SZ
SZ
SZ
SzGames

Loading The Menagerie (2021)...

This may take a few seconds

The Menagerie (2021)

3.5 / 5
10,400 plays
action Mobile Friendly

Game Information

Developer: SZ Games
Rating:
3.5/5
Released: April 2024
Last Updated: June 2025
Technology: HTML5 (Unity WebGL)
Platform: Browser
Size: ~15 MB
Plays: 10,400
Mobile Support: Yes

Tags

action (270) mouse (1038) keyboard (1038) Mobile (519) hard (297) 2D (0) indie (1038) free (1038) html5 (1020)

About The Menagerie (2021)

Prepare to immerse yourself in the enigmatic world of The Menagerie, a critically acclaimed indie action game that challenges your instincts and sharpens your wit in ways few browser titles can. Developed for fans of truly engaging experiences, The Menagerie invites you to step through its digital doors and discover a diverse array of inhabitants, each powered by intricate AI and unique behavioral patterns.

Unlike typical action games, The Menagerie is an ecosystem all its own—a living, breathing digital exhibit where every creature moves, responds, and learns differently. You'll navigate artfully designed enclosures, each teeming with life, all rendered in charming, minimalist pixel graphics. The atmospheric soundscape—built from authentic audio clips sourced from Freesound.org—draws you in with every step, deepening the sense of discovery.

What sets The Menagerie apart are its nuanced AI-driven inhabitants. Some creatures will observe and ignore, while others cleverly adapt to your every move, predicting your path or setting up their own challenges. The newest resident, rumored to be the most intelligent yet, turns the difficulty up a notch, offering a dynamic, ever-shifting opponent for even the most strategic masterminds. Every encounter teems with surprises, making repeat visits just as thrilling as the first.

Designed for mobile and desktop, The Menagerie plays beautifully wherever you are. Controls are tight and intuitive—whether you prefer WASD or arrow keys, quick reactions and careful observation will be your greatest allies. Fans of emergent gameplay and environmental storytelling will especially love piecing together the backstory of this curious digital zoo, rewarding those with a knack for exploration and patience.

Challenge your reflexes. Outsmart the cleverest of digital creatures. Unearth the secrets lurking within each enclosure. The Menagerie isn’t just a game—it’s an experience that evolves every time you play. Are you ready to brave its corridors and prove yourself as the ultimate explorer?

How to Play

Getting started with The Menagerie is simple yet endlessly rewarding. First, click on the game window to focus your controls. Use either the WASD keys or your device’s arrow keys to navigate your character through a labyrinthine digital zoo. Your goal is exploration: uncovering the secrets of each unique enclosure and learning how its inhabitants move and behave.

As you traverse the corridors, pay attention to the creatures around you. Some will simply stroll or dart about, but others actively watch your movements and will adapt their behavior—sometimes outsmarting you if you’re not careful. The challenge intensifies as you encounter smarter, more reactive entities, so don’t rush. Observe, adapt, and plan your route carefully to avoid traps and befriend or outmaneuver the creatures.

On mobile, touch controls are seamlessly integrated, so taps and swipes translate to fluid movement. The combination of intuitive controls with the game’s steep learning curve means beginners are welcomed, but mastery takes true skill. Start slow—take time to watch the patterns of each creature and experiment with how your actions elicit different reactions. Discovering these subtle dynamics is part of the fun.

Ready for a real test? Seek out the mysterious new attraction said to be the smartest resident yet. Master it, and you’ll unlock the full thrill of The Menagerie.

Don’t forget: There are no time limits here. Enjoy every moment of wonder and challenge as you make this magical menagerie your own.

Controls

mouse
keyboard

Tips & Tricks

  • Take your time to observe each creature’s movement patterns before making your move.
  • Use corners and obstacles to break line-of-sight with smarter inhabitants.
  • Watch for subtle audio cues—unique sounds often hint at hidden features or approaching danger.
  • Experiment with different movement speeds to trigger unpredictable AI responses.
  • Replay levels and try alternative strategies—AI adapts, so change tactics often.
  • Prioritize learning from mistakes; every misstep offers clues about the creatures’ logic.
  • Keep exploring after major encounters—there are hidden secrets tucked within every enclosure.

