Animus Toil
The legend speaks of an illusive temple cursed by the evil wizard Somnus. In this experimental puzzle-adventure game, two explorers uncover the temple and dive deep into its depths, only to find connections to our own future. Will they survive the madness, or will their psyches break them first?
Estimated lifetime revenue
Free-to-play
Revenue comes from in-game items and microtransactions, which our price-based model doesn't estimate. The player count below is how many people own it, not what they spent.
Est. players
173
people who own it
Reviews
8
Review score
88%
8.8/10
Concurrent players
0
read Sep 17, 2026, 15:00 UTC
Followers
About
About the game
"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.
