A dark and haunting good time.
I love a good Metroidvania, but these days it is harder and harder to find ones that really stand out. Much like every other genre out there, the deck is stacked with lots of bad and mediocre titles trying to survive on the premise alone. Well Dweller feels different right from the start. Whether it is the sharp art design or pinpoint controls, this game just stands out in a sea of clones. The deeper I got into the game, the more I enjoyed it. It takes what makes the genre so fun and capitalizes on it, while also bringing its own unique flavor. If you love the genre like I do, this is definitely one to put on your list.
Right from the outset, the world of Well Dweller feels different. This is a dark and brooding game that takes in a world of oppression. The land is ruled by an evil queen who is slowly making it a worse place and causing so many of its animals to become extinct. Players take on the role of Glimmer, who is the oldest of four siblings hidden away in a drain with his family, trying to avoid being kidnapped for their feathers, which the queen wants to use to make a new gown.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: XBOX (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
The game kicks off with Glimmer’s family sending him out for food for the family, equipped with his trusty matchstick to thwart off enemies. The first hour or so introduces the player to the world and its characters, and it does a good job of setting up the world. Shortly after that, Glimmer’s family is kidnapped and thus the adventure begins.
Well Dweller is a pretty standard Metroidvania. It has a familiar map system, and Glimmer learns new abilities along the way that aids in traversal. Pacing is a key element in these types of games, and it is executed to perfection here. Powers are granted at just the right time, and their functions are fun. Being able to create makeshift platforms with the matchstick to the standard double jump and glide mechanics, there are a lot of familiar and unique things Glimmer can do. The world is designed wonderfully, making exploration fun and not feeling like a chore.
Controls are excellent. Jumping feels good and even the combat is fun to experiment with. The game does a fantastic job of making Glimmer feel like he is growing and progressing throughout the journey, and the entire game never feels like a slog.
Enemy variety is also well done, with plenty of new foes showing up just as current combat becomes a little stale. The boss encounters are equally enjoyable with fun patterns to memorize and unique designs. This is easily the biggest strength of Well Dweller; it is so meticulously crafted that I never found myself getting bored or feeling like I was pushing through a slog. It just moves at great pace and keeps the player engaged in its world.
Finishing the game even had me coming back for more with various side quests and collectibles. I rarely want to 100% a game, but Well Dweller compelled me to keep coming back. The unique traversal and excellent fast travel system definitely aided in this. Developer Kyle Thompson did an outstanding job with the pace and systems here.
Visually the game looks incredible. I love the sharp animated style mixed with dark themes. The characters remind me of something out of Hollow Knight if it was made into an animated series about animals instead of bugs. The music is equally impressive with moody tones and shifts that really match the visuals and set the mood.
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. This is one of the best of its type in a hot minute. Do not pass up the opportunity to check out this incredibly fun, if a bit macabre, adventure.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.