Well Dweller

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.

Metroidvanias have had a major impact on the indie gaming sphere and the larger AAA market for years. Plenty of approaches exist for this 2D adventure style. Well Dweller might be the best in a while, though. It's cute despite its gothic tones and hopeful even with its grim aesthetic. Especially for fans of classic exploration-centric gameplay, this might be one of 2026's best sleeper hits.

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.

Even in this crushing time of year where indies bear down like an avalanche, I couldn’t stop playing. With no time to play anything, I made time to get every achievement in the game, something I rarely ever do. And I would do it all over again if I could.

Well Dweller is an absorbing metroidvania that thrives on smooth pacing, intuitive combat, memorable enemy design, and approachable exploration. Its straightforward mechanics and more linear structure may leave genre veterans wanting greater depth, but those same qualities help create a consistently engaging sense of flow.

For those who are already fans of Sheepo, Islets, or Crypt Custodian, Well Dweller is a premier and autumnal treat. For anybody new to the Thompson metroidvania-verse, this is a great place to start – Islets is probably still my favorite, but I think the additional refinement and scope of Well Dweller makes it the most compelling overall package. While so many lesser metroidvanias grope for the buzz-mechanics – parries, difficulty, po-faced seriousness – Well Dweller proves that, if we peel back the pretension and the anxiety of influence, there is nothing quite like pure search action.

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.

Stunning game, it has to receive a perfect score! In reality it’s probably a 9.5/10 It’s a truly wonderful game and has knocked the ‘long windedness’ out of the genre. It’s fun to play and there’s plenty to keep you going. The story is absolutely fantastic.

This game is absolutely amazing. Great gameplay with a very complimentary story told in a creative ways.

I love all of Kyle’s games, and this one is another masterpiece. A fun game, delightful characters, and an engaging story. The music by his brother Eric is fantastic too. Great job, both of you!

Well Dweller من أجمل تجارب الميترويدفينيا اللي لعبتها مؤخرًا. عالمها غريب ومظلم، والاستكشاف فيها ممتع ويكافئ الفضول، مع تصميم مراحل ممتاز وأجواء لها طابعها الخاص.

Nothing is really wrong with this game, but its an easy 10 hours. Combat only gets more simple, as all the trinkets you can hoard just give passives (never anything to make combat more interesting). The Map reveals too much, and halfway through it does get a little boring