Well Dweller Reviews
Well Dweller is the kind of game that reminds me why I love indie games in the first place. It has a clear identity, a world full of personality, satisfying gameplay, and an art style that stays with you long after you’ve stopped playing.
Well Dweller is a fantastic traditional metroidvania, with incredibly well-designed challenges supplemented by a perky and upbeat dark fairytale.
A charmingly gothic riff on the Metroidvania genre, Well Dweller is a terrific expansion of the genre that has enough unique touches to stand out.
With a dark — yet hopeful — fairy tale narrative and excellent level design, Well Dweller might not reinvent Metroidvanias, but it confidently plays the genre’s greatest hits, adding its own engaging spin. It’s so good that even this platformer-challenged gamer had a great time.
Well Dweller is a must-play for fans of Metroidvania games. If you are like me and tired of digging through all the crap out there to find a great adventure, you can stop here.
Well Dweller's simplistic approach to the metroidvania genre creates a neutral void that the Kyle Thompson adventure ultimately lingers in. On one hand, it's beginner friendly and won't deter gamers not hungry for a Soulslike challenge, while on the other, it's simply not bold enough to break new ground within the genre. Well Dweller remains an enjoyable folk tale romp that, for anyone looking to take a chance on a metroidvania, is safe as houses.
Well Dweller does not wholly transform the Metroidvania genre. It undeniably features a deliciously rendered storybook world with a grim underbelly. However, some basic combat also makes it apparent that there are places where the game could have felt significantly more special. This genre is a hard nut to crack and with so many entrants year after year, it becomes increasingly challenging to differentiate from the pack. But in many ways, Kyle Thompson succeeded. And as this talented solo developer’s journey continues, I’m sure all the lessons learned will deliver something truly different and masterful.
Well Dweller does not need to reinvent the Metroidvania to succeed. Its exploration follows a familiar shape, and a few demanding movement sections could feel better. What stayed with me after finishing was its sense of progression: the next ability made me curious about the map, and the next boss made me eager to put what I had learned to use.
To me, this game is a surprise hidden gem. Everything fits together so well (pun intended). In a stacked year full of strong titles, this is another contender for my favorites of 2026.
Will you be able to burn down the wicked queen and bring back peace to the land?
Like the duo's previous games, Well Dweller is a polished take on the genre that understands what makes Metroidvanias enjoyable without overcomplicating the formula. Fans of the genre should find plenty to like, and the Thompson brothers have once again delivered a strong entry in their growing catalog.
Not every metroidvania has to be frustratingly difficult; we need games like Well Dweller that manage to appeal to everyone. It tells a great story through equally great presentation, with a cast of incredibly lovable characters, while making excellent use of metroidvania mechanics.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
A darker take on the metroidvania formula, Well Dweller combines quirky humour, rewarding exploration, smooth movement, and helpful tools to make completion far less cryptic than most in the genre.
Polished, fun, and artistically immaculate: Well Dweller is an excellent Metroidvania, held back by its lackluster longevity and a low level of challenge.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Well Dweller masterfully blends dark fantasy with fable, and its exquisite level design, combined with simple yet captivating combat, is sure to win over any Metroidvania fan in no time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
I had a superb time with Well Dweller and if you enjoy Metroidvanias, I'm sure you will, too, even if it isn't particularly revolutionary. ⛺
Well Dweller doesn't revolutionize the Metroidvania genre, but it executes its rules with exemplary precision—especially for a project created almost entirely by a single person. Exploration, skill progression, bosses, and the art style all fit together perfectly, and even the limitations of the shallow combat aren't enough to detract from the value of an adventure that captivates from the very first minutes.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Well Dweller is a polished Metroidvania featuring a fantastic dark-fairytale atmosphere and exploration mechanics that work really well. While the combat could offer a bit more variety, the boss battles and movement options more than make up for it. It doesn't aim to reinvent the genre, but it proves that a familiar formula can still work wonders when executed this well. A highly recommended adventure for fans of the genre.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Well Dweller is a delightful Metroidvania with satisfying combat, stunning art direction and really fun traversal, being an easy recommendation for anyone in the mood for a game in this genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Well Dweller is full-stop one of my favorite Metroidvanias in recent years. Its combat against standard enemies aside, everything else on offer is best in show for the genre, especially its art style, tone, and soundtrack. If you long for a melancholy metroidvania with unique abilities that doesn’t sacrifice accessibility like so many others in the space, then boy do I have good news for you about the ongoing work of Kyle Thompson.