A few weeks ago, most PlayStation Plus subscribers probably wouldn't have heard of Animal well. But suddenly a lot could change in a few days, as this indie puzzle game is the story of the game world and is already available to play through Sony's premium subscription service. 

Playstation Plus members can download Animal Well from the PlayStation Store at no additional cost. The game went on sale on Thursday 5/9 on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and was featured in the PlayStation Plus library after it stopped service from day one. 

Animal Well, developed by Shared Memory, a studio made up of a single developer named Billy Basso, is an indie title that falls into the "Metrology" genre. This essentially means that exploration is an important pillar, and many parts of the world are closed at first, and need to come back later with new items and the ability to progress further. 

In Animal Well, you explore an interconnected maze full of secrets to reveal and puzzles to unlock. You have to collect items to engage with your surroundings in unexpected ways and beyond your journey deep into the well, you're more in this place than meeting various creatures, but there eyes, and unraveling the biggest mystery is your goal. 

Its pixelated appearance is pretty impressive, and the game has also received early acclaim for its impressive lighting and scores, both setting a sinister and mysterious mood. Overall, Animal Well is an incredibly atmospheric game that always surprises.

Animal Well was not on many "Most Anticipated Games of 2024" lists just a few months ago, but looking back at 2024, many "best of the year" round-dashes that are why Animal Well enjoyed almost universal critical acclaim. This is one of the highest rated PS5 games of the year, according to Metacritic 1. 

Eurogamer gave the game an unusual full score, calling it "an amazingly rich Metrologania," and Destructoid was equally impressed, saying, "Animal Well is packed with more things and secrets than most other games.IGN labeled the game "a beautiful, multi-layered puzzle box that is both simply fun to play, and an utter joy to open slowly." 

Another very positive review came from our sister site,GamesRadar, who gave it an impassioned write and said, "Animal wells are stubbornly traditional in keeping you in the dark as you embark on your adventure, but you have a mystery sprinkled around that map. It is firmly on its credit as it unravels. This is an endlessly inventive metroid vanya with immeasurable depth.

Early player impressions were equally strong, with Metacritic listing a "generally favorable" user score of 8.1 at the time of writing. So it's clear that Animal Well isn't just appealing to critics. Players will also love this unforgettable puzzle platformer.  

If you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you should play as soon as possible and don't be surprised if this indie gem wins some GOTY awards when the time comes.