One of 2024’s Best Games Shadow Dropped on Xbox

One of 2024's Best Games Shadow Dropped on Xbox

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox Series X/S now has the highly-rated Metroidvania game Animal Well.
  • Critics praised Animal Well for its level design, gameplay twists, and art style.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the arrival of Animal Well on Xbox Series X/S is a game-changer for us Xbox enthusiasts! Having missed out on this gem when it first launched earlier this year, I’m thrilled to finally get my hands on what critics are hailing as one of the highest-rated Metroidvania games in history.


The critically-acclaimed game called Animal Well, created by Shared Memory and published by Bigmode (a publishing company founded by well-known YouTubers Dunkey and Leahbee), has just become playable on Xbox Series X/S as it’s been secretly released, or “shadow dropped.” This means that one of the most highly-rated games expected to be released in 2024 is now available for Xbox gamers. It was initially launched earlier this year on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4, receiving widespread praise from critics.

The reviews for the game “Animal Well” were overwhelmingly positive, resulting in an impressive overall score of 89 from critics. Critics lauded the game for its inventive level design, intriguing gameplay elements, and visually striking art style. With its exceptional reception, “Animal Well” has not only become one of the top-rated new game releases of 2024, but also one of the highest-rated Metroidvania games ever made.

It’s no surprise that many believe Animal Well will receive numerous nominations at this year’s Game Awards, and now, Xbox players can find out why. The game was quietly released on Xbox Series X/S during the Xbox Partner Preview event, making it accessible to Xbox gamers for the first time. They can anticipate their Animal Well gaming experience to be consistent with other versions of the game.

Animal Well is Now on Xbox

Despite Microsoft consistently promoting Xbox Game Pass as the backbone of its gaming approach, it was not revealed that “Animal Well” would be available on this service. Some might have assumed that “Animal Well” would appear on Xbox Game Pass due to its inclusion in PS Plus Extra when it first launched on PlayStation, but it appears that players will need to purchase it separately instead.

It’s possible that people might think because Animal Well is a day one PS Plus Extra game, it can’t be found on Xbox Game Pass. However, this isn’t always true. In fact, there are numerous instances where games are available on both subscription services simultaneously, and even for day one releases. For example, Sea of Stars was accessible on both PS Plus Extra and Xbox Game Pass at launch. So, it remains unclear as to why Animal Well is not part of the Xbox Game Pass service.

Regardless, Animal Well is certainly worth the price of admission, and sets the bar high for future games from the Bigmode publishing label. It’s an incredible Metroidvania game and one of the best in the genre, so Xbox gamers shouldn’t hesitate to check it out as soon as possible.

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2024-10-17 21:23