.
I haven’t been back to it yet but I always hear good things about it.
Outer Wilds is a 10/10 and an absolute masterpiece but it’s not on rails at all and it’s in large part your participation and curiosity that make it so.
I know this might sound super dumb but I dropped Outer Wilds because I couldn’t manage to work the ship controls (PS4). Should I give it another go? I’m just afraid I’ll get frustrated with the controls and just be bitter about what everyone describes as a great experience
The ship controls are a bit finicky but you do get used to them and most of the time you are just heading straight for a planet so not too much to worry about.
There are times where fine control is needed but I don't think there are many if any places where there is time pressure on your flying ability (or at least a very strict one), so you can always take it easy and go slow.
Its far and way easily my favourite game and if you love discovery and exploration I don't think there is a game that captures it better in both gameplay and themes. Highly worth the effort if you can.
IMO, Outer Wilds is the best example there is of videogames as art.
I don't want to hype it up too much, but it is the only game of its kind.
Animal Well being compared to Outer Wilds turned Animal Well from a "I'll get around to it" to a "I will play this game tonight".
Outer Wilds is genuinely a top 3 game of all time, and I haven't rolled credits yet. When someone says that it's one of the best games ever made they aren't joking. I've never had so many mind blowing moments in a game before, it's simultaneously simple and complex at once and you never feel like you've hit a wall. There's always a breadcrumb trail somewhere.
Have you tried Noita? That’s another 10/10 game for me, VERY much in a top 5 game of all time contender, that I’ll blow your mind as well. I don’t want to spoil it but it is WELL worth playing if you haven’t yet. Just do yourself a favor and complete the “tutorial” before you give up on it (it’s very difficult but that’s part of what makes it amazing), but remember: you can go in EVERY DIRECTION, not just down ;)
You have to go back! Absolutely one of the most rewarding exploration games I've ever played, you really need to go into the whole thing blind. Just put a bit more time into it!
I wonder if it didn't save because you never left that opening area, hm. Weird! But I can't recommend it enough
Thanks for the info! Sounds exciting - I will be getting back to it then. Aside for Animal Well, I don’t have much else on my gaming plate so I will get to Outer Wilds next
Outer Wilds is probably my favorite game of all time. I try not to hype it to much because us fans might build un realistic expectations but damn between experiencing the drug LSD or Outer Wilds for the first time again I would probably pick Outer Wilds.
I have it on PS extra, I'm planning to play it right after I finish AW. I went to bed late playing AW and now I'm playing it again. Goddamit Billy I had shit to do today
Okay I need to start AW myself !! Been so distracted by hades 2
Outer Wilds and The Outer Worlds are very different games. Which one are you talking about?
Oh yes I know, - that’s my bad. Typing mistake on my end. Not a fan of “Worlds” (though still better than Starfield)
Yeah, people mix up the names a lot. Doesn't help that both games released in the same year.
The game didn't save because you were just wandering around the tutorial area. You didn't do anything to save. The game starts properly when you get the launch codes and take off.
He's talking about Outer Wilds, the tiny planet spaceship game. I think you're talking about the oblivion fallout in space game.
Outer wilds is great
That was my fault, yeah I know the difference as I own both. (To be clear I was asking about Wilds)
Probably my favorite game ever. Play it without looking anything up. Don't worry about the game saving- everything you get from the opening town is information in your brain.
It’s an all time classic! Might be the most innovative and immersive video game of the last twenty years
Outer Wilds is a top 3 game I've played in the last decade.
If you like open form puzzle games, it's amazing.
If you're looking for some action or combat, there is none here.
While not technically true, it's almost certain that the game does not start saving your progress until you've made it into space.
My favorite game of all time, please play it and avoid any and all spoilers
i beat it a few weeks ago and ive been sitting around my house like that escobar meme ever since
If you just explored the opening town then there's nothing for the game to have saved really - you say "the game never saved" as if that means you will have lost your progress and have to do everything again, but you can't have done anything that you would need to do again as almost everything in that town is entirely optional and inconsequential (e.g. chatting to random villagers). You don't need to do any of that again and it would probably take you two minutes at most to catch back up to wherever you left off
It's easily the best video game I've ever played. That said, the developers were targeting a very specific subset of video game players, so how you'll respond to it depends a lot on what you like about video games.
