Zoonomaly is a first-person indie horror game set in a seemingly abandoned zoo where the animals are... not quite right. Developed by Canned Bean Studios, this game combines psychological horror, cryptid mythos, and immersive exploration in an unsettling, surreal setting. With stylized visuals, strange creatures, and unpredictable gameplay, Zoonomaly delivers a fresh take on indie horror that trades jump scares for creeping dread.
At first glance, Zoonomaly looks like a typical walking simulator—but that illusion quickly breaks. As players delve deeper into the zoo’s facilities, attractions, and enclosures, it becomes clear that something unnatural has taken over. Audio logs, cryptic signs, and distorted exhibits suggest an underlying story of strange experiments and missing staff.
This article breaks down what makes Zoonomaly stand out, from its core mechanics and setting to its psychological themes, gameplay systems, and the eerie charm that has captivated horror enthusiasts.
1. A Unique Setting: Horror in a Zoo
Zoonomaly’s setting is immediately intriguing: a once-operational zoo, now abandoned and unnaturally quiet. Instead of haunted mansions or dark forests, the game throws players into empty animal enclosures, visitor centers, aquariums, and underground labs.
Each area is detailed with remnants of normal life—brochures, food carts, children’s drawings—now twisted by decay and something far stranger. Some animals appear to be missing; others are not what they seem.
The choice of setting is clever. Zoos are places of safety and childhood nostalgia, but Zoonomaly twists that into a space of paranoia and danger.
2. The Premise and Storyline
You play as a lone investigator, sent to discover why the zoo has gone silent. As you explore, you uncover unsettling evidence: missing persons reports, radio transmissions, and journal entries left by zookeepers.
The story unfolds non-linearly. There are no cutscenes or dialogue trees—just environmental storytelling. It’s up to the player to piece together what happened, who’s behind the anomalies, and what the creatures roaming the zoo really are.
Rather than handhold, the game trusts you to discover its secrets. That makes every revelation feel earned and impactful.
3. Gameplay Mechanics and Objectives
Zoonomaly is primarily an exploration-based horror experience, but it includes puzzle-solving, stealth, and survival elements. Your goals vary per area, often requiring you to:
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Restore power to facilities
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Solve environmental puzzles
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Avoid or trap roaming anomalies
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Discover hidden documents and audio files
Some sections involve light stealth, as you hide from unnatural predators with unique behaviors. Others ask you to manipulate exhibits or navigate pitch-black tunnels.
There’s no combat system—you can’t fight your way through Zoonomaly. This increases the tension and reinforces the feeling of helplessness.
4. Creature Design and Anomaly Behavior
One of Zoonomaly’s biggest strengths is its creature design. The game features a variety of "anomalies"—corrupted or mutated animals that behave in unnatural ways.
Examples include:
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A flamingo that watches from the shadows but moves when you're not looking
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A primate that mimics your movements with sinister precision
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A lion exhibit where growling sounds echo from different corners… even when it seems empty
Each creature has distinct mechanics. Learning their patterns is crucial to survival, and encounters often feel like puzzles themselves. Their disturbing behavior keeps tension high throughout.
5. Visual and Audio Atmosphere
The visuals in Zoonomaly are stylized and deliberately lo-fi, reminiscent of PS1-era graphics. This aesthetic choice adds to the uncanny feel and masks technical limitations with nostalgic charm.
Environments are rendered in desaturated palettes, flickering lights, and eerie fog. Animal enclosures feel unnaturally still, yet always hint at hidden danger.
The audio design is masterful. Ambient soundscapes, glitching audio logs, and occasional inhuman shrieks keep the player constantly on edge. Silence is often the scariest sound of all.
6. Exploration and Map Design
The game is divided into several zones: the main zoo area, an aquarium, a reptile house, a maintenance tunnel network, and administrative buildings. Each zone offers a distinct mood and challenge.
Players can freely backtrack between areas, unlocking new paths and uncovering hidden secrets as the story progresses. The map is open-ended but guided, encouraging players to explore thoroughly without feeling lost.
Smart environmental cues—like flickering signs or fresh footprints—help lead players naturally without intrusive objective markers.
7. Themes and Psychological Horror
Beyond scares, Zoonomaly explores deeper themes. The zoo is not just abandoned—it’s haunted by corporate negligence, failed experiments, and the thin line between observation and control.
The anomalies aren’t just monsters; they represent what happens when nature is pushed past its limits. Documents hint at bioengineering, ethical collapse, and a mysterious group known only as "The Watchers."
The horror isn’t just external. The game questions the role of the observer. Are you here to help, to document, or to become part of the experiment?
8. Player Freedom and Multiple Endings
Zoonomaly features multiple endings based on your exploration, choices, and discovered secrets. Some players may leave the zoo none the wiser. Others may uncover its full truth.
There’s no explicit morality system, but actions—such as triggering alarms, freeing certain anomalies, or destroying data—can alter the ending.
This open-ended design encourages replayability and fuels community discussion and theory crafting.