Game Features

  • Dynamic AI creatures that react and adapt in real time to your actions.
  • Minimalist, atmospheric pixel graphics powered by the stylish Poppins font.
  • Challenging, handcrafted levels designed for replayability and strategic depth.
  • Fully mobile compatible—enjoy The Menagerie seamlessly on any device.
  • Immersive soundscape using authentic sounds from Freesound.org.
  • A storyline that emerges through environmental details and player choices.
  • Frequent updates and new attractions that keep gameplay fresh and surprising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Menagerie really free to play online?

Yes, The Menagerie is completely free to play right in your browser on itch.io—no downloads or purchases required!

Can I play The Menagerie on my phone or tablet?

Absolutely! The Menagerie is fully mobile compatible, so you can explore, solve puzzles, and challenge AI on any device.

How do I beat smarter or harder creatures?

Carefully watch their behavior and adapt your movements. Use environmental features to your advantage, and stay unpredictable!

Are there secrets or hidden areas in the game?

Yes! Keen explorers will find hidden routes, unique creature interactions, and secret lore scattered throughout The Menagerie.

Do I need to create an account to save progress?

No account is needed to play. Progress is session-based, and you can jump in or replay levels anytime without logging in.

Game Info

Rating 3.5/5
Plays 10,400
Category action
Difficulty hard
Mobile Yes
Impossible jump

Impossible jump

Kabuto Park Demo

Kabuto Park Demo

Bumpsters

Bumpsters

Dogman95

Dogman95

GET YOKED: Extreme Bodybuilding

GET YOKED: Extreme Bodybuilding

Carillon

Carillon

PUTRID SHOT ULTRA (Demo)

PUTRID SHOT ULTRA (Demo)

Dark Cards of Candlewood

Dark Cards of Candlewood

Cyber Dreamscape Battle-Deckers 2199

Cyber Dreamscape Battle-Deckers 2199

Stealth Crossword

Stealth Crossword

Terraformental

Terraformental

Viatica

Viatica

Sweetest Valentine

Sweetest Valentine

When Twilight Strikes

When Twilight Strikes

The Orchid's Edge

The Orchid's Edge

Zombotron Re-Boot

Zombotron Re-Boot

Off Day

Off Day

IF - Underfell

IF - Underfell

Teacher's Pet : Winner Takes All

Teacher's Pet : Winner Takes All

Level UP - Mario's Minigames Mayhem

Level UP - Mario's Minigames Mayhem

How to Date an Entity (and stay alive)

How to Date an Entity (and stay alive)

Average Routine

Average Routine

Deep Fry

Deep Fry

You Stole my Heart!

You Stole my Heart!

Monster Battlegrounds

Monster Battlegrounds

O'ermorrow

O'ermorrow

Post Memory

Post Memory

Without a Voice

Without a Voice

The Bastard of Camelot

The Bastard of Camelot

Backstreet Warriors

Backstreet Warriors

Midnight Mansion

Midnight Mansion

JPDE1REFRAIN - Sonata of Fire

JPDE1REFRAIN - Sonata of Fire

PEREELOUS

PEREELOUS

Silhouette Showdown

Silhouette Showdown

Shleep

Shleep

The Fallen Crown - GameBoy Color

The Fallen Crown - GameBoy Color

A Circle of Charity

A Circle of Charity

Switchblade

Switchblade

Homekeeping

Homekeeping

Super Auto Pets

Super Auto Pets

The Gray Ascendancy

The Gray Ascendancy

Yamedomo [FULL]

Yamedomo [FULL]

Q-SIDE / Hatsune Miku

Q-SIDE / Hatsune Miku

Crimson Fantasia

Crimson Fantasia

Solitaire Battle

Solitaire Battle

Plant Therapy

Plant Therapy

Elated Sorrow

Elated Sorrow

TOUCH MELBOURNE

TOUCH MELBOURNE

Sentience

Sentience

Diapers, Please!

Diapers, Please!

Baby Sniper In Vietnam

Baby Sniper In Vietnam

BTW: Beneath the Waves

BTW: Beneath the Waves

JOB HUNTING 9000 (gamejam ver.)

JOB HUNTING 9000 (gamejam ver.)

