Like many of the other great Metroidvania games that came before it, Animal Well provides players with plenty of options when it comes to the route that they take to the final boss. Granted, certain items are required to pass through some sections of the map, but, for the most part, players are free to tackle the game's main objectives in whatever order they like.
How Long Does It Take to Beat Animal Well?
The time it takes to beat Animal Well depends on your ability to understand the labyrinth, and if you are going for 100% completion.
Despite this freedom, though, the very start of the game is actually quite linear, with players having to pass through a short tutorial-style section before things really start to open up. With this in mind, figuring out where to go first in Animal Well is relatively straightforward, as there's only really one route that players can follow during the game's opening stages.
Where to Go First in Animal Well
Upon emerging from their flower, players should head to their right and then climb the ladder in the next area. After a little bit of platforming, they'll reach another ladder leading upward, which, just like the last one, they'll have to climb. Upon reaching the top of the second ladder, they'll see a squirrel to their left and a phone that can be used to save the game on their right. They can't do anything with the squirrel just yet, so for, now they should exit the area to the right and keep moving in that direction.
Soon, players will come across an evil spirit. They won't be able to get past the ghost just yet, so should instead double back on themselves; this time, though, taking the upper path. This will eventually lead them back to the save room, where they'll need to use the moving platform to get to the opposite side of the room. It may not look like it, but the wall on the left side of the screen here is actually hollow, allowing players to jump straight through it and continue on to their left.
When players emerge from the other side of this hidden passage, they'll need to press the yellow button in front of them and then drop down to the area below. If they then turn the crank to their right, a platform will emerge from the water, allowing them to push the yellow button on the other side. After that, they'll need to walk through the wall behind the second yellow button and follow the secret passageway to the third and final button to unlock the gate on their left.
With the gate now unlocked, players can head left and pick up the Firecracker: the first of twelve equippable items in Animal Well. They'll then want to drop down the waterfall to their left and begin making their way to the right. Soon, they'll come across another ghost, though, this time, will be able to scare it away by throwing a Firecracker at it. They'll then be free to climb the platforms on the right side of the screen, which will lead them back up to the save room from earlier on.
From here, players will need to make their way right again until they come to the ghost from earlier on. When they do, they should throw a Firecracker at it and then turn the nearby crank to raise a platform out of the water on their right. This platform can be used to reach the ladder, which will take them to an area with a rabbit in the top left-hand corner of the screen. They can't get to this cute little guy just yet though, and so should instead continue to make their way to the right.
Soon, players will come to a chest containing a map and a ladder leading up to the surface. After climbing this ladder, they'll find themselves in an area with four animal statues, which serves as a hub area of sorts. From here, they'll have quick access to the game's four main areas and will be free to tackle them in whatever order they like. Most players seem to be in agreement that it's best to get the Disc first, but some may instead prefer to go from the Firecracker to the Bubble Wand.
Unlike most modern video games, Animal Well doesn't offer players much in the way of instruction, which can make the experience a little confusing for those unfamiliar with the Metroidvania genre. For those having trouble figuring out what they're supposed to be doing, each area of the map has a boss and a magical flame that can be obtained after defeating or getting past them. These flames can then be used to light the beacons in the hub area with the animal statues, which will then unlock a brand-new area containing Animal Well 's final boss .
Animal Well
- Developer(s)
- Shared Memory
- Publisher(s)
- Bigmode
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PC , Nintendo Switch
- Released
- May 9, 2024
