Animal Well (PS5) Review

Explore a vast, creature-filled labyrinth.

 Animal Well is the much-talked about indie game of the year, coming from single-developer, Billy Basso. It's a metroidvania game where you control a small blob trying to explore a large underground well full of animals, some of which aren't all friendly. Your goal is to collect four flames to reach the end boss while going after hidden eggs. 

 What's notable about Animal Well are its dazzling visuals and non-combative gameplay. You use mundane items like a yo-yo, slink, frisbee, and firecrackers to navigate much of the game's obstacles-- as well as doing solving some platforming-related puzzles. The presentation was great with the aforementioned visuals being a treat to behold with lots of eye-popping colors that pop and neat creature design. The soundtrack was good, though a bit sparse at times, but it complimented the tone of the game well.

 It was a nice adventure all-around, taking around seven hours to reach the standard ending. However, the true ending will require you to fully collect all hidden eggs, which will add to the overall playtime. Some gripes I had were that the platforming segments can be a chore to get through and if you leave the game for a day or two, you can be at a loss about where to go next due to a lack of direction, though you can place markers on the map to make things easier to remember. All in all, those looking to get immersed in a vibrant and creature-filled world should give Animal Well a play.