Austin strongly recommends: Animal Well (Review)

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Animal Well is not like any metroidvania you've played before, and we really can't explain why without spoiling it. You kinda just need to experience it for yourself.
Review code provided by Bigmode
Video written, voiced and edited by Austin B.
#Review #AnimalWell #Bigmode
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[@SkillUp]

Thanks Brilliant for sponsoring the video. 👉 To try everything Brilliant has to offer for free for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/SkillUp/. You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription.

[@EepsayYukay]

I expected no less from someone who was able to effortlessly clear Bowser's Big Bean Burrito.

[@LeoStep93]

but he's only a publisher

[@aBitTedious]

​@@LeoStep93a publisher who's cleared Bowser's Big Bean burrito

[@kurtrussell4527]

@@LeoStep93 publishers put out games they like and no one has better taste than Mr bean burrito himself

[@gandalfthegrey1873]

They call this one the Knack Killer.

[@Retrofire-47]

Knack... is baaackkk

[@hisokacranel7268]

Knack 3 clone

[@doctorfantastic00]

The dunkey comments have invaded

[@MrEditorsSideKick]

@@doctorfantastic00 Good.

[@gador_xo]

What is the lore of this game and Knack, because I've seen references to Knack and I don't get it why?

[@WhatIsACountry]

Happy to see the first “Well-like” game is off to a good start!

[@Jumsut_]

The first well type game, and hopefully the first of many more to come.

[@NekoBatyx]

You mean the first 'well-like' game is 'well liked'.

[@TheCrewExpendable]

@@Jumsut_ It already is! This is very, very much in the same vein as Rainworld.

[@thelastmethbender]

@@TheCrewExpendablethat makes me so excited to try to this as rain world felt like the first of a genre with much potential

[@TheCrewExpendable]

@@thelastmethbender I like how Austin described Animal Well, still a Metroidvania, but really focusing on the core of exploration and learning the mechanics of the world, environment, and enemies. Rainworld and Animal Well pushing the Metroidvania genre in a genuinely new and interesting direction, not just another game with a double jump, dash, health upgrade, etc. unlocks.

[@noimageavailable2934]

I'm happy to see KZbinrs use their platforms to support other independent creatives.

[@devak45167]

Just like how Austin lets that other guy (forgot the name) do videos sometimes. A real pro helping out the little guy, I respect that

[@noimageavailable2934]

@@devak45167 Austin is such a humble guy 🙏

[@Random_dud31]

​@@devak45167Come on man. His name is Shill Up

[@lonewolfranger]

​@@Lakitu_89 ha! Somebody is having a bad day!

[@antiproductive4131]

​@@Lakitu_89 This game only gets attention bc of dunkey anyway, no one would care otherwise tbh

[@DavidJCO]

Is it May 9th already? Today Animal Well comes out! I heard it is a mixture of Halo 2 and Halo 3

[@fabricioroseno6782]

Halo 5 more like it

[@gtfgoogleface]

halo wars 2 more like​@@fabricioroseno6782

[@ActNasty5]

And Knack

[@InfectiousViper]

It’s like Halo 2 meets Halo 3!

[@amoliski]

Oh, a mix of Halo 2 and Halo 3? Are you talking about Animal Well that comes out on May 9th?

For a better gameplay experience, be sure to play this game at Hideo Kojima's house while having a blindfold on and never, NEVER leave your controller plugged in for your little brother to take over. The first Dunkey approved game. History has been made.

[@kingshalabies]

Only play with the wheel controls

[@andrepaulo1000]

Dunkey is probably so proud

[@maolchiaran]

I mean it's pretty incredible to come out the gate as a publisher and have your first game be utterly incredible

[@wuwei473]

Here comes the moneyyyyyyyy

[@danielx1224]

​@@wuwei473 UH-OH!!!!

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

​@@wuwei473 And I better get it too!

[@thirdeyenz]

Well it's like Halo 2 meets Halo 3 so who wouldn't be?

[@ZonsoAvalune]

this game has TITANIC Rain World vibes and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible

[@drstuffy]

My IMMEDIATE first thought! I’m sold

[@michaelmonstar4276]

This game will sink??

