Zoonomaly

Prepare for a first-person plunge into a nightmarish menagerie where cages are broken and the exhibits are hunting you. Zoonomaly, a puzzle-based horror and survival game developed and published by the solo studio LIGHTS ARE OFF LLC, launched on Windows PC via Steam on March 6, 2024. This indie title quickly garnered a "Mostly Positive" reception, captivating players with its unique premise: an open-world zoo overrun by monstrous, mutated animals, where survival hinges on solving cryptic puzzles and uncovering the dark truth behind the anomaly. Zoonomaly delivers a chilling blend of exploration, tense evasion, and mind-bending challenges, creating an unsettling atmosphere that redefines the concept of a "zoo visit."

The Gates Are Open: Unraveling the Mystery (Development & Premise)

Conceived and brought to life by a single developer known as "mikael0832" (LIGHTS ARE OFF LLC), Zoonomaly demonstrates the power of focused indie development to create a unique horror experience. The game intentionally foregoes traditional narrative hand-holding, dropping players directly into its mysterious setting.

A Zoo Gone Wrong: The Core Story

The premise of Zoonomaly is simple yet terrifying: a seemingly ordinary zoo has been consumed by an inexplicable phenomenon, transforming its animal inhabitants into grotesque, aggressive monsters. Players assume the role of an unnamed protagonist tasked with entering this desolated facility. Their mission is to find the cause of the monster infestation, put a stop to it, and ultimately escape. To achieve this, they must collect 20 scattered key shards hidden throughout the vast, open-world zoo grounds. These shards are found by navigating and solving various puzzles within each animal enclosure, each guarded by its own unique brand of horror. The non-linear design allows players the freedom to explore and tackle objectives in any order they choose, adding to the sense of isolation and discovery.

Visuals and Atmosphere: Built on Unreal Engine 4

Despite being a solo project, Zoonomaly utilizes Unreal Engine 4 to craft a visually unsettling environment. The aesthetic leans into a gritty, realistic style that enhances the horror. The game's strong ambiance is a key factor, relying on environmental storytelling and sound design to build tension. The monster designs are a particular highlight, taking familiar animal forms and twisting them into genuinely terrifying abominations unique to each enclosure. This visual distinction ensures that every new area brings fresh anxieties and keeps players on edge.

Survive and Solve: Gameplay Mechanics and Horror Elements

Zoonomaly combines elements of puzzle-solving with tense survival horror, forcing players to think on their feet while constantly being pursued.

The Hunt for Shards: Puzzle-Driven Progression

The core gameplay loop revolves around finding the 20 key shards. Each shard is located within a specific animal enclosure, and acquiring it requires solving an environmental puzzle. These puzzles range from navigating intricate mazes, activating switches, or traversing precarious platforms. While the premise is strong, some player feedback indicates a reliance on "catapult" or "trial-and-error" puzzles that can sometimes feel repetitive or frustrating, requiring precise timing and movement that, if failed, forces a restart of the puzzle section. This can lead to a sense of repetition, though the satisfaction of overcoming a difficult section is often rewarding.

Evasion and Stun: The "Bulb Gun"

Players are not entirely defenseless. They are equipped with a "bulb gun" or similar device that can momentarily stun the pursuing monsters. This is not a weapon for outright combat but a tool for evasion, allowing players precious seconds to escape or continue solving a puzzle. Managing the limited resources (like light bulbs or battery for the gun) and understanding when to use the stun mechanic adds a layer of survival strategy. The monsters, unique to each enclosure, are relentless and aggressive, often unable to be outrun for long periods, reinforcing the need for strategic use of the stun. Jump scares are also present, adding to the game's horror factor.

Non-Linear Exploration and Save System

The open-world, non-linear design is a significant feature, allowing players to explore the zoo at their own pace and choose which enclosures to tackle next. This freedom enhances replayability and encourages exploration. The game uses a manual save system, which, while giving players control, can sometimes feel tedious, especially when dealing with frustrating puzzle sections that may require frequent reloads. Some players have found that frequent manual saving mitigates frustration during difficult platforming or chase sequences.

The Unsettling Symphony: Audio Design

The audio design in Zoonomaly plays a crucial role in building its horror atmosphere.

Sounds of the Hunt: Atmosphere and Feedback

The game effectively uses sound to create a sense of dread and to alert players to immediate dangers. The distinct sounds of each monster – whether it's the skittering of a reptilian beast or the guttural growls of a primate-like creature – are designed to instill fear and provide vital audio cues. Environmental sounds, like distant roars or the creaking of structures, contribute to the unsettling ambiance. While some players noted that monster volume can be intense, the game offers settings to adjust this, allowing for a personalized horror experience. The combination of ambient terror and sudden, impactful jump scares keeps players on edge throughout their journey.

Reception and Future: A Glimpse into the Anomaly

Zoonomaly has been largely embraced by the horror game community, especially for an indie title, with players appreciating its unique concept despite some rough edges.

Player Feedback: Praise and Frustrations

The game's "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam (around 76% positive reviews) highlights its appeal. Players consistently praise the game's original concept, its effective horror atmosphere, and the creative monster designs. Many appreciate the solo developer's efforts in crafting such an ambitious project. However, common criticisms include the repetitive nature of certain puzzles (especially those involving precise launches or trial-and-error), leading to frustration when falling or failing, and the necessity for tedious re-traversal. Some also felt the ending was "lackluster" and didn't fully deliver on the build-up. Comparisons to Zoochosis were noted, but fans of Zoonomaly quickly pointed out its earlier announcement, asserting its originality.

Glimpses of Evolution: Updates and Sequels

LIGHTS ARE OFF LLC continues to support Zoonomaly with updates, adding minor features and addressing issues. There are also strong community discussions and even teasers regarding a potential "Zoonomaly 2." Players have expressed desires for features like multiplayer, more varied puzzles (beyond catapults), additional tools or weapons (like a "shotgun"), randomly generated puzzles for increased replayability, and a deeper narrative. The developer's ongoing engagement with the community suggests a commitment to expanding on the initial success and refining the experience, potentially addressing many of the current criticisms in future installments.

Final Verdict: Enter If You Dare...

Zoonomaly is a compelling and unsettling indie horror game that manages to carve out its own niche with a truly unique premise. The idea of being hunted by mutated zoo animals while solving puzzles in an open-world environment is executed with a commendable level of atmospheric dread and creative monster design. For a game developed by a single person, its scope and ambition are impressive, showcasing the developer's talent for crafting immersive horror. While the puzzle design can occasionally veer into frustration due to trial-and-error mechanics and repetitive elements, and the ending might leave some wanting more, these are minor criticisms against a strong, innovative foundation. Zoonomaly excels at creating tension, delivering genuine scares, and providing a fresh take on the survival horror genre. If you're a fan of atmospheric horror, enjoy environmental puzzles, and are brave enough to face the monstrosities lurking in the shadows of a desolate zoo, then Zoonomaly offers a terrifyingly memorable experience that's well worth exploring. Just remember to save often, and watch your back.