Animal Well Holds 95% Steam Rating One Year After Launch

Solo developer Billy Basso’s Animal Well, released under his Shared Memory label, keeps winning praise from both critics and players more than a year after its launch on May 9, 2024. Recently, PC Gamer revisited the game with a video review, keeping it relevant alongside major titles. The game boasts a remarkable 95% positive rating from 13,276 Steam reviews, placing it among the top indie releases of 2024.

Animal Well is a 2D Metroidvania-style puzzle-platformer that Basso created entirely by himself over about six years. This solo effort gives the game an unusual level of polish and depth. Critics often compare it to Hollow Knight, with GameSpot listing it among the 15 best games like Hollow Knight for players seeking a similarly engaging experience.

At a price of $16.74 on Steam, the game fits into a price range that generally offers good value for indie gamers. Currently, it has 227 concurrent players, reflecting the typical decline in player numbers for a title over a year old. Still, its review score remains strong, showing that those who discover the game tend to rate it highly.

The game’s design focuses on environmental storytelling and layered secrets instead of explicit tutorials or map markers. There are multiple layers of hidden mechanics—some reportedly took months for the community to fully uncover after launch. This extended discovery cycle is a key reason critics continue to highlight it as an example of smart indie design.

Basso built the game using a proprietary engine he created from scratch, a notable feat that gained attention in developer circles. By choosing to self-publish under Shared Memory instead of going with a traditional indie publisher, all revenue goes directly to him. This arrangement is rare nowadays, as most smaller studios tend to enter publishing deals.

By The Numbers

Steam Review Score	95% Positive
Total Steam Reviews	13,276
Current Steam Price	$16.74
Release Date	May 9, 2024
Current Concurrent Players	227

Not every player appreciates the game’s hands-off approach. One Steam reviewer expressed, “I must be missing something, but this never really grabbed me.” This sentiment highlights a real divide—Animal Well provides almost no guidance, rewarding those willing to explore but leaving others who prefer structured gameplay feeling lost. The 95% score indicates that most players love it, but the few who don’t often share similar criticisms.

What To Watch

• Keep an eye on whether Shared Memory announces any post-launch content, a sequel, or Basso’s next project. The success of Animal Well gives him a lot of leverage as a solo developer.
• Watch how the game performs during Steam sales. Its current price of $16.74 might already be discounted, potentially attracting a new wave of reviews and players.
• Follow the community’s progress on uncovering the game’s deeper secrets, some of which continued to surface well into 2024. It’ll be interesting to see if any remain unsolved as we head into 2025.