Zoonomaly

Zoonomaly is a horror puzzle game set in a zoo. Players are placed in a zoo overrun by monsters. To find the source of the invasion, players must explore the zoo, solve various puzzles, navigate mazes, find scattered key fragments, and piece them together to find the source of the anomaly. The zoo is teeming with various monsters, and players need to equip different deterrent weapons to stop them or move nimbly to avoid contact and continue their exploration. The game features multiple routes that change depending on the player's progress through the zoo. Will you ultimately be able to uncover the truth behind the zoo?

Strengths of Zoonomaly:

The most exciting thing about this game is that you don’t have to stick to a certain sequence of tasks, but you are free to explore the terrains yourself, choosing how and when you are going to solve all the puzzles. Check out all the features prepared for you by Zoonomaly and delve into the sinister atmosphere fully.

Get acquainted with the wildlife: The Elberelo Zoo used to contain hundreds of animals, from monkeys to elephants and they are still there, but their form somehow changed. Don’t come too close to them!

Never let your guards off: In Zoonomaly you are threatened by every living being, so you better watch your back and hope that nothing is running right towards you.

Seek the light: The shards of the keys won’t be easy to find, by the radar will help to figure out the probable location of them. Go for the light columns and try to search there.

Fight the monsters back: The mutants can’t be exterminated completely, but it is possible to confuse them with a speck of light, so don’t hesitate to win a couple of seconds in order to survive.

Overcome elaborate puzzles: The important gameplay feature of this project is riddle solving. Each piece of the keys is protected by intricate brain teasers, which will surely make you think out of the box in every sense.

Features of Zoonomaly:

Explore the Zoo: The zoo is designed as an open environment, allowing you to choose your own route.Visit different animal enclosures in any order.Search for clues scattered around the zoo.Explore mazes and hidden areas.Discover new challenges as you progress.

Solve Puzzles to Collect Key Shards: Each key shard is locked behind a unique puzzle.Complete puzzles inside animal habitats.Use observation and logic to find solutions.Unlock new shards to move closer to the final objective.Explore multiple puzzle types across the zoo.

Avoid Unusual Creatures: While exploring, you will encounter mysterious creatures roaming the grounds.Stay alert while moving between locations.Plan safe routes through the zoo.Use available tools to assist your exploration.Focus on completing objectives while navigating around obstacles.

Unlock the Final Mystery: Once you have collected every key shard. Combine the shards into a master key.Access the final locked area.Discover the truth behind the strange events in the zoo.Complete your investigation and finish the adventure.

Strategies of Zoonomaly:

Understand the Puzzle Mechanics: Before you jump into the challenges of Zoonomaly, it's essential to understand how the puzzles are structured. While they may seem difficult at first, most of the puzzles follow a specific set of mechanics that once mastered, make them much easier to solve. Take your time to observe the rules and patterns within each puzzle. Are there items you need to collect? Is there a hidden sequence that unlocks the next step? By getting familiar with the underlying mechanics, you'll unlock the puzzle-solving process much faster.

Use Your Environment to Your Advantage: In Zoonomaly, your environment plays a pivotal role in solving puzzles. Many of the game’s challenges are rooted in the surroundings you explore, and you’ll need to interact with objects or use environmental cues to move forward. Look for clues in the form of colors, patterns, or symbols that may hint at the solution. For example, certain objects might need to be moved, placed in a specific order, or activated in sequence. Always keep an eye out for items or environmental details that may seem unimportant at first—they could hold the key to your success. 

Experiment with Trial and Error: One of the most rewarding aspects of Zoonomaly is its encouragement to experiment. If you’re stuck on a puzzle, don’t be afraid to try different approaches. Trial and error is often the fastest way to discover hidden connections between items or puzzle elements. In some cases, the solution may involve combining several objects, rearranging them, or activating them in a specific order. The beauty of trial and error is that it helps you learn the game’s mechanics on a deeper level, ensuring you’re better prepared for future challenges.

Pay Attention to NPCs and Dialogue: In Zoonomaly, non-playable characters (NPCs) and dialogue play a crucial role in providing hints for puzzle solutions. While not all NPCs will give you direct answers, many of them offer subtle clues in their dialogue that can steer you in the right direction. Always pay attention to what characters are saying, even if it seems insignificant. NPCs may drop hints about certain areas, tell you about the history of the puzzle, or provide cryptic information that unlocks the solution.

Player Comments of Zoonomaly:

Although arguably annoying to traverse, this game far surpassed my expectations and ended up being far more fun than I initially anticipated. I love the puzzle/parkour aspect of the game and I would absolutely play this again. This is such a fun game and I would highly recommend playing it.

This game was quite fun and took me a while to beat. I would recommend getting it on sale though. But there still are some problems and things that should be added.There are several things that should be added:1. Multiplayer: This would be a cool game to play with friends, you can play the main story with friends or there could be a PvP mode where one player is a monster. There would also be more shards in multiplayer.2. Randomly Generated Puzzles: This would make the puzzles a bit more unique and add more replayibility.3. Steam Workshop: Custom made maps with these creatures would be fun and would add even more stuff to do in multiplayer. There would also need to be a level maker too.4. Upgrades: This could make the weapon much more powerful and stun enemies much longer.5. Some New Mechanics: The mechanics in this game get a little old after a while and it would be nice if there was more tools that could be used. Maybe a shotgun or something.Well, overall I still enjoyed it and may replay it eventually.

So after having just finished this game, I think I can give it a fair and informative review. The ambiance? Good. Sounds? Good, if not a bit grating at times (though monster volume can be turned down and even muted in the settings). Monster design? Good. There are a few creatures that definitely stand out, and I liked coming across new ones as I moved around the zoo. With that out of the way, lets get into the actual game-play.The first thing that I want to say about it is that this game is 90% trial-and-error. I spent the first 30 minutes echoing the sentiments reflected in this game's bad reviews; each time I fell from a scaffold or missed my target and had to traverse the entire puzzle again (and depending on the enclosure, avoid being mauled by the residents) I found myself becoming more and more frustrated. I don't think I would have left a bad review, but I certainly wouldn't have said much if not for one fairly obvious revelation that ultimately saved my play-through.You can save at any point, and it only takes a few seconds to quit to the menu and reload your save.I recommend the following: each time you reach a new platform or make a successful jump, save your game. If you fall, just quit and reload. It takes very little time to reload a save and it saves you from having to traverse the puzzle again and collect more light bulbs in order to do so. Having figured this out, the game is actually quite fun if you don't mind a bit of trial-and-error in your puzzles. If played this way, you'll find that this game is a fun little atmospheric puzzle game with non-linear progression and an interesting concept.The one thing that I will say regarding this method is that you can't really use the save-and-reload method during the final boss fight, because each time you reload the game the door to that area is reset and you have to use the key open it again. I reloaded inside the room and was effectively locked inside, and the boss only spawns after the door is unlocked, so I couldn't even allow it to kill me in order to respawn outside. Having said that, it's not quite a soft-lock. I was able to unlock the door from the inside after pressing myself against the door and trying a few times. I'm not sure how, but I will say that it's possible; I fired a bloom-blast at the door around the time that it seemed to work, so if you find yourself in a similar situation give it a shot.

Conclusion:

Immerse yourself in a realm of boundless creativity as you encounter formidable mods showcasing an array of exclusive monsters and elusive creatures. Tailor every detail of your in-game experience with finely detailed skins and textures, enabling you to customize every aspect of your game.