ANIMAL WELL

Developer: Shared Memory

Publisher: Bigmode

May 9, 2024

Visual

pixel
side scroll

Structure

ability gated
exploration
interconnected map
item gated
non linear
fast travel

Combat

no combat

Features

map markers
multiple endings

Sub-Genre

Metroidbrainia
puzzle heavy

Summary

Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter beautiful and unsettling creatures, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

Last updated September 28, 2026

Where to play

- Windows
- Steam Deck
- Steam
Nintendo
- Switch 2
- Switch
PlayStation
- PS5
Xbox
- Series X|S

Resources

Links

Maps

Glowkeeper

Developer / Publisher: bucketfish, oolimry

2025

98%

Very Positive

51 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- accessibility
- difficulty options
Öoo

Developer: NamaTakahashi

Publisher: Amata K.K., NamaTakahashi

2025

99%

Overwhelmingly Positive

6,898 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fast travel
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- Demo Available
- speedrun mode
- MV Lite / Adjacent
Once Glorious Artahk

Developer / Publisher: Bismuth Tales

2025

95%

Positive

41 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- top down
Leap Year

Developer: Daniel Linssen

Publisher: Daniel Linssen, Sokpop Collective

2024

97%

Overwhelmingly Positive

3,218 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- side scroll
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- Has DLC
- hand drawn
- Micro / Mini
Little Ghost

Developer: Alan Abbadessa, Eduardo Alexandrino, Law Jun Yan, Leaf Riifuneko

Publisher: Sync Book Games

Sep 22, 2026

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- new releases
- Demo Available
- hand drawn
- action
- multiple characters
Knytt Underground

Developer: Nicklas Nygren

Publisher: Ripstone

2012

85%

Very Positive

492 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fast travel
- no combat
- multiple endings
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- multiple characters
- MV Lite / Adjacent
Fez

Developer: Polytron Corporation

Publisher: Microsoft Studios, Polytron Corporation, Trapdoor

2012

93%

Very Positive

16,271 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- voxel
- isolation
- 3D
La-Mulana

Developer: GR3 Project, Nigoro

Publisher: Asterizm Corporation, EnjoyUp Games, NIS America, Rising Star Games

2012

80%

Mostly Positive

2,645 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- fast travel
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- boss gated
- Has Hub
- post game
- equipment
Oh That's Why

Developer: zilakkio

2025

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- item gated
- non linear
- side scroll
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- Game Jam Entry
- time bending
- Micro / Mini
Dark Labyrinth

Developer / Publisher: Xiaote

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- Demo Available
Derelict Star

Developer: GateEightyEight

Publisher: Luminous Tree Games

2026

94%

Very Positive

160 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- Has Hub
- isolation
- Sci-Fi
- MV Lite / Adjacent
Hirai Nya

Developer / Publisher: FirePillar2

2025

97%

Positive

31 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- pixel
- side scroll
- no combat
- Metroidbrainia
- puzzle heavy
- Differences
- cat
- Co-op
- speedrun mode
- Micro / Mini

ANIMAL WELL

Summary

Where to play

Resources

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