Review: Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator | Xbox

Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator combines the chaos of Gang Beasts with the heist elements of Payday 2, delivering a unique and entertaining game for 1-4 players.

A Zany Gang of Misfit Animals

In Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator, you find yourself in the employ of Tony, the eccentric Filthy Animal Bossman Criminal Mastermind (who, let’s face it, probably chose his own name). Joined by a ragtag crew of animal misfits, you’ll embark on a series of daring heists that increase in scale and potential rewards. From stealing cold hard cash to securing nuclear materials, the action never stops.

Unleash Your Inner Animal

Play as one of four mutant creatures, each with their own quirky appearance. As you successfully complete heists, your characters will gain experience points, allowing them to level up and unlock new perks. Discover hidden collectibles and enjoy the satisfaction of leveling up to a modest cap of six, earning new perks like increased ammo drops and unique character skins.

Objectives, Mayhem, and Hidden Loot

Each heist presents various objectives, but you only need to complete three to successfully exit the level. Objectives range from collecting loot and smashing specific items to tracking down hidden letters spelling out “FILTHY” (Reminded me of Tony Hawks). The levels are filled with items waiting to be smashed or thrown around, providing a chaotic atmosphere. Additionally, hidden collectibles are scattered throughout the levels, offering extra challenges and rewards for adventurous players.

Weapons, Abilities, and Vending Machines

Engage in combat with the relentless guards trying to stop your heists. Utilize a variety of weapons, from rocket launchers to semi-automatic rifles, to fend them off. Your most valuable asset is your special ability, which can be charged by consuming tacos and other goodies scattered throughout the levels, granting you temporary superpowers. Vending machines also play a role, offering a range of beverages that can turn the tide of a heist, providing shields, speed boosts, and more.

Flaws in the Mayhem

While Filthy Animals brings an abundance of laughter and entertainment, it does suffer from a few flaws. The controls, intentionally adopting loose, unruly physics similar to Human Fall Flat, can be frustratingly imprecise, leading to inadvertent mishaps and challenges. Combat and item interaction can feel clunky, and grabbing the wrong objects or accidentally knocking yourself over can be a source of frustration. It’s a bit like being drunk. Some platforming sections also suffer from imprecise controls and delays.

A Riotous Co-op Experience

Filthy Animals truly shines when played with friends or loved ones. The game supports both local and online co-op for up to four players, amplifying the hilarity and fun. While multiplayer doesn’t alleviate all the issues, such as the imprecise controls, it offers a shared experience that can result in memorable and laughter-filled moments. Gather your crew and embark on this wacky adventure together.

Visuals, Sound, and Level Design

Visually, Filthy Animals impresses with its well-designed levels. The environments are filled with interactive objects and provide a visually engaging backdrop for your heists. Each level has its unique theme, ranging from a high-security bank to an underground laboratory, adding variety to the game’s visuals. The character designs are charming and quirky, capturing the essence of the misfit animals you control.

The sound design in Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator complements the chaotic gameplay perfectly. The wacky antics of the characters are accompanied by humorous sound effects, adding an extra layer of comedic value. The soundtrack, while occasionally repetitive, fits the heist theme and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.

The level design is well thought out, offering a mix of open spaces and tight corridors to navigate. Each level has multiple paths and hidden areas, encouraging exploration and discovery. While the controls can sometimes make traversal a bit challenging, the level design provides opportunities for creative solutions and improvisation.

Replayability and Longevity

Filthy Animals offers a decent amount of replayability. With multiple objectives to complete in each heist, hidden collectibles to find, and character progression through leveling up, there are incentives to revisit levels and improve your performance. The cooperative multiplayer aspect further enhances replayability, as each heist can be approached differently with a group of friends.

However, the game’s longevity may be limited for some players. While the initial heists and chaos provide plenty of entertainment, the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the limited number of levels may lead to eventual weariness. Additional content updates or DLCs could help address this issue and provide more variety for long-term engagement.

Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator is a hilarious co-op romp that combines the chaos of Gang Beasts with the heist elements of Payday 2. With its zany characters, outrageous objectives, and unpredictable physics-based gameplay, it offers a unique and entertaining experience for players seeking lighthearted fun. While it has its flaws, such as imprecise controls and limited longevity, the game’s cooperative multiplayer and engaging visuals make it a worthwhile choice for a laughter-filled gaming session with friends.