Well Dweller

Well Dweller is a hand-drawn dark fairy tale Metroidvania from Kyle Thompson, the developer behind Crypt Custodian and Islets. At its heart is Glimmer, a tiny bird whose family was kidnapped by a hunter. His journey takes him through a crumbling kingdom to the evil queen, whom he must reach with his most unusual tool: a burning match.

The game combines exploration of an interconnected world with platforming, boss fights, puzzles, new movement abilities and a melancholic, quirky cast of characters.

Well Dweller releases on Sep 22, 2026. The launch includes PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. On PC and Xbox, the game is available via Xbox Game Pass from day one.

The Nintendo Switch version also runs on Switch 2 and receives additional technical improvements there. Nintendo lists the game in the store as Switch software and shows the Switch 2 features directly on this version.

Well Dweller is available for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. The Xbox version supports Smart Delivery and Xbox Play Anywhere; Microsoft also lists the game as optimised for Series X|S. On Switch, the game supports TV, tabletop and handheld modes, as well as cloud saves.

The Switch version can also be played on Switch 2 and benefits there from additional improvements to visuals and performance.

The world of Well Dweller opens up step by step through new abilities. Glimmer explores ruins, caves and other areas of the decayed kingdom, solves environmental puzzles, discovers secret paths and fights large, sometimes grotesque enemies. New movement and combat abilities continuously expand which parts of the map can be reached.

Between battles, Glimmer meets characters such as Ilda, a small mouse on the run from the Queen, or the plunderer Looter. The search for Glimmer's siblings links these encounters to the actual progress through the world.

On Windows, Well Dweller requires at least Windows 10, 4 GB RAM, an Intel Pentium E2180 or AMD Athlon Dual Core 4450e or comparable processor, and a GeForce GT 220 or Radeon HD 4650. For installation, Steam lists only 1 GB of free storage.

Glimmer's match is more than a narrative motif. It serves as a light source in dark areas and is also used in combat. In this way, Well Dweller connects the visual idea of the little bird with a lasting game mechanic: light, exploration and attack interlock directly.

Trinkets can be found in the world and improve Glimmer's abilities. Several of them can be combined, so you can put together different focuses for exploration and combat. The trinkets complement the permanently unlocked movement abilities of the Metroidvania progression.

Players of Well Dweller on Switch 2 get several system-specific improvements according to Nintendo: higher resolution, improved rendering and texture quality, and a higher frame rate. Nintendo also lists a Boss Rush mode as a Switch 2 enhancement. The features are documented on the official store page for the Nintendo Switch version.