Animal Well, despite being the second best-rated game of 2024, is a tiny game in terms of file size. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the top-rated game, boasts a size of nearly 150GB, Animal Well keeps all its goodness in just 33.3MB. Developer Billy Basso aimed for compact and straightforward programming, resulting in a game that uses a custom engine without unnecessary features and low-resolution pixel art assets.
Interestingly, the file size of Animal Well varies depending on the platform. On consoles, particularly on PS5, the game takes up 101MB, which is significantly larger than on other platforms. The developer attributes this difference to the 4K image that appears as the background in the console UI when hovering over the game icon. Basso even suggests that this background image is likely larger than the actual game itself.
Despite its small file size, Animal Well has proven to be a game with unfathomable depth. Reviewers have described it as an endlessly inventive Metroidvania game that offers much more content than expected. The game’s size may be tiny, but its gameplay and experience are immense.
In a gaming industry where bigger file sizes are often equated with better quality and more content, Animal Well stands out as a prime example of how quality gameplay trumps sheer quantity. The developer’s focus on creating a streamlined and efficient game without unnecessary bloat has paid off, earning the game critical acclaim and high ratings.
As players continue to discover the wonders of Animal Well, it becomes evident that size isn’t everything in the world of gaming. The game’s small file size belies its vast world and intricate gameplay, proving that sometimes less is more. With its innovative approach to game development and focus on quality over quantity, Animal Well has set a new standard for what a compact game can achieve in terms of depth and engagement.
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