Outer Wilds doesn't save progress — your progression is entirely in terms of the knowledge you gain as you play. Also, just FYI, the opening town isn't at all representative of the gameplay as a whole; it's just there to introduce some story elements and mechanics and prime you for the actual game.
Since you already own it I'd definitely encourage you to go back to it and give it your undivided attention, at least long enough to decide if it works for you, because if it does it can be a literally unforgettable experience. And I'd also just emphasize what you've probably already heard: go in blind as much as humanly possible, because what makes it so special is uncovering its mysteries and solving its puzzles on your own.
idk if its for everyone but i do urge everyone to give it a try . cuz if it works its amazing and sticks like few games do . but also you can't replay it per say so hopefully don't watch any video and get spoiled
That’s honestly how I feel about Noita, it’s one of those games that everyone should give a go to. I’ve played maybe about an hour of Outer Wilds so far, didn’t get very far or too deep (obviously, since it’s a multi-layered game) but it’s on my list to get back to after Animal Well.
It's better than they say. It doesn't matter how good someone said it was, it's even better than that. Among the best games of all time status.
Outer Worlds and Outer Wilds are two completely different games.
Outer Wilds is def my game of the decade. Every gameplay idea is so perfect and interwoven with the story. And the whole thing is just amazing at being playful and creating a sense of awe and discovery. You should play it and so should everyone else that likes exploration in games.
I want to give a counter point to the glowing praise, as well deserved as it probably is. I found the controls clunky and never really got the hang of them, which to me completely negated the joy of exploration and discovery because the process of doing it was unenjoyable to me. I ended up falling away from the game and never going back to it.
I've never even heard of this before but it being compared to Outer Wilds means I will definitely check it out
Just saw LRG is doing a physical of this. That's perfect for me as I have a backlog of games and can get through some of that before I get this. Never heard of the game till literally right now and it looks awesome
Oh, nice. Has been quite a while for me, but I guess I am paying their website a visit.
It has a release date of Nov. to Dec. little bit of a wait but if you don't mind that, go for it! That's what I'm doing lol
Yeah I am getting this and Rogue Legacy 2 from them
It's phenomenal.
I had never heard of this until about an hour ago. Watched the trailer and skim read those reviews. Bought on Switch. Looking forward to playing this evening. Thanks!
I think this might be one of the more divisive MVs not because its bad but because its really niche. I think a ton of people are going to like what the game has to offer but I can also see a ton of people trying it and just not being engaged by it. I really do hope it does well though.
Played it for a few hours.. So far it's a good puzzle platformer, but apparently it gets more interesting in terms of items later on. I guess that is when it'll start feeling more like a metroidvania, because now it's mostly puzzles with slightly underwhelming character movement.
Also feels like it belongs on a playlist with Rain World (I liked RW)
Yeah I have 2 items and they are cool and fun to use but still waiting for it to feel as special as people say.
The art and atmosphere is really good though, top tier. And some of the level/puzzle designs are really cool. But its not a revolutionary game, at least so far.
And it does have quite a bit of lag on PS5. It stays above 30 but dips way below 60 at times. Havent seen anyone mention that yet.
This game is so overhyped. If he didn’t get a popular youtuber to publish it nobody would care about this game and it would go under the radar. So many are foaming at the mouth calling it a masterpiece. Bro it’s a blob jumping around totally random stuff. Nice debut with some fun little mechanics but dang people fall for hype so easily. Definitely not worth $25. Glad I got to try it on PS Plus.
You're being so disingenuous here it's unreal. If you describe any game like this, like a child, then it sounds equally as crappy.
I never said it was bad. It is a fun little game but it is overhyped, getting 10/10 from bunch of people and media outlets. It’s not a masterpiece. It just has youtuber influence backing.
It sounds like you're just not that in to the genre, and that's okay. Just because something doesn't resonate with you doesn't mean that it's over hyped. It's a brilliant game that also happened to get picked up by a YouTuber who published it.
kinda figured when I saw the Dunkey video that it was more of an ad than usual. My lil cousin got ripped a while back on the "Choo Choo Charlie" game, where he was pre-programmed by youtubers to make every excuse in the book why the game wasn't good.
"It was made by just one developer!" he told me.
"So was Salt & Sanctuary" I replied.
"This is early access" he exclaimed!
"it will never leave EA" I explained.
Pushing mid-games to kids is really the best bet when it comes to maxxxing those profit$.