Green Memories

Green Memories

Deadly Obsession

Deadly Obsession

Dead Weight

Dead Weight

Glitch Dungeon

Glitch Dungeon

Tales of Wocdes: The Silver Protector

Tales of Wocdes: The Silver Protector

Bladeweaver Demo

Bladeweaver Demo

A Totally Normal Game About Cute Monkeys

A Totally Normal Game About Cute Monkeys

Vast Trivia Of The Void

Vast Trivia Of The Void

Inflation Roulette: Expanded

Inflation Roulette: Expanded

We Need To Talk

We Need To Talk

Your Party Blows Ass, I'm Going Home

Your Party Blows Ass, I'm Going Home

The Jig is Up!

The Jig is Up!

Birdie Bartender

Birdie Bartender

Chicken Joust

Chicken Joust

Days Without

Days Without

Amayadoru [FULL]

Amayadoru [FULL]

have your monster

have your monster

Net.Attack()

Net.Attack()

Grimstone

Grimstone

POCKET OF HORROR

POCKET OF HORROR

A House for Alesa 2

A House for Alesa 2

Oath

Oath

Robby's Day Out

Robby's Day Out

Dog's Muck Island

Dog's Muck Island

Battle for Europe 1900

Battle for Europe 1900

Trail Of Pigs

Trail Of Pigs

Astro Prospector

Astro Prospector

Ruadine [Beta Demo]

Ruadine [Beta Demo]

Late Night Visit

Late Night Visit

Manbomber

Manbomber

Shoot-Out!

Shoot-Out!

Five Nights at Freddy's NES STYLED

Five Nights at Freddy's NES STYLED

SAD SATAN

SAD SATAN

Did I Just Poop Myself by the Produce Section (Ludum Dare 50)

Did I Just Poop Myself by the Produce Section (Ludum Dare 50)

Fix My Heart

Fix My Heart

Bleak

Bleak

Crystal Depths

Crystal Depths

The Trials and Tribulations of Edward Harcourt

The Trials and Tribulations of Edward Harcourt

Deficit

Deficit

Virtuous Vanquisher of Evil

Virtuous Vanquisher of Evil

Closing at 2

Closing at 2

A House 4 Alesa

A House 4 Alesa

Kero Kero Cowboy (Demo)

Kero Kero Cowboy (Demo)

CANIDAE

CANIDAE

Surviving at Scratch 'n Friends

Surviving at Scratch 'n Friends

Xash: half-life - browser port

Xash: half-life - browser port

Pearl [DEMO]

Pearl [DEMO]

lurkers.io

lurkers.io

Rabbit Starvation

Rabbit Starvation

Casual Crusade

Casual Crusade

Gravity Storm - First Mission (Demo 3)

Gravity Storm - First Mission (Demo 3)

Crusty Proto

Crusty Proto

Upupa Bird Ninja

Upupa Bird Ninja

Bratavism

Bratavism

DELTARUNE Mockup Battle Toy

DELTARUNE Mockup Battle Toy

MOTION⚫︎REC (PICO-8 ver)

MOTION⚫︎REC (PICO-8 ver)

Honey Guardian

Honey Guardian

Fist of the Neverwake

Fist of the Neverwake

inCARceration

inCARceration

FNaF Free Edition (Ransomware Recreation/Fide Night at Fready's Sedys)

FNaF Free Edition (Ransomware Recreation/Fide Night at Fready's Sedys)

204863-A P.T. Silent Hills Demake

204863-A P.T. Silent Hills Demake

UNDYING: The Beast

UNDYING: The Beast

Sushi Gun

Sushi Gun

Dig and Delve

Dig and Delve

Hollow Knight Sign Mender

Hollow Knight Sign Mender

Trial of the Sorcerer

Trial of the Sorcerer

SOMNIPHOBIA dusttale

SOMNIPHOBIA dusttale

Delivering Hope (hololive fangame)

Delivering Hope (hololive fangame)

Stranger's Mark

Stranger's Mark

Swing and Miss

Swing and Miss

The Angel Act

The Angel Act

Long time no see, Dylan Turing

Long time no see, Dylan Turing

Light My Way

Light My Way

Super Pyonpon

Super Pyonpon

Oshi Oshi Punch!

