Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania full of charming characters living in a wretched kingdom. Play as Glimmer- a tiny bird armed with a matchstick- who must burn the wicked queen to save his family.
I came in expecting to enjoy another Kyle Thompson game. I came away loving the art, the movement, the combat, and especially how naturally the adventure keeps opening up. Well Dweller is one of the best metroidvanias of the year, and playing through Game Pass gave me a fantastic reason to keep reaching for the ROG Xbox Ally X.
The developers decided to drop the stressful combat and over-complicated systems for a streamlined space that focuses on fun platforming, exploration and enjoying a classic fairy tale.
Well Dweller from developer Kyle Thompson is a spectacularly dark and wonderful Metroidvania action-adventure. It does nearly everything right to keep the game interesting and engaging without too much pomp and circumstance along the way.
By the time the credits roll, Well Dweller has established a clear sense of identity. Kyle Thompson’s latest adventure is built around a well-defined creative vision, prioritising exploration, atmosphere, and artistic expression over mechanical innovation. Its foundations may be familiar to anyone accustomed to the metroidvania genre, but the care with...
Well Dweller delivers an enjoyable indie experience that blends exploration, combat, and narrative, without attempting to reinvent Metroidvania games. What I liked most is its beautifully artistic world, impactful characters and story, alongside standout boss encounters and innovative gameplay ideas—specifically the mechanics involving the matchstick....
