The circular recess in Animal Well is a game mechanic that you may have come across. The animal-centric Metroidvania contains many different mysteries to it. This may feel like one of them, especially as they look like part of the environment. However, there is more to them than meets the eye.
When you come across these unique mechanisms, they will do nothing unless you have the item they need. Thus, you may feel unsure what to do about them. In this guide, we provide the details on how to use the circular recess in Animal Well. So that way, if you come across them, you won’t feel like you are missing something by leaving them. Luckily, they are optional and don’t halt your progress in any way. They do, however, allow access to some unique items. Therefore, if you are curious, you’ll want to see what they offer. Below, is what you need to know about them.
How to Use the Circular Recess in Animal Well
To use the circular recess in Animal Well, players need to have the appropriate medals. Each of the different recesses requires a different medal, each labeled: S, K, and E. These circular recesses are switches that players can use to unlock other areas. The recess is where the medals must be placed to unlock the door.
However, they are not just found in the open and players must have completed certain parts of the game. If you want to find all of the medals to use the circular recess in Animal Well, below you will find how.
How to Get the S Medal in Animal Well
To get the S Medal for its circular recess, players must defeat the Chameleon boss. Once this is done, return to where the boss’s room is. On the left side of the area, you will see that there is no longer anything blocking it. Head to the left and proceed through. You will see a new small room with a chest in it. Open up this chest and you will find the S Medal, which will be added to your inventory.
Next, head back to the main spawn area to start the next part of the journey. From here, go east into the next room and hop over the water to the steps leading to the middle ladder. Take the ladder down, then go the the ladder on your right. Climb up this ladder into the next room. You will see a statue with a snake on it, the S Medal can be placed in this circular recess. To get up here, make sure to use the Bubble Wand.
Upon placing the medal in the circular recess, go east. You will see two ladders, go down either and you will be in a room with a big snake. The snake will go after you and push you if it sees you. Additionally, it will die if it hits itself which you don’t want. Instead, go down to the ground of the room and to the left. Once you are under a ledge and the snake charges, jump onto the snake’s head. You will then be able to go upwards. Use this opportunity to go west into the next room. Inside is a chest, which rewards you with the Remote item.
How to Get the K Medal in Animal Well
To get the K Medal to use for its circular recess in Animal Well, you need to get three K Shards. These are obtained by using fireworks to startle the Kangaroo you encounter around the map. There are five different locations in can be around the map. Check the map below for those spots. It will drop the shards as items. Once you have all three, they form to become the K Medal. Once you acquire the medal, you can head to the top-left area of the map. In this room is the chamber where you can scare the Bat boss area with fireworks. Afterward, to the room’s left is a circular recess where you can insert the K Shards.
After inserting the shards, you will see a new opening emerge. Go through it. Upon doing so, some platforms go downward. Follow these platforms down, and at the bottom, you will see a chest. Inside is the next item you get, which is the B.ball. As you can start to see, each of the circular recess pedestals leads players to different items they can equip.
How to Get the E Medal in Animal Well
The E Medal requires players to light all nine candles with nine matches throughout the map of Animal Well. Each of these items has to be found separately but lighting them all opens a secret area in which you can find the E Medal. This one is the longest to get out of all three medals for the circular recess in Animal Well. This is due to the various areas you have to go to.
However, once done, you can head to a new room that opens to the left of the beaver room you can warp with. You will come across a fish statue, hidden behind it is a crank to use. Interact with it to raise a platform with a chest on it out of the water. Inside of this chest is the E Medal that you can claim. However, you must hurry as the platform will begin to go back into the water. Next, head to the room on the right where you encounter the Fish shooting bubbles. Climb on the bubbles and get on top of the head of the fish. There is a hidden passage on the right, continue this way. It is best to use the Top to help clear the pathway.
You will reach a new room, the circular recess is in the middle. Take the E Medal and place it there. Then there is a passage that goes down and to the left, take this. You will drop down into an area and it’s best to have an item that helps illuminate the path. Proceed to the left and keep heading this way until you land in a room with three platforms. Nothing will happen at first, but you must have the Flute and then equip it. Then, once you start playing the Bonefish will appear. You must play these notes in order: Up Left, Down, Bottom Left, Left, Bottom Left, Upper Right, Upper Left. Afterward, the fish will freeze and open its mouth. Use the Bubble Wand to climb in its mouth, inside there will be a chest. The item you get from it is the U.V. Lantern.
What Else Does the Circular Recess Do in Animal Well?
There is no other use for the circular recess in Animal Well. As soon as players insert any of the medals into each of them, the medal will stay in there. They are a switch that activates a door to a new area within the game’s map. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about doing extra when it comes to the circular recess. Additionally, the medals that are associated with them only have one purpose too. So if you come across any of the medals, be sure to look for the appropriate recesses to slot them into. Doing so only benefits you as you get some new items to go out and use.
Now you know everything about the circular recesses in Animal Well and how to use them. There are only three throughout the game but players need to get the medals to use them. Animal Well is an incredible indie title that became popular at its release and gives a great new addition to the Metroidvania genre. Whether you are new to the genre or a veteran, it is a title that you should try and check out when you can.
