Better than Basketball, like Halo 2 meets Halo 3—these are some of the ways that Dunkey characterized Animal Well, BigMode's first album. All I can say after experiencing their thrilling foray into the gaming industry is that it's just the kind of independent game I would anticipate from Dunkey's new company and what the game market needs.
a lovely Metroidvania in 2D
Dunkey is quite specific about what he loves, as anybody who has been following him and his numerous different and entertaining videos would attest. Side-scrolling platformers are in, and Japanese turn-based role-playing games are out. Though this is partly a running joke, Super Mario Brothers 2 has been the winner of the Game of the Year award more times than any other game.
A couple of the features Dunkey adores in games are combined in Animal effectively, and it accomplishes them quite effectively. Animal Well has stunning visuals, including soft neon glows, intricately constructed levels, and a diverse sound design that never overdoes it while yet fitting the mood. But the gameplay is what actually makes the difference.
Animal Well's exploration and platforming go beyond the typical trot seen in the overdone Metroidvania subgenre. You must use a creative mind to solve problems in this game by combining different tools and strategies in novel ways. Your hands will also need to be very little since the game won't hold them. If you want to finish several of the game's most difficult tasks, frame-by-frame accuracy is required.
BigMode's Animal Well goes beyond the fundamental stages and provides a multitude of secret areas and trinkets that entice the user to explore the game further and challenge themselves every time they play. I believe Dunkey alludes to this type of replayability when he keeps going back to the 1988 masterpiece. Good games never go out of style and challenge you to be the best. That's what Animal Well aims for and, in its own ways, does.
Launching with a bang
Many of us who like Dunkey's YouTube channel, I believe, have always anticipated a gaming-related side project. Production or any of the several other options may have been the case. Dunkey is undoubtedly one of the most well-respected and outspoken gamers, and he has the audience to support his views.
I was thus curious and a bit worried when the announcement of a new gaming studio was ultimately made. Although I've never been a fan of YouTubers taking advantage of their celebrity to sell products, this seems to be a little different. This is more like to YouTube chef Joshua Weissman marketing a cookbook than it is to Jake Paul marketing energy drinks. His dishes will be delicious. I respect Dunkey's opinion since he is an avid enthusiast of independent gaming.
I saw that Dunkey hadn't missed the publication of Animal Well on BigMode's platform, which pleased me. For him and his new business, this game marks an exciting and distinctive entry into the gaming industry. As a commercial endeavor, indie games carry such a high risk, but in this instance, and so far, I believe it will be worthwhile.
Raise the independent flag
Dunkey, with over 7.5 million followers as of this writing, is a major player in the YouTube video game market. Since 2010, he has been creating content. Prior to making the varied and, to be honest, often strange material he does today, he played League of Legends. He has a lot of influence because of his enormous fan base, particularly in the independent gaming industry.
Dunkey has long had a fondness for independent films, sometimes opting to broadcast much less well-known films rather than ones he is certain would get views. Although he has always been critical of AAA releases, he has been eager to encourage obscure games, often bringing them even closer to the public eye.
Now that Animal Well has been released under the BigMode label, Dunkey can at last provide genuine assistance to the developers he adores. Being a developer in the broad and apparently never-ending independent sector may sometimes be an unappreciated job. A game's chances of taking off are greatly reduced when it gets lost in the sea of anime card games and mediocre Unity Souls-like titles.
It's not always simple to find those Diamond in the Rough titles, but we all know they exist. Take a peek at the popularity of titles like Lethal Company, Palworld, and Content Warning. It's evident that the industry is in dire need of fresh, creative solutions; finding them is the difficult part.
Several developers who may have gone unnoticed will be thrust into the spotlight with the support of Dunkey's wide readership and astute observation. Although there are many independent studios, like the amazing Devolver, the market could always need more. In light of the current situation of the AAAA game market, what we all really need is some uniqueness and a dose of independent spirit. I'm excited for whatever the future may hold.
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