Well Dweller Demo launches on April 23 for Steam

Top Hat Studios and developer Kyle Thompson released a new trailer for Well Dweller, a new dark, bizarre, twisted fairy-tale metroidvania. It was announced that a demo for Well Dweller is coming to Steam on April 23, 2026.

The new metroidvania does not have a release date yet, but is expected to launch in 2026.

Below is an overview of Well Dweller and its features via Top Hat Studios:

Play as Glimmer – a tiny bird armed with a matchstick – who must burn the wicked queen to save his family before they become part of her royal gown. Venture forth into a whimsical but morbid fairy-tale landscape, and battle terrifying beasts whilst gaining new abilities to expand your world. Discover secrets, mysteries, and the riddles that rot in the underbelly of this wretched queendom.

The dark nooks and crannies throughout shelter powerful trinkets that are key to survival, and a cast of charming characters and allies – all trying to make their own way through the Queen’s twisted world – await befriending along your journey. As you explore the interconnected world, you’ll use various skills and new abilities to uncover more of the decaying Queendom’s mysteries, and just how it came to be.

Not every fable or fairy tale has a happy ending, and an imposing collection of beasts and royally-sized challenges awaits. Step into the tiny shoes (or feathers) of Glimmer, and perhaps, just perhaps, you’ll be able to re-unite all your sheltered siblings, snatched from the nest one night in a turn of events that lead to the coming of an unlikely, little hero…. Features:

• A beautifully hand-drawn, dark fairytale contrasting a wretched kingdom with charming characters
• Use your matchstick to both fight through and traverse this massive interconnected world
• Mix-and-match trinkets to tailor your playstyle with collectible abilities
• Discover and piece together broken storybooks which tell the story of the tragic land
• Gain new abilities for both you and your matchstick to unlock new areas and discover hidden secrets
• Befriend quirky characters throughout the lands, such Ilda the mouse and Looter the scavenger