《動物井》（Animal Well）是由來自芝加哥的軟體工程師Billy Basso獨立開發、Bigmode發行的類銀河惡魔城（Metroidvania）解謎探索遊戲，於2024年在Nintendo Switch、PlayStation 5與PC平台推出，Switch實體版在2025年販售。以像素美術與獨特的光影特效聞名，雖然採用復古風格，但運用現代渲染技術賦予畫面豐富的層次與細節，營造出神秘又略帶詭譎的氛圍。

劇情刻意保持極度隱晦，主角是從花孵化出來的奇特生物，周圍充滿各種奇異的動物與詭異的環境。故事並沒有傳統的劇情敘事或對話，而是透過場景細節、隱藏物品與動物的行為暗示世界觀。需要自己去推敲井底的秘密、動物的真正角色，以及主角為何會出現在這個封閉的地下世界。這種神秘感讓遊戲更像是一場互動式謎題，而非單純的線性冒險。

操作方面，採用簡單的開放式橫向探索玩法，可以跳躍、攀爬、互動與使用特殊物品，但沒有傳統的戰鬥系統。重點在於解謎與探索，井中的環境設計精巧，充滿隱藏通道、機關與需要反覆思考的謎題。會獲得一些奇特的道具，例如泡泡棒、溜溜球或放煙花的裝置，這些道具不只是單純的功能物，更常常需要靈活運用於多種場合，甚至可以用非預期的方式解開謎題。由於遊戲沒有明確指引，探索過程完全依賴玩家的觀察力與創意。

市場反應方面，在發售後獲得高度評價，特別是在獨立遊戲社群中引起討論。玩家與評論者一致讚賞其獨特的關卡設計、謎題深度與高自由度的探索方式。許多人稱其為「現代像素解謎的巔峰之作」，並認為它將經典復古風格與創新玩法結合得非常成功。不過，也有部分玩家指出，由於缺乏明確提示與目標，對新手可能不太友善，容易在某些謎題卡關過久。但整體而言，憑藉獨特的氛圍、出色的設計與耐人尋味的探索感，成為2024年最受關注的獨立解謎遊戲之一，尤其在Switch掌機平台上，其短暫但多次可重玩的遊戲節奏，特別適合零碎時間遊玩。

"Animal Well" is a Metroidvania-style puzzle exploration game independently developed by Chicago-based software engineer Billy Basso and published by Bigmode. It was released in 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC, with the physical Switch edition launching in 2025. Known for its pixel art and unique lighting effects, the game combines retro aesthetics with modern rendering technology, giving the visuals a rich sense of depth and detail while creating a mysterious and slightly eerie atmosphere.

The storyline is deliberately kept highly obscure. The protagonist, a peculiar creature hatched from a flower, finds itself surrounded by strange animals and bizarre environments. There is no traditional narrative or dialogue; instead, the world’s lore is hinted at through environmental details, hidden objects, and the behavior of various animals. Players must deduce the secrets of the well, the true roles of the animals, and the reason why the protagonist exists in this sealed underground world. This sense of mystery makes the game feel more like an interactive puzzle than a straightforward linear adventure.

In terms of gameplay, it offers simple, open-ended side-scrolling exploration with the ability to jump, climb, interact, and use special items—though it lacks a traditional combat system. The focus is on puzzle-solving and exploration, with the well’s environment carefully designed to include hidden passages, mechanisms, and puzzles that require repeated thought. Players can obtain unusual items such as a bubble wand, a yo-yo, or a firework launcher. These items are not merely functional but often require creative use in different scenarios, sometimes even solving puzzles in unexpected ways. Without clear guidance, exploration relies entirely on the player’s observation skills and ingenuity.

Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, especially within the indie gaming community. Players and reviewers praised its unique level design, puzzle complexity, and high degree of exploration freedom. Many hailed it as "the pinnacle of modern pixel puzzle games" and considered it a masterful fusion of classic retro style with innovative gameplay. However, some players noted that the lack of explicit hints or objectives could make it unfriendly to newcomers, as certain puzzles could lead to prolonged roadblocks. Overall, with its distinctive atmosphere, excellent design, and intriguing sense of discovery, it became one of the most talked-about indie puzzle games of 2024. On the Switch platform in particular, its short yet highly replayable gameplay loop made it especially suitable for quick, on-the-go sessions.