As I’ve gotten older and have had less and less time to play games (life, ya know!?) I’ve gravitated toward single-player adventures and story-driven titles. Metroidvania games fit that bill perfectly. I enjoy the genre’s core game loop, and I also enjoy seeing the artistry behind these new releases. Some are larger and longer stories, but in my opinion, few overstay their welcome.
Well Dweller arrives as the follow-up to the highly rated and appreciated Crypt Custodian from a couple of years ago. Though I enjoyed my time with it, I rated it a little lower than the consensus. That being said, I can’t deny that developer Kyle Thompson made something pretty special.
For me, this new follow-up feels and plays far better and will undoubtedly be one of my favourite games of 2026.
Well Dweller is Dark, But Hopeful
The charm and chilling setting of Well Dweller is immediately noticeable. The game takes place in a world where a Queen reigns over a kingdom with few animals left. Birds, in particular, are nearing extinction, and the Queen has requested their feathers for her new gown. As a small family of black birds hide away in a drain, you play as the eldest sibling of four, Glimmer.
You’ll be sent to the world above to find food for your young brothers and sisters and your mom. But of course not all goes well, and your loved ones are kidnapped. So now you’re off on your adventure to find them and just maybe, also put a stop to the Queen herself.
Equipped with a matchstick as a makeshift sword, Glimmer sets out to explore and uncover what happened to their family. I truly enjoyed how the game took the opening 60-or-so minutes to help me become more invested in this family and this world. Small dialogue and quips between characters are charming, funny, and often heartfelt. Small gestures and the great dialogue go a long way in cementing how much I enjoyed being with our hero from the start.
Well Dweller does a lot right, but if you’ve played the Metroidvania genre before, you’ll already know the core elements at play here. The matchstick is your weapon, but your full arsenal isn’t truly revealed until hours into the game. I personally enjoy the genre’s drip-feed and reward system. You’ll learn how to float or glide in the air, throw your matchstick to create a springboard platform, slide on the ground, and even jump to extreme heights. No matter what I was doing or what new ability I was learning, I felt Glimmer improving and growing as a hero.
Throughout your journey, Glimmer will encounter numerous animals and obscure creatures like mice and even puppets. Each has its own reason for fleeing an oppressive ruler. Some will aid Glimmer by setting up a shop or providing map hints, while others will help lead you to your next major destination or boss fight. No matter their role in the game, they’re all lovable and charming in their own way. Short interactions and stories told through hand-drawn, storyboard-like cutscenes add to the charm that makes Well Dweller feel extra special.
The Joy of Glimmer’s Adventure
The entire time I played, the controls felt tight, responsive, and easy to understand. It may not be the most fast-paced 2D action game out there, but when push comes to shove, you need to be on your game while controlling Glimmer. Enemies in each are darare darkniqueunique, with patternsgingt range from simple melee attacks to flying fireballs, jumping kamikazes, and more.
I didn’t realize it for the first several hours of play, but the variety across the board in Well Dweller is staggering. Whether it’s the enemies, big and small, or the biomes and regions you explore. Every detail of the game feels deliberate and meaningful. Small background details and massive, incredibly fun boss battles all add up to a package that, for me, was near perfection.
Traversing the massive map is also pretty fun, with the developer creating many ways to make the experience feel less cumbersome than some others. I’ve been on the record saying I don’t enjoy how most of the travel and map system is structured in the Hollow Knight games. But here, Thompson and his team have made it fun to run, dash, and jump around, while also creating a save-point system and fast travel that not only makes sense, but respects your time. PPinning locationson the map is always a nice option, as wisthe chance to pay a small in-game fee for some collectible lspots
It really doesn’t happen often, but Well Dweller had me returning for a couple extra hours of play to tackle post-credits content and collect anything I may have missed. I’ve done this in maybe 5 games over the last decade. I put my controller down after 12 hours grabbing every collectible and earning 100% completion both in-game and through Steam Achievements. I hope fellow Console Creature and achievement hunter Steve Vegvari is proud of me!
A Little Subtlety Can Go a Long Way
But I will say, if the systems in place made this tiresome and far more mundane, I don’t think I would’ve followed through with this plan. It’s not just the fast travel but how well the game plays. I wanted to keep playing, and I wanted to help more of my new friends find their own family members and throw a secret birthday party in a far-off land. I found it enjoyable and rewarding.
The game delivers subtle touches of joy. Moment-to-moment traversal is swift and responsive, while your trusty matchstick can be upgraded with trinkets you’ll find throughout the map. These offer fun new ways to uncover secrets and move around. Some directly affect your attacks, while others buff your defence or even add small fire embers to your slide ability. Many trinkets can be upgraded on their own as you gather tokens and in-game currency from kills and opening treasure jars.
Subtlety can also describe some of the artistic choices. The game looks like a wonderful painting in motion, with character designs that always feel unique. Add a fantastic soundtrack and sound design that make the world pop, and it’s a complete package.
Glimmer may be equipped with a simple matchstick, but they still hit with power and impact. Lighting and particle effects make dark, dank areas feel old and weathered, yet still alive. I found that Well Dweller consistently delivered on every mark of its presentation.
Meeting and befriending fellow creatures also gives the game a wonderful sense of hopefulness. Despite their hardships and the oppressive world they’re consumed by, there are glimmers of brightness in this dark setting. Again, it can be subtle, but it adds up over the game’s runtime. Glimmer also isn’t a silent protagonist; they’re engaged in conversations and often ask poignant questions that help you, as the player, understand motives and give you the drive to help whoever and whatever you can.
Verdict
Honestly, there’s something I forgot in this review. Something I know I also loved about Well Dweller that made it one of my favourite games of the year. If you’re a Metroidvania fan, I’m convinced this is a must-play. A lot of quality-of-life elements push it over the edge into an exceptional title. Characters have meaningful interactions with relationships that range from goofy to serious and sad. Glimmer is a hero with a big heart and a drive to make the world a better place. It’s wonderful.
If you enjoyed the dev’s previous effort in Crypt Custodian, this is a no-brainer and, in my mind, an all-timer in the genre. There is always something to uncover, new creatures to befriend, and weird and excellently designed enemies to fight.
I had a fantastic time from start to finish and can’t wait to revisit Well Dweller in the future.
[The publisher provided a copy of the game for review purposes.]
Reviewed on: PC/Steam Deck