[@kirkenstiensmonster6522]

There's an enemy in the SE that reminds me of the slug/rabbit, slubbit. Even has a little sheild and spear.

[@Pick18]

What's titanic rainworld?

[@ZonsoAvalune]

@@Pick18 “Titanic” is an adjective meaning very large. Rain World is a video game

[@nike_toki7ify]

33 MEGABYTES?? WHAT

[@michaelmonstar4276]

Ikr, it's not gonna fit on a diskette. They must think we're made of money or something!

[@Lolwoo1]

Western developers have to stop making their games so huge gonna take me days to download that

[@willwunsche6940]

​@@Lolwoo1Yeah I don't even know if my entire state has 33 megabytes that's insanity!

[@GepardenK]

It's likely on a custom engine. 33 megs sounds about right for this kind of game when you're doing it from scratch without the overhead of a generic engine.

[@legochickenguy4938]

@@GepardenKit is. The developer said he made the engine for it.

[@amithsasidhar6466]

Austin has been really good at reviews lately, he clearly understands the soul of skillup and what the channel stands for. Keep doing what you do Austin!!!

[@mrsupertash]

I was already mesmerized after the first 30 minutes. The game is pure delight. Now 8 hours in and over 32 found eggs later, I just can't stop exploring more and cracking every single thing in there. These solo dev games come along once or twice a decade. Basso did everything from scratch, even the game engine, and also ported the PS5 and Switch versions himself. Everything about this is impressive beyond comprehension.

[@azap1378]

This is really cool actually. A solo developer is being backed by a youtuber who's using his audience to create a publishing label, reviewed by a channel with an emphasis on putting a spotlight on indie content. I guarantee I would never have heard about this game without the help of at least one of those things.

[@DrEcho]

You guys talking about Animal Well?

[@simonphoenix2563]

I heard it come out on May 9th

[@joshuablank9171]

Yeah I heard it's like Halo 2 meets Halo 3

[@Evoke-Chaos]

@@joshuablank9171 which is like halo 5

[@Kean_Bean]

I hear it comes with a free bag of Wonder Bread if you Wishlist it.

[@KABLAMMATS]

Well shout out to Dunkey, gonna ride his d for algorithm for a while.

[@gctypo2838]

Hats off to Dunkey for proving that a good eye for a project with potential is the most important thing for a publisher.

[@ChaplinDan]

Austin, its great you let the new guy do the ad read. Great Review as always!

[@turkysanwtch]

VHS lines? Oh god I know I'm old but I'm pretty sure those are CRT lines man.

[@mix1ro]

critical race theory lines? 😠 /s

[@Itharl]

Showing your age there (me too, honestly). These kids have never seen a CRT screen, VHS would be the only thing they might have come into contact with at this point XD

[@massivive]

gave me a twinge of unease to think that the average reviewer wouldn't know this nowadays

[@geeguy7429]

Scanlines iirc

[@turkysanwtch]

@@geeguy7429 Yup!

[@alexyeager7995]

Dunkey must've played a demo for this and gone "ahhh.....masterpiece"

[@evanf1997]

When Dunkey said he was going Big Mode, I think he meant it, this game looks amazing

[@EmblemParade]

Intelligently and sensitively reviewed by Austin. You exactly hit all the things I love about metroidvanias as well as my exhaustion with how its tropes have been "played out". Animal Well is an instant purchase for me. Shout out to a certain digital toy small equine for his excellent eye for the joys of our pursuit. Big ups to Big Mode.

[@impendingnarcissist7348]

Halo 2 plus Halo 3 is a tough bar to pass but by god he did it

[@simonphoenix2563]

Is that like Halo 5？

[@harrypearson6675]

@@simonphoenix2563 no. Halo 2 + Halo 3 = Animal well

[@acreativename2781]

​@@harrypearson6675its such simple math, people are dumb 🙄

[@phos4875]

I'm dumb what's the context

[@michaelmonstar4276]

@@simonphoenix2563 More like Knack 5, but you couldn't even comprehend that level.

[@lanzer22]

All the Dunkey style comments here put a smile on my face.