Oshi Oshi Punch!

Gar-Type

Gar-Type

Monster Match

Monster Match

All the Better to Date You With!

All the Better to Date You With!

Bootleg Soldier Azure: ASTRAL RAVE

Bootleg Soldier Azure: ASTRAL RAVE

Sick Business

Sick Business

Inscryption Multiplayer [Fangame]

Inscryption Multiplayer [Fangame]

I accidently insulted a witch and now all of my clothes are sentient and they hate me!

I accidently insulted a witch and now all of my clothes are sentient and they hate me!

GodotOS

GodotOS

Tuna Rice

Tuna Rice

"Bowling for Apples": A Special Apples to Ashes Episode

"Bowling for Apples": A Special Apples to Ashes Episode

Sylvie RPG: 7 Elf Apocalypse

Sylvie RPG: 7 Elf Apocalypse

Hoping This Finds You Well

Hoping This Finds You Well

Dungeon Mori

Dungeon Mori

🌸 Pilla‘s Paradise ✨

🌸 Pilla‘s Paradise ✨

Minato

Minato

Wizards of Lezama

Wizards of Lezama

CivHero

CivHero

Tiny Jens

Tiny Jens

CLOCKING OUT

CLOCKING OUT

A Series of Interactive Stories Where No Matter What You Do You Are Immediately Killed by a Werewolf

A Series of Interactive Stories Where No Matter What You Do You Are Immediately Killed by a Werewolf

THE RIFLE

THE RIFLE

Someone's Watching Me

Someone's Watching Me

SPACE SAMURAI

SPACE SAMURAI

BREADSKATE Forever

BREADSKATE Forever

Time Survivor

Time Survivor

Keineged an nor

Keineged an nor

Galaxian DX (C64)

Galaxian DX (C64)

Summer Carnival '22: CrossGunr D+

Summer Carnival '22: CrossGunr D+

Arc

Arc

Pixel Survivors: Roguelike

Pixel Survivors: Roguelike

NSMB: Battle R

NSMB: Battle R

All Below Kaiju Zaibatsu [FULL RELEASE!]

All Below Kaiju Zaibatsu [FULL RELEASE!]

Social Democracy: Petrograd 1917

Social Democracy: Petrograd 1917

SILICON SCRAMBLE

SILICON SCRAMBLE

IZIO : The Pixel Kishi

IZIO : The Pixel Kishi

Soldier of Ruins: Temple of Apocalypse

Soldier of Ruins: Temple of Apocalypse

SHOOT YOURSELF WITH A RIFLE

SHOOT YOURSELF WITH A RIFLE

Ragdoll torture!

Ragdoll torture!

Robot Wars : Rise of Resistance

Robot Wars : Rise of Resistance

Skrunkly Royale II Turbo

Skrunkly Royale II Turbo

d-mons

d-mons

Please Don't Understand Me

Please Don't Understand Me

Wrecking Balloon (Game Boy)

Wrecking Balloon (Game Boy)

Mathleticus

Mathleticus

UZG Remastered (Public Beta)

UZG Remastered (Public Beta)

ARSONATE (Jam Version)

ARSONATE (Jam Version)

Those Long Dead

Those Long Dead

Witchy Werewolf Wives

Witchy Werewolf Wives

Wolf of White Waters

Wolf of White Waters

Self-Portrait, Vomit on Concrete

Self-Portrait, Vomit on Concrete

BATTLE DICE WORLD

BATTLE DICE WORLD

The Shadow Whisperer

The Shadow Whisperer

Potion Panik [demo]

