Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator – Review

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to mix a Payday 2 -style cinematic heist with the clunky physics of Human: Fall Flat and the absurd humor of Overcooked , Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator is the answer. After spending hours playing both single-player and multiplayer, I can say that this is one of the craziest games I’ve ever played. Get ready to dive into a universe where mutant animals rob banks, destroy convenience stores and cause unimaginable chaos. I’ll share my full review of this title that, despite its imperfections, offers moments of pure fun.

In the game, you take on the role of a mutant animal in the service of Tony, a criminal “genius” with an extravagant personality. The game offers up to 21 levels divided into varied locations, including supermarkets, banks, military bases and even spaceships. Each mission has main objectives and optional challenges, such as collecting the letters of the word “FILTHY” or finding hidden items.

The experience can be enjoyed alone, but it’s in multiplayer, either locally or online, that the game really shines. Up to four players can team up to pull off heists, battling guards, solving puzzles and trying to survive the consequences of controls that seem to have been designed to turn any simple task into an exercise in pure hilarity.

Mechanics and Gameplay

The gameplay is a rollercoaster of emotions. At the heart of it all are purposefully janky physics that turn even simple actions like picking up a bat or opening a door into comical challenges. Each character has independently controlled arms, and you’ll need to move the analog stick to reach items or press buttons. This works well when you’re calm, but under pressure it can turn into pure chaos.

The game offers an “easy” controls mode, which simplifies some actions while still maintaining the chaotic essence of the gameplay. However, this simplification doesn’t completely solve moments of frustration, such as when you grab the wrong object in the heat of the moment or accidentally drop an important item on the ground.

Each character’s special abilities, activated by consuming bats scattered throughout the levels, add a layer of strategy (and more chaos) to the gameplay. For example, some characters can throw objects with greater force or move quickly for short periods. The game also encourages improvisation, as anything in the environment can be used as a weapon, from chairs to fire extinguishers.

Graphics

Visually, Filthy Animals does a great job of creating environments that are richly detailed and highly interactive. From the glass shards that fly when you destroy a display case to the lasers in military bases, each environment has its own personality. The character designs are comical and exaggerated, with anthropomorphic animals that look like they’ve stepped out of a cartoon.

That said, there are times when the visuals can feel a bit overwhelming, especially after a bit of chaos has set in. When all the objects are scattered around, it can be hard to spot important items. Still, the art style is consistent and fits well with the game’s irreverent tone.

Sound

The soundtrack is functional but not memorable. At times, the background music becomes repetitive, which may lead you to turn it off after a few hours. Thankfully, the sound effects make up for this lack of musical impact. The sounds of objects being thrown, tacos being chewed, and sudden explosions add a layer of humor that perfectly complements the visual chaos.

Tony, the criminal mastermind, also contributes some funny lines during missions, but his constant presence can become annoying for some players. Still, the voice work is competent and fits well with the game’s purpose.

Fun

The fun in this game is directly related to the number of people you play with. In multiplayer mode, the chaotic interactions between players are the lifeblood of the game. From stealing items while teammates try to complete objectives to accidentally “eliminating” a friend with a rocket, every match is a source of laughter.

Playing alone doesn’t offer the same experience, though. The chaos and complicated controls can be more frustrating than fun without friends to share the moment with. It’s a game clearly designed to be shared, where laughter is more important than victory.

Performance and Optimization

The game’s performance is solid, running well on both consoles and PC. Even in moments of extreme chaos, with objects flying and multiple players interacting at the same time, the framerate remains stable. I tested the game on a Steam Deck and was impressed with how fluid it was, although using controllers is much more comfortable than using a keyboard and mouse.

The only technical issue I faced was the difficulty in finding online matches. This could be attributed to the limited player base, but when I did manage to connect, the experience was smooth, with no significant lag.

Conclusion

Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator is a unique and hilarious experience that’s perfect for casual multiplayer sessions with friends. If you enjoy games that prioritize chaotic fun and humor over precision and control, this is a title worth checking out. However, solo players may find the experience limited and frustrating, and the repetitiveness of the levels may put off those looking for something deeper.

I highly recommend this game to anyone looking to laugh and have fun with a group. For those looking for a more serious or precision-focused experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

Positive Points:

• Constant humor and chaos, especially in multiplayer.
• Rich and varied environments, with high interactivity.
• Awkward physics that add to the game’s comedic charm.
• Great performance and fluidity across multiple platforms.
• Guaranteed group fun.

Negative Points:

• Frustrating controls in pressure moments.
• Solo experience is less immersive.
• Repetitive soundtrack.
• Repetitiveness in levels after a few hours.
• Difficulty finding matches online.

Rating:
Graphics: 7.5
Fun: 8.5
Gameplay: 6.5
Sound: 6.0
Performance and Optimization: 8.0
FINAL GRADE: 7.3 / 10.0