[@DanKaschel]

I hate it so much. Love dunkey, hate the "this joke never gets old" mentality of his fans.

[@peterpeterpumpkineater7318]

​@@DanKaschelLighten up.

[@DanKaschel]

@@peterpeterpumpkineater7318 this is AFTER me lightening up lol

[@letsjustlaugh1592]

​. What kind of community is more loving than dunkys? He captured love in a mostly toxic world. Playing along is a small release to from that. You're loved to brother.

[@Nimajneb42069]

@@DanKaschelwhat does this even mean lol

[@tijgerlil]

I am SO happy you left in a WTF moment Austin. Sometimes when I watch reviewers I feel like I miss getting "actual" reactions from moments in the games. I so enjoyed you allowed a moment like that to be part of your review.

[@punishedbung4902]

Animal Well? That game comes out may 9th.

[@diegospartano1550]

may 9th? that's the day animal well comes out

[@wolfclaw9949]

Hey have you guys heard of Animal well?

[@Ryked96]

@@wolfclaw9949 I heard it's like Halo 2 and Halo 3 combined.

[@cchutney348]

Is the mode beeg?

[@meridiasbeacon7669]

The best reviews on the platform! Keep being great and full of passion, much much love, SkillUp!

[@babalovesyou]

Austin your input to this channel is greatly appreciated!

[@gavo7911]

Austin talks about this game the way Ralph talks about Outer Wilds

[@erichall090909]

It’s kinda similar

[@davidg2927]

It’s cool to see people that love video games develop other good games

[@nebulastar3087]

The visuals and sound design are actually so good.

[@DrMe-om7bd]

Little Austin Acoustics @ 2:55!

[@TayoEXE]

If the first rule of film is "show don't tell," then the first rule for learning game mechanics in video games is ideally "learn from experience," where you are free to try out mechanics and learn on your own in an intuitive way. Overly complicated tutorials can really sometimes ruin the flow of a good game.

[@modestpignut]

Play don't show

[@lanceseaman88]

Man I'm sitting here enjoying this review when I decide to turn on my PlayStation to check out the games in PS+ extra and there's Animal Well waiting to be played. So anyone with PS+ extra you can play this right now.

[@GodessHel]

Love being able to hear Austin shit his pants live

[@RizoftheDead]

This wasn't on my radar at all, but I instantly had to buy it as soon as I saw the style and puzzle design. Really looking forward to checking this out now!

[@gcaviner]

Ugh I can’t wait to be able to buy this one, looks so good!

[@Loaderiser]

Somehow gives me some La-Mulana vibes. Probably due to that 'no hand holding, figure it out yourself' nature of the game that you described. Puzzles seem way less obscure though, which, knowing La-Mulana, most definitely won't be a bad thing for some 99 % of the players (myself included).

[@BknMoonStudios]

La-Mulana puzzles literally gave me headaches.

[@jonathangrover3176]

Its reviews like this that really make me want to go wishlist Animal Well on Steam

[@slackstarfish8133]

This game sold me fentanyl in the back of Walmart

[@crome2sniper]

It's called challenge mode , you play after ingesting

[@tim8778]

Good job Austin! I'll be checking out that recommendation of yours because this shit looks hype

[@starfieldsignal]

An auto thumbs up for Austin, keep it rocking dude!

[@henrye3935]

Awesome video! Can I recommend Crow Country next for an indie spotlight?

[@dox_plays]

i have only heard of this in passing but the artwork creeped me out - so this surprises me

[@rajpatel3189]

Austin’s best review so far

[@rickrhone8420]

so happy for bigmode, dunkey, and everyone involved

[@quietwulf]

So wonderful to see this old school design sensibility creep it’s way back into game design. A return to games that demand the player flex their creativity and problem solving chops, fantastic stuff.

[@Wolfgang_0712]

Happy to see a small KZbin like dunky getting recognized by skill up

[@nchldmn]

This game also highlights why VideoGameDunkey created the publisher in the first place: to create videogames that are innovative and fun.

[@michaelmonstar4276]

Yea, cause there are none, right...

[@randomguy6679]

@@michaelmonstar4276not as many as there should be.

