Animus Toil
Mindset Makers · 2023 · Puzzle, Exploration, Interactive Fiction, Psychological Horror, 2D
PC
This game is free to play. Get it on Steam →
Screenshots
About Animus Toil
"Ahead of you lies the temple of my creation."
Welcome to Animus Toil, the debut video game from Mindset Makers!
The Temple Of The Herring was a legend to the people of Thera, said to be cursed by an evil wizard known only as Somnus. Two explorers find their way into the illusive temple, finding themselves trapped in a dynamic, yet parallel path towards their own fates.
Who exactly is Somnus? Why is the temple cursed? What is the secret behind the mysterious artifacts? And how does this tale all tie into the future of our humanity?
Animus Toil is an experimental puzzle-adventure game, featuring two playable characters and randomized room sequences, giving each player different experiences. While each puzzle can be solved on their own, it is encouraged for players to exchange solutions and reach the game's end together.
Each playthrough has an estimated completion time of 1-2 hours, and there are 4 possible endings to discover.
"Proceed with curiosity."
Play the PC port for FREE! This native Windows version is the original Game Boy ROM running on GB Studio's built-in emulator and exported to an executable. This version allows for easy windows/screen-resizing, as well as plug-and-play support for controllers (such as the newer Xbox controllers, which have been tested and working).
The controls are as follows:
- Arrow Keys = move player
- Z = A/select/interact
- X = B/back
Receive the transmission in your own world.
Donate to gain access to all bonus content! This includes access to the Game Boy ROM itself, as well as an exported version for Analogue Pocket, allowing you to experience the game natively through hardware or emulation. Also included is the official soundtrack, enhanced and exported to both FLAC and MP3 formats, as well as assets to create your own physical copy.
Physical DVD-ROM copies are also available to order via the official Mindset Makers website (found on the side of this game page). These DRM-free discs include the full game and all bonus content.
Animus Toil has been tested and working on most Game Boy emulators, although please be mindful when saving is implemented. VisualBoyAdvance is recommended. For the most authentic experience, as the creator intended, play on Game Boy Color hardware using a burned cartridge (requires battery for saving) or flashcart of your choice with stereo headphones.
Thank you for playing. Good luck, explorers!
Credits:
- Story, graphics, gameplay, and music all created by Hunter Gerace.
- GB Studio engine created by Chris Maltby.
*STEAM DECK DISCLAIMER:
Unfortunately, Animus Toil has been tested on every version of Proton and currently fails to launch. Until a solution is found, we recommend using the Game Boy ROM.
DLC & expansions
What Steam players say
Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.
⠀7 found this helpful
Summary: -It's free, who doesn't like free stuff? -Great example of indie devs holding up the industry. -Solid world building even with limited dialogue. -Puzzles that can prove pretty mind-bending. This game is a great example of how indie developers are holding up the gaming industry right now. Hunter and the people at Mindset have done an amazing job creating a homage to the previous generations of game-boy games while making sure that the game feels relatively fresh. Potentially my favourite part of this game isn't the puzzles (though they're also good), its the way that Mindset has created a pretty fleshed out world even with the little dialogue they give the player. The only complaint is that the story can be a little confusing, but I think that's just a me problem. 7 or 8/10. It's free, so pick it up and give it a shot, maybe you'll love it.4 found this helpful
This is an awesome free gameboy puzzle game. You have to take it for exactly what it is. I was shocked and extremely pleased to see the ability to create and/or order a physical copy of the game. For that alone, Animus Toil has blown the vast majority of other games right out of the water.2 found this helpful
"Animus Toil" is a garbage ripoff of ancient GameBoy RPGs only worse in every respect, it doesn't even have RPG elements, it's just a top down "adventure". The developers couldn't even work out how to make this game display in 16:9, and to try cover up their inadequacy and failure at the basic task of making a game (this is worse than an RPG Maker asset flip), they're calling this "experimental". What a joke. What's the experiment, to see how bad a game can get and still have Valve accept it through Steam Direct? This features really godawful, lazy pixelcrap "art" instead of real graphics. It's hard to say if this was because the developer didn't have the skill to do the job of creating 3D visuals, or couldn't afford to hire someone who does, but it also doesn't matter. What matters is that this looks bad because of that decision, and that's a major deterrent to gamers. Games like Terraria and Stardew Valley succeeded [i]despite[/i] the bad graphics, not because of them. This is only free in a rudimentary sense... the developer has their hand out for a "donation" for this as you're expected to buy some extra DLC from Steam... digital panhandling. An eye watering $18 worth …1 found this helpful
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