Well Dweller PS5

Update []: Well Dweller has now launched on the PS Store, and I thought it would be worth highlighting that the well-received Metroidvania actually costs less than expected — especially if you're a PS Plus user.

For the next two weeks, subscribers can get a 15% discount on the game, bringing the price down to £13.59 / $16.99. There's also a demo available if you want to try before you buy.


Original Story: What if I told you a new PS5 game with a Metacritic rating of 91 and an Opencritic score of 90 is coming out today?

Silent Hill: Townfall and Control Resonant are not officially releasing until Thursday, so what could it be? Well Dweller is that game, a Metroidvania experience from single developer Kyle Thompson.

You may remember his previous effort, Crypt Custodian, was a favourite of mine, and we named it the fourth-best indie game of 2024 in our GOTY deliberations that year. Thompson is now back with Well Dweller, and it is receiving so much critical acclaim that it's ranking as one of 2026's highest-rated titles.

After 16 critic reviews on Opencritic, it's got a score of 90 and 100% of reviewers recommend the game. In the website's chart, it's the fourth highest-rated game of 2026 so far. On Metacritic, Well Dweller has a rating of 91 for the PC version, though this is best on fewer verdicts.

Here is Well Dweller in action via its release date trailer:

The game is priced at £17.99 / $19.99 and launches for PS5 today. "Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania, full of charming characters living in a wretched kingdom. Play as Glimmer — a tiny bird armed with a matchstick — who must burn the wicked queen to save his family."

Loot Level Chill - 9.5/10

Well Dweller is one of the most polished and captivating Metroidvanias I've played in years, and even in this packed season it's a must play.

Worth Playing - 9/10

Well Dweller is an excellent Metroidvania. Its combat feels good thanks to enemy tells and defensive options, while the platforming is tight and consistently introduces new ideas. Exploration strikes a good balance without becoming overwhelming, and the abilities and trinkets provide meaningful ways to customize your approach. The adventure also hits a sweet spot in both difficulty and length.

Cubed3 - 9/10

A darker take on the metroidvania formula, Well Dweller combines quirky humour, rewarding exploration, smooth movement, and helpful tools to make completion far less cryptic than most in the genre.