It is day one at PAX East, and Animal Well is making a splash. Stationed at Booth 11037, several laptops are lined up for media and gamers alike can demo this highly detailed indie title.
I had the honor of speaking with creator Billy Basso after playing the demo. For those that are unfamiliar, this developer spent over seven years crafting and perfecting Animal Well. Basso shared with me that Fez and old-school Nintendo platformers were inspirations for him. These games were clear influences as I explored Animal Well–there were hidden passages and several angles to navigate this deep, dark world.
Billy Basso has a programming background, and that’s where he began with game development. Over the years, he grew intimate with sound and graphic design, of which, both aspects were stand outs in the demo. Each time I pass by grass, hit a lantern, or splash into the water, I hear the sounds they make. Other than sound effects, my ears were flooded with moody, ambient tones. The retro-pixel art move with modern-gaming fluidity. Both art and sound design mesh well together to create a fleshed-out world in Animal Well–one that I am left wishing to explore for hours and hours on end.
Because Basso had spent several years on this project, I had to ask: when did you know you were done? Basso stated that he began with an expectation–a “grid” where Animal Well is built off of. Once he established this mapping grid, he continued to add layers where gamers can find secrets…and secrets upon secrets, he added with a sly grin. Animal Well is a game where, if bring your intellect, and if you bring your problem-solving skills, you will unearth an environment packed with surprises.
I finished my time at the booth by asking Billy what is the one thing he hopes players get from Animal Well? He explained how his game doesn’t fit perfectly into one genre. Sure, it has puzzle elements, but it’s not a puzzle game. It has platforming, but there is way more to that. Ultimately, Basso hopes players experience full immersion, and he hopes to inspire a sense of curiosity and wonder.
I know that spark has been lit for me, and I very much look forward to playing the entirety of Animal Well.
If you are at PAX East 2024, please swing by and try out Animal Well! If you can’t make it, this game will drop soon on May 9th, 2024 on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. It will be priced at $24.99 USD.
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