From Kyle Thompson, the indie developer behind Islets and Crypt Custodian, comes a new adventure that’s as haunting as it is charming. Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania that follows a tiny bird armed with nothing but a matchstick.
First revealed during the Nintendo Indie World Showcase 2025 and featured on indie sites like GameWhims, Well Dweller immediately caught attention with its eerie atmosphere, handcrafted art style, and unusual protagonist. While there’s no official release date yet, the game is already available on the wishlist on Steam. And based on what we’ve seen so far, this is one descent you’ll want to prepare for.
The Premise: A Tiny Spark Against a Wicked Queen
Deep within an ancient forest lies a forgotten well, and at its bottom, a kingdom of shadows ruled by a cruel queen. You play as Glimmer, a tiny bird armed with a single matchstick, and the only creature brave enough to confront her.
Your mission is as grim as it is noble: burn the wicked queen before she turns your family into part of her royal gown. Blending dark fairy-tale storytelling with classic metroidvania structure, Well Dweller sets the stage for a dangerous, emotional descent where every spark of hope matters.
Gameplay Mechanics: Light, Fight, and Explore
At its core, Well Dweller is a classic metroidvania, but there’s also a mix of exploration, character interaction, and light-based combat. You are armed with a matchstick, your primary tool for lighting the dark, solving puzzles, and fending off the monstrous creatures.
As you descend through the rotting kingdom, you’ll meet a charming cast of characters trying to survive in the Queen’s twisted domain. In the trailer, Glimmer can camp with Ilda, a runaway mouse evading capture. You might also sneak through ruins with a companion named Looter, a mysterious scavenger with sticky paws. It is possible to find missing siblings who were snatched by a crazed hunter.
Combat is fast and deliberate, with trinkets you can collect and equip to upgrade or modify your abilities, allowing you to customize your playstyle. Each discovery unlocks new traversal skills and combat enhancements, steadily preparing you for the final confrontation with the Queen.
WELL DWELLER Official Reveal Trailer
Art Style & Atmosphere: Beauty Meets Decay
Well Dweller builds significantly on the artistic foundation laid by Crypt Custodian, showcasing a clear evolution in environmental detail and visual storytelling. The backgrounds are lush and layered, bringing a storybook-like charm to every corner of the well. From mossy ruins to glowing fungal caverns, each area feels like it was pulled straight from a dark fairy tale.
While the colors may be vibrant, this world is rotting.
The tone is noticeably darker and more obscure than its predecessor. The trailer hints at a kingdom in decay, populated by twisted monstrosities and empty husks that now roam the depths. It’s a sharp contrast to Glimmer and the quirky NPCs, who are small, cute, and full of personality, adding an eerie juxtaposition that enhances the unsettling atmosphere.
Well Dweller Release Date and Platforms
While a specific release date has not yet been confirmed, the game is currently slated for Nintendo Switch and PC, and is available to wishlist now on Steam.
| Detail | Info |
| Well Dweller release date | Q3-Q4 of 2026 |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch |
| Price | TBA |
Preorder Bonuses or Early Access Info
As of now, Well Dweller has no official pre-order or early access details. While pricing hasn’t been confirmed, based on Kyle Thompson’s previous titles, it’s likely to be around €19.50 on Steam. Publisher Tophat Studios has yet to launch a dedicated landing page, but they’ve already begun promoting the game across their social media channels, so fans can expect updates in the near future.
Developing Well Dweller has been a labor of love for Kyle Thompson, but not without its challenges. As Thompson candidly shared in a recent interview,
“The last six months of development aren’t very fun.”
This honest reflection highlights the intense effort behind creating the game’s haunting atmosphere and intricate gameplay, promising a polished experience when it finally launches.
I think I’m gonna grab Crypt Custodian and Islets before this comes out, just to see what Kyle’s other games are like.