Well Dweller, a PS5 Metroidvania with a 91 Metacritic Score, Launches Today

Well Dweller, a Metroidvania developed by solo creator Kyle Thompson, launched on PS5 today. The game has already earned significant critical attention, reaching a Metacritic score of 91 on PC and an Opencritic rating of 90 across 16 reviews, with 100% of critics recommending it.

On Opencritic's 2026 rankings, Well Dweller places as the fourth highest-rated game of the year so far. The game costs £17.99 / $19.99.

Players control Glimmer, a small bird armed with a matchstick, navigating a dark fairy-tale world to defeat a wicked queen and save his family. Reviewers praised the game's polished design and tight controls. Loot Level described it as "one of the most polished and captivating Metroidvanias I've played in years," while critics highlighted the responsive combat, consistent platforming innovations, and balanced exploration. The game strikes what reviewers called a "sweet spot" in difficulty and length, combining rewarding exploration with helpful tools that make progression less cryptic than typical entries in the genre.

Thompson previously developed Crypt Custodian, which Push Square named the fourth-best indie game of 2024. Well Dweller marks his return to indie development with similarly strong reception.