Jason Schreier tweeted this game is "a cross between Metroid and Outer Wilds" and I don't know what the hell he's talking about. I guess he said this because it has phenomenal puzzle design, but I don't think that garners a comparison point. Just say "this is an incredible puzzle-Metroidvania" instead. He said this and others echoed it, so it made me jump on the game instantly because I'm desperate for another Outer Wilds. Instead I got a game where I'm a little blorbo. I don't regret this decision! I loved every moment of being a blob. Animal Well will be memorable to me for three reasons: its aesthetic, use of the Metroidvania genre, and puzzle design. I'll get a little into spoilers here I guess, but know that I recommend the game wholeheartedly if these sound like they appeal to you.

You don't need me to sell you on the aesthetic if you watch the trailers. Lighting in pixelated games is always a hit or miss with me since it's hard to really convey that in a 2D space, but Animal Well does it in a way that's outright mystical. Really pay attention to the visuals of the firecrackers when they go off. Each area has its own aesthetic, which is pretty common in Metroidvanias, but they do a good job of conveying a lot. I eventually gave areas nicknames because of this, which I think is a sign of a good game. There's the dog area, for example, where there's a ton of dogs, dog statues, and a dog related item. That speaks for itself. The factory is another standout location to me just for the hanging cages, and the final area is amazing aesthetically.

Its use of the Metroidvania genre is another big point with me. It's refreshing to play a game like this because you are playing as an incredibly cute little guy with cute little tools. I didn't realize how much of a positive this would be, but I'm accustomed to Metroidvanias like Metroid, Axiom Verge, or Momodora, where these upgrades have some level of gravitas to them. There's always a Double Jump. There's always a "go through small gaps" upgrade. When I got a slinky as a major upgrade, I felt like I wanted to call over the waiter at this BIGMODE restaurant and say "Hi, I ordered the Animal Well game, and the chef... Billy Basso was it... he gave me a Metroidvania where my upgrade is a slinky. Like the metal toy?" and Dunkey says "Ah, that's one of our best." and walked away. Fast forward an hour and I realize every Metroidvania should have a slinky item. How the hell is a slinky one of the best upgrades in a game I've seen? I feel humbled by the metal toy.

Puzzle design feels right to talk about now, since this is where the game shines. I haven't felt this happy going through puzzles in a game since the original Portal. This game has so much fun with the weird little tools it gives you. Again, Slinky. You can place it down and it'll sit there, holding down any buttons there. If it's leaning on a lower floor, it'll move there and then lurch the other side forward, since it's a slinky. Props to them for making this item make sense. Yeah, slinkies do that, duh. Suddenly through you have a button at the bottom of 1 block staircases that you can watch the slinky slowly slink down to, and the game now wants you to run to a spot by the time that slinky hits the button to solve a puzzle. It's just fun. The other items really keep up with this. I'm a big fan of the way the flute looks and sounds, for example.

All that said, this game is amazing, and I 100% recommend it. If you're a fan of Metroidvanias, you should try this incredibly original Metroidvania. If you've bounced off Metroidvanias in the past, maybe give this one a shot! It's so original and puzzle focused, this might be the one for you.

This feels like a fake game you'd see in the background of like. A 2000s Nickelodeon show. Not in that "oh its generic and just what a guy who doesn't play video games thinks video games are" and more like "the team behind the show wanted to take the piss out of a game their kids play and added as much weird shit as possible"
I do like a lot how all the weird pupation mutation stuff is played somewhat straight and not like "ooooh this game is FUCKED... this cutesy game just went FUCKO MODE." because thats way more common in every indie game than people want to recognize

This game is a masterpiece. It's full of charming and memorable characters, fun and engaging puzzle mechanics, and a gripping narrative that impressed me from beginning to end.

The sheer display of creativity in Ghost Trick is absolutely astounding and I'm just in shock after just recently finishing the game. I haven't felt as compelled from playing a video game in quite a long time. What an absolute triumph!

It has one of the best stories in the medium as far as I'm concerned and has easily become one of my new favorites.

I really couldn't get into this game. Maybe I'll circle back round, but it's so unclear what you need to do you just die over and over.

I'm all for not hand-holding, but this is too much of a barrier to getting into this game. Sadly, I can imagine Rain World probably loses a lot of potential players this way.

The people that stick it out seem to love it, but I just can't apply so much time to the game in the hopes I enjoy it later.