[@cchutney348]

​@@michaelmonstar4276 Who hurt you?

[@arthurdent9281]

I imagine that young kids today will look at old CRTs the way i looked at those old room-sized computers from the 60s. "This state-of-the-art computer can solve an algebra equation in under a minute!"

[@Ashtarte3D]

That feeling that so many Metroidvanias have the same toolsets isn't a new idea. It's often jokingly referenced in the concept of "TTDJ" or "time til double jump." It's why some games like Axiom Verge feel so special because they don't rely on all of the Metroidvania standards and give you some interesting new stuff.

[@zikarisg9025]

I didn't know it comes on Switch as well, will get it there. It sounds like as a Tunic and Outer Wilds fan, this will scratch a similar itch!

[@GaaraSama1983]

I think it will. Around 15h into the game and don't wanna tell too much cause you know these kind of games are best experienced as blind as possible. The only advice I would give, just let it flow and don't be surprised seeing the credits roll after 6-8h.

[@johnnypopstar]

I would advise PC, if only because scrawling all over the map becomes something of a necessity, and doing that with a mouse is far easier than a thumbstick (you don't use a mouse for normal play, just scrawling on the map)

[@beatnik09]

The lack of story and minimal text remind me of hyperlight drifter as well. Looks really good! I should pick this up

[@KGanza]

Boutta buy this day 1 FOR SURE

[@eclipsicalbluestocking1182]

This game's way of getting new abilities and experimenting with them to solve puzzles sounds quite similar to Tunic

[@chrishastings7583]

I was going to add it to my Playstation wishlist only to find out that it is INCLUDED! ... Ralph why you didn't say this on this week in gaming yesterday? Or did I just miss it

[@henkaan7741]

It kinda reminds me of Rain World

[@petexn7573]

i love everything about this game except: -the m.disc run -being close to the end and just staring at a map with barely visible pixels to signify what's in a room and being like "....i have literally no idea" if you missed some notable things going through an area and the only option is to crawl through literally every room trying to find something you missed, i am beyond lost currently lmao

[@thechosenjuan5059]

good review from Austin and appreciate him trying not to spoil puzzle solutions and stuff

[@shagaru1234]

this looks like a cool jrpg!

[@ShadowTaiga]

stopped the review after you said the review might spoil the experience. bought the game and played it. amazing

[@AkashSingh-jv5im]

The game looks absolutely stunning. Have to check it out.

[@Squeaky_Ben]

Good that you had the same reaction to that dog spirit as I had. I had no idea I was getting myself into a horror game honestly

[@arctother5176]

Sounds amazing! One thing, I’d say that the PoP Lost Kingdom-while it plays the hits in terms of metroidvania skills-it also innovates quite handily.

[@BRUXXUS]

Had my eye on this one for a long time. The visual style and colors evoke something so unique in me. And, as a huge fan of games like Noita, I really want to give this a go, and definitely gonna pick this up!

[@gracelandtoo6240]

Truly the first well-type game

[@thekeccles1996]

I'm waiting for Animal Well: Remastered -- like where is it already?

[@actruse]

wow it looks like an interesting game and its on ps plus too. I will definitely play it

[@permanentsigh]

Looking forward to Dunkey’s review 😜

[@gracelandtoo6240]

1:25 Okay, see you once I've played it haha I figured it'd be one if those best to play blind-type games

[@KaiSchSp]

Title is all I need. Buying this on for sure!!

[@gdx1037]

It's interesting to see that Dunkey chose for his first published game to have a review embargo for the release date. Pretty sure he's complained about that before.

[@davidmills47]

Tonight's top story: Naked apes conquer planet and are hypocrites. More at 11.

[@leberschnitz]

I only see that as a problem if there are pre-order bonuses, which wasn't the case here.

[@AkashSingh-jv5im]

It's a game without much marketing budget. These reviews will be most of the marketing it's going to get. So having the game available when these videos come out is great. Noone was pre-ordering "Animal well".

[@stefandinu6389]

Yeah but the game turned out good and it doesn't try to scam you

[@shagaru1234]

dunkey is always a hypocrit

[@Bagginsess]

0:32 "indie publishing label" you can't be independent if you have a publisher or do we just not care what words mean anymore?