Can't say for sure about this yet, but the amount of "IT'S AMAZING" with no details otherwise starts to make me think that it's a vocal fanbase, not a collective decision that the game is good.
Just play it and get off reddit like seriously lulz here
I felt that at first but as things progressed the game really grew on me
As I had hoped, it looks like we have a true instant classic here, like Return of Obra Dinn and The Outer Wilds.
why is obra jinn liked so much? that game is incredibly painful on the eyes, judging by the trailer.
Speaking as someone who doesn't typically enjoy puzzle games, it was super immersive, creepy, and mysterious and one of my favorite gaming experiences in recent years. It's Lovecraftian and captures the era very well. I can't say the art style ever bothered me in the least, though, so I can't speak to that point.
your description reminds me of the "the room" games which I loved, but those also looked great.
LOVECRAFTIAN, YOU SAY??? Goddamnet, I should’ve played it looooooooooooong before now but I never knew. Thank you kind stranger! The contrast IS a little rough on the eyes but I don’t give two shits, I’m gonna play the hell out of it :)
Did you play Dredge? It’s fairly Lovecraftian and another ocean-y game.
I haven't played Dredge yet, but it's been on my wishlist for a while. Just waiting for a good sale.
Ah you lost me at creepy, sorry
That knocks out an alarming percentage of games, really.
To clarify by what I mean with creepy without spoiling anything, you're investigating the disappearance of a ship crew for a life insurance company and need to find evidence for what happened to each person. You do this through exploring frozen scenes of events that can explicate these disappearances. So there aren't any jumpscares or anything like that.
Game looks absolutely amazing
Thats genuinely ironic to hear someone say when it literally won nest art direction at the game awards.
It’s such a unique concept with an execution that’s unmatched in the niche genre of detective games. You have a pocket watch that lets you time travel back to the moment of someone’s death, but time is frozen so your information is limited to the victim’s immediate surrounding environment and the last thing they heard. Hence, with this limited info you have to deduce the way the person died, who killed them and how, and this deductive gameplay makes it one of the best puzzle games I have ever played. You have to pay attention to surnames, marital status, accents, distance etc. to figure all this out. The game never holds your hand, while also never feeling obtuse.
To your point about the aesthetic, you get used to it, though if you don’t like green you can change it in the settings. Personally, I loved the gritty pirate theme and the attention to detail when it came to costumes, accents and historical accuracy.
When dunkey announced big mode, he definitely made it sound like he's not gonna publish games that he doesn't think are really good, so I'm happy to see that it was true.
As a new publisher to the space the first game he stamped his name on had to be good and they definitely delivered
Man how did this fly under my radar? Looks good. How are you all hearing about these upcoming releases?
Dunkey
Metroidvania guru
First lone fungus update now this.
Played it for a couple hours this morning. I can already tell it's something special. Like slowly figuring out a puzzle box that also acts as the environment. It's awesome.
Hey, are you guys talking about Animal Well??!
I heard it was like a cross between Halo 2 and Halo 3!
what is this meme? every review on Steam says it is like Halo2 and Halo3 wtf does that even mean it makes no sense
videogamedunkey is the youtuber who owns/runs Bigmode, the publisher behind Animal Well. It's a joke from his video promoting the game.
The person behind the company who published this game is YouTuber videogamedunkey who made a joke video to promote the game where one of the jokes he says in the video is that it was like Halo 2 meets Halo 3. So its just his fans making a reference to that video.
which is a pretty funny joke tbh. They even got randos repeating it (I think tongue in cheek) in the video they did
They're not randos, they're his rabid fanbase. You only have to read the comments of a Dunkey video to see that his fans just obsessively repeat every joke he's ever told.
I really enjoy Dunkey's videos but his fanbase are one of the most tedious to ever exist. Just unfunny people repeating lines from jokes Dunkey told one time.
Thats like Halo 5!
It’s truly the first well-type game
You talking about Animal Well? It comes out on May 9th.
Why do I keep seeing this joke
because so many people have original thoughts
I've never seen anyone make this comment before. Sarcastically saying people have original thoughts? Oh man, did you think of that by yourself? So original. So innovative!
my bad, I'll try to repeat whatever phrase a youtuber said in a video within the last week for the 1000th time in the same thread , that'll show that I'm not just a parrot for sure!