Xbox Game Pass confirms free new Hollow Knight rival which stands out in a packed September

September is a stacked month for video games, and as developers scramble for our attention, there are plenty of puzzlers and platformers worthy of our time and money. The good thing is that Top Hat Studios' Well Dweller might not cost as much as you think if you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

Back in 2017, Team Cherry released Hollow Knight and modernised the metroidvania genre with its adorable but creepy aesthetic.

We've since had numerous expansions and a full-blown sequel in the form of Hollow Knight: Silksong and its 2026 DLC called Sea of Sorrow. While another Hollow Knight: Silksong is on the way, Well Dweller can hopefully scratch that itch in the meantime.

What is Well Dweller?

If you haven't heard of Kyle Thompson, can you really call yourself a metroidvania expert? Thompson is a prominent name in the indie scene, having previously put his hand to the lauded Crypt Custodian and Islets.

This dark fairytale metroidvania tosses you to the bottom of a well (the clue is in the name) and tasks you with playing as Glimmer. As a tiny bird armed with just a matchstick to light the way and fight enemies, Glimmer has to burn the wicked queen and save his family.

Although Well Dweller promises there are charming characters along the way to help aid us, the trailers and screenshots put more emphasis on the terrifying beasts that make your journey across the kingdom's underbelly even harder.

The description for Well Dweller explained how you'll "battle terrifying beasts and gain new abilities to expand your map. Solve puzzles, discover secrets, and unravel the mysteries that lie in this rotted kingdom."

If that sounds like your kind of game, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to play.

Well Dweller is landing on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with enhanced visuals on the latter. It's also coming to PC via Steam and GOG, as well as PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass on day one.

READ MORE: Steam free taster is Silent Hill meets Twin Peaks and the best metroidvania we've played all year

Well Dweller is free on Xbox Game Pass

While PlayStation players might be in the midst of an ongoing blackout to protest the company's axing of physical discs in 2028, they're in danger of missing out on Well Dweller's September 22 release date.

Microsoft might've had a rocky year in terms of Xbox layoffs and restructuring, but there's been some uncommonly good news after Game Pass came down in price. That makes it even more tempting to dive down deep with Well Dweller, which also comes to the subscription service on September 22.

The added bonus is that while Well Dweller is confined to PS5, last-gen Xbox gamers can also play on Xbox One.

With indie darlings known for booming in popularity thanks to being free on Game Pass, it'll be interesting to see whether Well Dweller can break through the crowd when it releases on September 22.