ANIMAL WELL (PC Digital Download)

Honcho

May 14, 2024 02:37 PM

1,799 Posts

Joined Dec 2008

HonchoMay 14, 2024 02:37 PM

1,799 Posts

So I haven't played this game yet (and I don't know what a Dunky is), but I have heard a lot about this that has me eager to check it out. Apparently the whole deal is that in addition to the surface-level game there are secrets and hidden things throughout essentially add a whole new dimension to the game after you beat the "main" game. I honestly don't know what that means, but I do know that people whose opinions I trust are loving this game and there's more to it than the simple retro Metroidvania that it appears to be when you first start it up.

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davismj

Original Poster

May 14, 2024 02:42 PM

46 Posts

Joined May 2016

davismj

Original Poster

May 14, 2024 02:42 PM

46 Posts

Quote from Xamindar

:

I'm sorry, but how is $2 off a $25 game that looks like it should have come out in the 80s a slick deal?

Where else are you going to get open well gameplay?

Metroid Prime remastered was a front page deal at full price because it was just that good. I think grabbing this game while it is on its release sale may also fall into the same bucket.

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VulnoX

May 14, 2024 02:42 PM

1,183 Posts

Joined Jan 2004

VulnoXMay 14, 2024 02:42 PM

1,183 Posts

Quote from wherestheanykey

:

No, this is an opinion based on observation.

The fact that you're not really providing a counter argument is concerning.

It's not about one YouTuber, but rather every YouTuber that markets to children.

But proof is in the pudding with Dunkey's people astroturfing this thread.

If you think Dunkey is for or markets to children then you definitely haven't observed much. He's in his mid-30s and most of his game references are from the 90s. He targets the older gaming crowd mainly, and this game is further evidence of it since it's puzzle based, non-combat, and has "retro" style graphics.

So there's the counter argument from someone that hasn't bought this game as metroidvanias aren't my usual thing and who enjoys Dunkey videos, but not a hardcore fan or anything. I am also almost 40 with two kids in grade school who have no idea who he is.

I only came here in all honesty because I was trying to understand why this was a front page deal as it has been this price since it was introduced I believe, which was almost a week ago now. If anything I don't know why this is a "deal", good game or not, at least for front page.

I think your bias is against YouTubers in general and you assume they all exist to sell to children, which man, that is definitely a big thing I see, again as I have two kids, but your overall take on Dunkey shows a lack of actual "observation".

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bageland2000

May 14, 2024 03:10 PM

1,013 Posts

Joined Feb 2011

bageland2000May 14, 2024 03:10 PM

1,013 Posts

Quote from wherestheanykey

:

No, this is an opinion based on observation.

The fact that you're not really providing a counter argument is concerning.

It's not about one YouTuber, but rather every YouTuber that markets to children.

But proof is in the pudding with Dunkey's people astroturfing this thread.

First, yes of course it's an opinion. But it's genuinely coming from a place of joy from watching his content. I am providing a counter argument. Go watch his "best of" videos at the end of each year. Search out his review of Zelda Ocarina of time. Go look at the videos he's done covering the actual development cycle of Animal Well. Watch the video he put out when he got married (super wholesome). He's one of the few reviewers who's maintained a long, consistent approach to reviews that are 100% genuine and not pandering to any studio interests. I'm not sure your point on marketing to kids. Are you concerned he's a bad influence? I'm not sure I'd agree with that. What have you seen that's concerning? Lastly, it's easy to paint with a broad brush and say that people are "astroturfing." I'm no Dunkey fanboy but I do really enjoy what he puts out. He's cultivated a LOT of funny inside jokes and funny ways of approaching his audience, but at his core he and most of his fan base are pretty genuine. If you like games, I'd really encourage you to try to watch a decent slice of his content. He's not for everyone, but he's not some shill either.

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Stennie!

May 14, 2024 03:10 PM

589 Posts

Joined May 2007

Stennie!May 14, 2024 03:10 PM

589 Posts

It's a shame that discussion of the publisher is taking the focus from what is a pretty dang good game. I think its target is a very specific niche, though. You need to enjoy a game for its atmosphere, be OK with revisiting rooms dozens of times to tinker with new tools, and have a lot of patience. The game is definitely going for more of the Metroid side of the metroidvania spectrum.

I wouldn't buy it just because you like Dunkey. And you shouldn't avoid it just because you don't like Dunkey or his fans. Get it if you have 1-2 dozen hours to explore a beautiful and densely populated map and don't mind cryptic puzzles or spending stretches of time running in circles until you stumble upon something you missed.

Last edited by Stennie! May 14, 2024 at 10:09 AM.

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VulnoX

May 14, 2024 03:35 PM

1,183 Posts

Joined Jan 2004

VulnoXMay 14, 2024 03:35 PM

1,183 Posts

Quote from wherestheanykey

:

Are you aware of other innocuous marketing campaigns that reached children through subversion?

