Animal Well has managed to carve out a spot as the second best-rated game of 2024, right behind Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. However, what truly sets Animal Well apart is its incredibly compact size. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demands a massive 150GB of storage space, Animal Well gets by with just a fraction of that. It’s a game that proves that sometimes less is truly more.
With an installation size of only 33.3MB, Animal Well defies the norm of bloated game sizes. Developer Billy Basso took a unique approach in designing the game, opting for a custom engine that cuts out any unnecessary features. By utilizing low-resolution pixel art assets, Basso managed to keep the game small without sacrificing quality. According to him, the key was to focus on programming in a compact and straightforward manner.
While the PC version of Animal Well remains incredibly light in size, the console adaptations tell a slightly different story. The PS5 version, for instance, requires 101MB of space due in part to the 4K background image displayed in the console UI. Surprisingly, this background image alone surpasses the size of the actual game. Despite this increase in size, Animal Well continues to captivate players with its immersive gameplay and inventive design.
Despite its minimalist footprint, Animal Well is a title that boasts immense depth and creativity. Described as an endlessly inventive Metroidvania, the game enthralls players with its intricate world and engaging mechanics. The game’s compact size belies the vastness of its gameplay experience, proving that greatness can indeed come in small packages.
Animal Well stands as a testament to the idea that size is not always indicative of quality. With its tiny file size, the game manages to deliver a gaming experience that rivals even its largest counterparts. By prioritizing elegance in simplicity and focusing on core gameplay elements, Animal Well has succeeded in creating a truly remarkable gaming experience that defies expectations.
Leave a Reply