[@vlonewolfv]

Glad it's getting good reviews. I played it twice at PAX and it just wasn't for me despite liking metroidvania's. Ah well, not every game connects.

[@danielcaceres2676]

No dislikes ,must be another master piece

[@mamspugeti6931]

Is there a way to lessen/disable some of the post-processing effects? The blurring really makes my eyes uncomfortable, but the game itself seems pretty great

[@mattmorrisson9607]

I've been playing Animal Well for the last few days and can't agree with this review enough. That sense of discovery is hard to find in games these days, and I'm loving it!

[@StevoDesign]

3 minutes convinced me

[@chirijaden]

Why is there not a link to the game in the description?

[@MarioGoatse]

This looks amazing. I bought it to support Dunkey, but I would have bought it anyway cause it looks cool. Can’t wait to start playing it

[@izan6366]

kindof think u should drop the "indie spotlight" image on the thumbnails, i think it's cooler for them to just be viewed as games and not indies (also some people that are against indies might not click where they could otherwise for some titles) i kinda think its cooler to NOT treat them as the little guys that ur giving a spotlight to and instead as equals to the big dudes that u treat the same

[@KibblesDoesStuff]

Finally a main reviewer upload

[@yaboyjay7202]

Some call it the next Knack 2

[@Dreadjaws]

I've been having this game on my wishlist since I first heard of it, and I'm very glad it's finally released. Unfortunately, it committed one small crime that I cannot get past: it released on the same day as Crow Country and that one has to be my priority.

[@onyplays]

Man, i can wait to sit down and play this game. I've downloaded it in my ps5 cause its free for plus members and played roughly 20 minutes before i went to bed (it was way pass midnight and i had to work in the morning). And i can't stop to think about this game. The atmosphere just caught me unprepared. I need to get back to this world.

[@junkoenoshima4457]

the art reminds me a bit of Knytt

[@SackamanjaroX]

Well I was sold at the intro

[@amidnightstroll376]

Going to look fantastic on switch oled

[@TaylorFalk21]

"What the foooook is that" Did i get that right? lol

[@sosarene]

Great game ! Thank you for let us know about these gems !

[@NickSchoenfeld]

Been playing it, and because of the difficult but rewarding sequence breaks, the flow state of platforming (like Celeste), and the many branching paths, this game will be speedrunner’s dream. It feels easy to learn but difficult to master.

[@mcgibs]

This game has *amazing* vibes. The sound design, the shiny holofoil looking palette, the way the game somehow makes normally non-threatening animals seem so menacing. This game has the freakiest, most terrifying wiener dog I've ever seen in any game ever.

[@Nolasco.]

This game reminds me so much of one of my favorite Metroidvania named Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials, love that game ❤️ Thanks for the video bro 👍🏼

[@Klaatew]

This is my GOTY. Absolute bliss.

[@suburbantimewaster9620]

It certainly looks like a fun game. Though it’s a strange coincidence that, after watching both Animal Farm movies, I see a review for a game called Animal Well.

[@mrthewhite2620]

I expect the reason the game is so small is because the dev wrote the game engine himself, it's purpose built so it's not bloated like Unity or Unreal is. It feels like a real throwback to the NES/SNES days when these games had to fit on ROMs that were just a few dozen megs or less in capacity.

[@MrEL91N]

7:04 INTERLINKED

[@michaelandrews117]

Been playing it for a few hours now. Solid 6/10. Doesn't do anything amazing but just does everything it wants to do pretty well. As someone who thinks games like Outer Wilds & Rainworld are pretty overrated, this game (much like those two) has yet to do much for me but I'm hoping by the end it picks up and wows me. Also not a fan of the art style - Its not ugly, just muddy.

[@nintendianajones64]

Well well well Ooooooh Welllllll

[@doomertube7050]

This game literally created a new genre, may the Open Well Gaming commence

[@Mac.Garceau]

It's nice to see you guys spotlight indie games. Might have to check this one out.

[@CLove-mo7cc]

It’s like halo 2 meets halo 3