Tobacco (again) and sugar are two of them within the past 30 years.

This game is supposedly receiving wild praise, yet it isn't even on Steam's front page.

You're clearly part of the astroturfing.

And you came here for seemingly no reason but to push whatever this agenda of yours is. You claim others are astroturfing, but it's mainly people interested in the game. You are here trying to prove... what exactly?

The game has a 91 on Metacritic, it IS on the front page of Steam under the "Top Selling" tab as the 6th top selling game on Steam, further diluting your credibility and pointing that you in fact appear to be the one trying to gaslight people.

You can check most video game review sites and find positive reactions to the game.

Dunkey is popular to a point, but he isn't so popular that he could move mountains and fake reviews.

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bageland2000

May 14, 2024 03:36 PM

1,013 Posts

Joined Feb 2011

bageland2000May 14, 2024 03:36 PM

1,013 Posts

Quote from wherestheanykey

:

Are you aware of other innocuous marketing campaigns that reached children through subversion?

Tobacco (again) and sugar are two of them within the past 30 years.

This game is supposedly receiving wild praise, yet it isn't even on Steam's front page.

You're clearly part of the astroturfing.

I'm genuinely trying to understand your point. Are you saying he's a bad influence on kids?

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VulnoX

May 14, 2024 03:40 PM

1,183 Posts

Joined Jan 2004

VulnoXMay 14, 2024 03:40 PM

1,183 Posts

Quote from wherestheanykey

:

If you believe you fall within the demographic that appeals to certain YouTube videos, you're within your right to do so.

However, when you visit YouTube or YouTube Kids without being logged in, his videos show up.

I'm not one who's big on censorship, but I spotted PewDiePie a mile away.
This newer batch of YouTubers are no different.

Just like your comment that it wasn't on Steam's front page, you lied here also. He doesn't show up on YouTube Kids when not signed in. As I noted, I have kids. They don't have YouTube Kids on their own devices, but I have it on my phone and I signed out and went in as a not-signed-in "Older kid" which is 9-12, the highest age range you can do.

I searched Dunkey, and nothing for him. Some Shrek stuff with Donkey and another puppet show about a Donkey. I tried the other two kids options for younger kids, and also nothing.

Again, I was signed out as you noted.

Yeah he shows up not signed in on YouTube, why wouldn't he? It isn't porn, I don't know what you even think is happening here.

Your comparison to PewDiePie means you don't have a clue about Dunkey's videos and this is some weird obsession with YouTubers in general. Dunkey has been on YouTube for 14 years, he isn't some new upstart you are unmasking here.

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bassdude7

May 14, 2024 03:49 PM

55 Posts

Joined May 2019

bassdude7May 14, 2024 03:49 PM

55 Posts

Quote from Emperor_Nero

:

Anyone have this on Switch? How does it compare?

Runs great on Switch. Have played 10 hours, no crashes, no stuttering.

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VulnoX

May 14, 2024 04:01 PM

1,183 Posts

Joined Jan 2004

VulnoXMay 14, 2024 04:01 PM

1,183 Posts

Quote from wherestheanykey

:

You're clearly part of the astroturfing.

Otherwise, you're trying way too hard for someone who isn't going to notice you.

Haha, no responses, just goal post moving. So just a troll and no actual point to be made, thanks for clearing it up.

I don't think Dunkey will notice me on a random Slickdeals thread and wouldn't care if he did, again, not a huge fan and haven't even bought the game.

I can call out someone that seems to just be trolling or making wildly inaccurate points on here without it coming from a point of being a fanboi. I have been on this site a long time and seen your types come and go in almost every thread.

So it's clear to me and hopefully others, you aren't making a point, you have no actual agenda as you can't articulate your issue with this game or deal. You are just a poor excuse for a troll and should be ignored.

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Emperor_Nero

May 14, 2024 04:25 PM

32 Posts

Joined Feb 2023

Emperor_NeroMay 14, 2024 04:25 PM

32 Posts

Quote from VulnoX

:

Haha, no responses, just goal post moving. So just a troll and no actual point to be made, thanks for clearing it up.

I don't think Dunkey will notice me on a random Slickdeals thread and wouldn't care if he did, again, not a huge fan and haven't even bought the game.

I can call out someone that seems to just be trolling or making wildly inaccurate points on here without it coming from a point of being a fanboi. I have been on this site a long time and seen your types come and go in almost every thread.

So it's clear to me and hopefully others, you aren't making a point, you have no actual agenda as you can't articulate your issue with this game or deal. You are just a poor excuse for a troll and should be ignored.

How about the both of you take this somewhere else? Go ahead, exchange numbers/email and flame away - and if that seems ridiculous, perhaps this isn't worth pursuing any further.

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ANIMAL WELL (PC Digital Download)

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