For years I've been charting design patterns that support making players feel "intrinsically motivated to explore" One of my pillars is "A sense of place", and BOY is Animal Well good at that. Here's a partial chart with things I think AW is particular good at.

This is great. 👀

I think Animal Well is riding a perfect storm of factors, letting it punch above it’s weight in reviews and attention. It’s good but I think it’s much more niche than the discussion and reaction makes it seem.