Well Dweller is a glorious Metroidvania made by just one person
Sometimes, the greatness of a game speaks for itself. With gorgeous visuals, compelling Metroidvania gameplay and a story that will tug at your heart strings, Well Dweller is something rather special. What makes it even more special, though, is learning it’s been made by a solo developer.
Kyle Thompson is the developer behind Sheepo, Islets and Crypt Custodian, but it’s safe to say his latest project, Well Dweller, is head and shoulders above the rest. I enjoyed the pacifist Metroivania-like exploration of Sheepo, but despite its cat protagonist, I could never get on with Crypt Custodian. Well Dweller, though, feels refined, polished, and deserving of a place amongst the great Metroidvanias. If you’re a fan of the likes of Hollow Knight, you’re going to love it.
Well Dweller casts you as a young bird named Glimmer – one of the last remaining birds in his land. The evil queen has a penchant for ripping the feathers from birds to create dresses and capes for herself – and so far, Glimmer and his family have managed to survive by hiding underground in a well. But after running out to fetch his mother some food, Glimmer is followed – and his family is taken by a hunter who’ll deliver them to the queen.
And so begins Glimmer’s dangerous quest to rescue his family. He faces a very hostile world, filled with enemies out to get him and treacherous paths filled with spikes, pitfalls and more that make traversal very difficult. It’s a challenging Metroidvania, then, but that’s part of what makes Well Dweller so good. Nothing is handed to you on a plate – you’re going to have to work to get your family back.
Glimmer doesn’t have many skills to begin with. His only weapon is a match, the light of which fades as he takes damage. You’ll need to be nimble on your feet to dodge attacks, moving in quickly to strike a hit while you can. After a while, you’ll be granted a ranged ability, letting you throw a burning projectile at an enemy. You can’t rely on it though; you’ll initially only have one throw, with melee hits charging it back up.
But rest points are generous, so if you do succumb to an enemy, you shouldn’t have to backtrack too far to get back to where you were. And in true Metroidvania style, there are numerous routes you initially won’t be able to reach, leaving you itching to come back once you gain new skills. The ability to throw your match into a wall to use it as a ledge is the first traversal skill you’ll add to your repertoire, but more will be doled out as you progress through the story.
I’ve still got a fair way to go with Well Dweller, but it’s safe to say I’m absolutely loving my time with it. It’s hard to believe this is the work of a solo developer; its level of polish and charm is off the charts. Thompson is a real talent, and if you’re a fan of Metroidvania games, this one really needs to be on your must-play list.
Well Dweller is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2 and PC.
