Christian Donlan
EurogamerAnimal Well review - this one gets deep
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+11 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
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Series X|S / PC / PS5 / Switch - 5/9/2024
Animal Well
What lurks beneath the surface of this deceptively minimalistic adventure? In Animal Well there is more than what you see. Explore a dense interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter creatures both beautiful and unsettling, and try to survive what lurks in the dark.
- Developer
- Shared Memory
- Publisher
- Bigmode
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Critic average
89
Average of 30 scored external reviews.
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Strategic / planning-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedDefining · Curated baseline
Side-content richDefining · Curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalDefining · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Highly replayableStrongly · Curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Loot / progression-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedModerately · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyModerately · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureModerately · Curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedSlightly · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureSlightly · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavySlightly · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
Short / focusedNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidenceMixed response
Critic avg
89
30 scored reviews
Total coverage
33
3 unscored reviews
Score range
70–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Mixed response
Score range is 21–30 points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 89 across 30 scored reviews, with a 30-point spread. That suggests a mixed critic response rather than a single clear read.
How to read this
The average may hide important disagreement. Check the individual review cards and score deltas to see which critics landed above or below the pack.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 90–100 band. 3 unscored reviews add coverage context without moving the critic average.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
30 included scored reviews
90–10019 reviews · 63%
80–8910 reviews · 33%
70–791 review · 3%
Below 700 reviews · 0%
Showing 11-20 of 33 matching critic reviews. 33 total critic reviews. Page 2 of 4.
Charles Hartford
But Why Tho?REVIEW: ‘Animal Well’ Delivers Excellence That Won’t Be For Everyone (PC)
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalRichard Wakeling
GameSpotAnimal Well Review - Going Deeper
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJon Bailes
GamesRadar+Animal Well Review | GamesRadar+GamesRadar+GamesRadar+NewsaramaTotal FilmEdge
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAnimal Well Review
Published 5/9/2024
Log in and rate games to see Matched Critics alignment.
Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalNile Bowie
Nintendo LifeReview: Animal Well (Switch) - An Exceptional Metroidvania That Stands Out From The Pack
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+11 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalWillem Hilhorst
Nintendo World ReportANIMAL WELL (Switch) Review
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
-4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalShaun Prescott
PC GamerAnimal Well review
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalLauren Bergin
PCGamesNAnimal Well review – a bizarre yet brilliant Metroidvania
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalStephen Tailby
Push SquareReview: Animal Well (PS5) - Mysterious Metroidvania a Pure Puzzle Box on PS Plus
Published 5/9/2024
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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