Potion Panik [demo]

meatball dog

meatball dog

Radiance Apparatus

Radiance Apparatus

Animal Crossing GB

Animal Crossing GB

Waking Nightmare

Waking Nightmare

Warrior Cats Creator Game

Warrior Cats Creator Game

Out of the Yinshan

Out of the Yinshan

A Husk At Dusk

A Husk At Dusk

Anchors

Anchors

New Year's Eve, 2019

New Year's Eve, 2019

Boni+

Boni+

Sprunksters: Episode 2 - The cave

Sprunksters: Episode 2 - The cave

The Dollhouse

The Dollhouse

Dememorize

Dememorize

Weight to the dragon

Weight to the dragon

Take a break

Take a break

Devil Express: Soulstice

Devil Express: Soulstice

STARDUST SINNER

STARDUST SINNER

Idle Moon Kingdom

Idle Moon Kingdom

Sub Dragon

Sub Dragon

Razerblast

Razerblast

Don't ! Heroes : Curtain Call

Don't ! Heroes : Curtain Call

Blood and Sunlight

Blood and Sunlight

JOJO SANS FIGHT

JOJO SANS FIGHT

Tiny Tactics

Tiny Tactics

Excellent Cadavers

Excellent Cadavers

Inventory Full

Inventory Full

An Exact Map of the Empire

An Exact Map of the Empire

bloxd.io

bloxd.io

The Last Date

The Last Date

My Pixel Playground

My Pixel Playground

God Veins

God Veins

The Pazaak Battles

The Pazaak Battles

Age of Conquest IV

Age of Conquest IV

Boyband Hell ❤️‍🔥

Boyband Hell ❤️‍🔥

BLIZZ!

BLIZZ!

Trash of the Titans

Trash of the Titans

Down in the Monster Maze

Down in the Monster Maze

Salvagette

Salvagette

Project - Quest : Chapter I-IV.

Project - Quest : Chapter I-IV.

Hedgerow

Hedgerow

Blackout: Zero

Blackout: Zero

Project Earth

Project Earth

trinket tower

trinket tower

Hamizuki [FULL]

Hamizuki [FULL]

John Wick vs. Lario at 3:00 AM, Gone Wrong

John Wick vs. Lario at 3:00 AM, Gone Wrong

The Purge: Desperation

The Purge: Desperation

Fastest Gun in the West [Jam Prototype]

Fastest Gun in the West [Jam Prototype]

The Shaman, the Outsider, and the Diet of Worms

The Shaman, the Outsider, and the Diet of Worms

AF+ER

AF+ER

Capybara Village

Capybara Village

Ugby Mumba 3

Ugby Mumba 3

Game Boy Camera Gallery: Mystery Show

Game Boy Camera Gallery: Mystery Show

StarPiece

StarPiece

Butano Fighter

Butano Fighter

My Dream Date with the Yandere Serial Killer

My Dream Date with the Yandere Serial Killer

Krovnik

Krovnik

Devils Doner Kebab

Devils Doner Kebab

Cassandra

Cassandra

Machine Gun Gardener

Machine Gun Gardener

Exorcist Pianist

Exorcist Pianist

Onward Blocks

Onward Blocks

Their Aftermath

Their Aftermath

GUNWYRM

GUNWYRM

When Civilians Dig Holes

When Civilians Dig Holes

Order Automatica

Order Automatica

A Sniper's Vengeance : The Story of Linh

A Sniper's Vengeance : The Story of Linh

Hello Rogue

Hello Rogue

Murder Drones Virtual Training

Murder Drones Virtual Training

Fellow Traveler

Fellow Traveler

Mission Bringer:  Four Seasons of Krisis

Mission Bringer: Four Seasons of Krisis

Pippy's Ultimate Quest for Friendship (and Lessons)!!!

Pippy's Ultimate Quest for Friendship (and Lessons)!!!

Cards n' Varmints

Cards n' Varmints

Level 9 Access

Level 9 Access

Binnorie

Binnorie

One Last Week

One Last Week

6K

6K

DOOM: The Gallery Experience

DOOM: The Gallery Experience

Yay! Spring Trip with My Coworkers!

Yay! Spring Trip with My Coworkers!

Scrap Boy

Scrap Boy

BeatBeast

BeatBeast

Stardander Revenant

Stardander Revenant

Memento XII

Memento XII

Arcana Romance 1

Arcana Romance 1

The Noise's Jam-Packed Radical Mini Mayhem

The Noise's Jam-Packed Radical Mini Mayhem

RAT WARS SURVIVORS

RAT WARS SURVIVORS

OMORI x Yume Nikki Crossover Fangame

OMORI x Yume Nikki Crossover Fangame

Willo

Willo

Madness: Sherrif's Compound

Madness: Sherrif's Compound