Games similar to this that are solvable to at least 99% without external help?

[kannakamui.de]

I'd really like to know similar games like this where the puzzles are not behind some weird things or even put outside the game or where you have to dive into the games files to solve stuff.

I loved how this game managed to let you finish the whole game (except for one puzzle) without the need of setting you up with big storylines, gazillion texts that contain maybe 1-2 words you need or stuff.
You just explored a beautiful world the way you want and solve everything mostly intuitively as the puzzles are so well build they explain themself without too much side stuff.

I'd really love to play more like that. Any ideas ?

[pimanrules]

Tunic is structured similarly, with layers of puzzles only the deepest of which require extraordinary leaps/outside resources. It plays quite differently though.

[gamatecal]

I don't really think there is a game like that. This type of niche genre (open world, exploration, puzzle platformer?) is all about 4th wall breaking, needing you to record information and possibly use outside sources for the more demanding puzzles.

The game that started it all would probably be Fez, and is less demanding, but still retains that mystery, exploration, and puzzle solving.

A hidden gem like Moonstone Equation is another, but never got recognition. The approach is a little different.

Inscryption is widely popular, and is really well crafted. But that is more of a linear progression than exploration. It still has those exploring moments, but the linear progression doesn't make the game any less enjoyable.

I don't know.. this is a very niche experience that most games don't do because its either a hit or a miss.

[kannakamui.de]

Originally posted by gamatecal:

I don't really think there is a game like that. This type of niche genre (open world, exploration, puzzle platformer?) is all about 4th wall breaking, needing you to record information and possibly use outside sources for the more demanding puzzles.

I don't mind screenshotting stuff and fiddle it together in paint or stuff.
What I don't want is stuff where you have to like dig into games files to find some text, image or stuff there. I want my puzzles IN the game. Gladly this game (at least to my knowledge) has only one outside part, the pixel-image-drawing thing. I don't like it but its okay, its just one.
FEZ was way too overtuned and took it way too far. I want to have fun, like in Animal Well.

I played inscryption but never got warm with it because I was too dumb for the card game so I dropped it lol

[gamatecal]

Then yeah, check out Tunic and/or Moonstone Equation. Tunic is a bit more friendly than Moonstone Equation, though no one has fully solved Moonstone Equation either. The amount of note taking in Moonstone Equation is almost at an absurd level, but you may be into that. Don't want to spoil why xD

[Dana Lexa]

Environmental Station Alpha is also a lot like Animal Well, especially in that the game itself starts as a straightforward Metroidvania, and can be completed without getting into the major puzzles, but the postgame is increasingly complex and esoteric. I do think the backtracking was more annoying than I've found it in Animal Well, and the puzzles might have been more obscure/annoying, but I ended up using a guide to finish up both, so I think they're pretty comparable but whether or not it hits the same "sweet spot" of complexity (or busywork running around) is up to personal preference.

[kannakamui.de]

Originally posted by gamatecal:

Then yeah, check out Tunic and/or Moonstone Equation. Tunic is a bit more friendly than Moonstone Equation, though no one has fully solved Moonstone Equation either. The amount of note taking in Moonstone Equation is almost at an absurd level, but you may be into that. Don't want to spoil why xD

Sounds interesting.
Too many notes might be bad since I got a slight dementia :D
thanks!

Originally posted by Dana Lexa:

Environmental Station Alpha is also a lot like Animal Well, especially in that the game itself starts as a straightforward Metroidvania, and can be completed without getting into the major puzzles, but the postgame is increasingly complex and esoteric. I do think the backtracking was more annoying than I've found it in Animal Well, and the puzzles might have been more obscure/annoying, but I ended up using a guide to finish up both, so I think they're pretty comparable but whether or not it hits the same "sweet spot" of complexity (or busywork running around) is up to personal preference.

Thanks, never heard of that ever. Gonna check out!

[Kituss]

Seconding Environmental Station Alpha for the great postgame stuff! Knytt is fun and has got a few iterations, Knytt Underground being the latest one - big screen-based non-linear platformer with no combat and lots of secrets to find... might be one of the inspirations for Animal Well as it really feels like a lost 2010s indie exploration platformer :)

Elephantasy and its sequel, Elephantasy Flipside, are criminally underrated! The first one really feels like Animal Well's long lost cousin, while the sequel is harder and more cryptic. You should check out Rain World as well if you haven't done so already, but it's very unique and harder to get into.

EDIT: Oh, another close one is You Have To Win The Game!! Free on Steam!

[rawdanger]

It isn't platforming, but The Witness definitely does this without going insanely far off the deep end aside from maybe one or two puzzles.

[Axyraandas]

So you like environmental puzzles... Hm. Monospaced Lovers is alright about that, but it does have some reading. There's quite a few visual novels that blend puzzles and riddles into their gameplay, but those are all about reading. Point and click games like Samorost can have very little reading, and many puzzles. Void Stranger has quite a few meta-puzzles in it, but it's a sokoban puzzler that can get difficult. vivid/stasis has ARG elements, but it's very heavy on the 4-key rhythm gameplay. It's tough to find good meta-puzzlers.

[Taehl]

I'll suggest a classic: Cave Story. With the exception of "what are all the steps you have to do to unlock the secret bonus challenge level at the end?", no walkthrough or FAQ is ever needed.

And in case you haven't played it yet: The Outer Wilds.

[Mr. Be Nice to Me Plox]

Fez is the closest by far, followed by Elephantasy Flipside, ESA, Tunic, and Void Stranger (in that order)

Originally posted by Axyraandas:

It's tough to find good meta-puzzlers.

each one that pops up is like a little treasure trove of love that I'll talk about until the day I die

[symphony]

how about puzzle games in general? baba is you and lingo are my recommendations for some outside the box thinky stuff

[Ragnardo]

I am not sure why La Mulana has not come up, maybe it's too hard? you CAN do La Mulana without external help if you are a god of puzzle solving, I loved it but had to use the net for a few parts. I hear part 2 is a bit easier to play but man, for Puzzle type MVS that first one was amazing.

[Axyraandas]

Originally posted by Ragnardo:

I am not sure why La Mulana has not come up, maybe it's too hard? you CAN do La Mulana without external help if you are a god of puzzle solving, I loved it but had to use the net for a few parts. I hear part 2 is a bit easier to play but man, for Puzzle type MVS that first one was amazing.

La Mulana and solving everything mostly intuitively... hah

[hololulu]

Not super similar, but Lorelei and the Laser Eyes just came out!