Well Dweller Reviews
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.
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.
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 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.
Well Dweller won't win you over if you're waiting for a Metroidvania that reinvents the genre. Instead, it takes familiar ideas and makes them fit together so well you barely notice the seams. Combat becomes instinctive, enemies keep you paying attention, fast travel cuts the dead time, and new abilities get put to use almost immediately.
Well Dweller is probably one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve ever played. The story is fantastic, and the art leans heavily into the Grimm-like fairytale. The game encourages players to explore the entire map, hiding collectible objects, trinkets, and trinket points to level up Glimmer, the protagonist in the game. Glimmer sets out to save their family, a reluctant hero who is forced into their fate. Everything feels so good in the game: the combat, the boss battles pushing players to react rather than memorize patterns. It’s everything I love about this genre.
Well Dweller delivers a polished Metroidvania with clever traversal, a charming dark-fairy-tale world, satisfying combat, and flexible trinket builds. It may not reinvent the genre, but its confident execution makes the journey well worth taking.
Well Dweller quickly climbs from the depths to deliver an experience well deserving of a smile on your face and a few laughs along the way.
Well Dwellers ' artistic direction is some of my favourite I've seen in the Metroidvania genre, with a blend of medieval aesthetic and childhood vibes that hit perfectly in crafting its lovely, twisted world. Quick yet simple gameplay with tangible progression and rewarding exploration made me check every nook and cranny of this wonderful dark fairy tale.