Dark fairy tale Metroidvania Well Dweller announced for Switch and PC

Crypt Custodian and Islets creator Kyle Thompson is back with something darker. Publisher Top Hat Studios has announced Well Dweller, a dark fairy tale Metroidvania launching on Switch and PC via Steam in 2026.

Well Dweller official reveal trailer

You play as Glimmer – a tiny bird with a matchstick. Your mission is to Burn the wicked queen and save your family. The journey takes you deep into a rotting kingdom at the bottom of a well. Expect strange characters, dangerous beasts, and plenty of secrets.

Along the way, you’ll meet a cast of odd survivors. Go camping with Ilda, a mouse on the run from the queen’s grasp. Explore an abandoned castle with Looter, a scavenger chasing the kingdom’s best treasures. And track down your missing siblings, taken by a crazed hunter.

Combat mixes exploration with puzzle-solving. Your matchstick doubles as a light source and a weapon. Trinkets let you upgrade abilities and tweak your playstyle. From vicious bosses to hidden paths, the goal is simple, reach the queen’s quarters and finish it.