The dark fairy tale Metroidvania Glimmer in the Well has now launched on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. Following its release, the game quickly joined the ranks of highly-rated new titles in 2026, currently holding a media average score of 90 on OpenCritic.
Glimmer in the Well was announced last August and is developed by indie developer Kyle Thompson. Players take on the role of a small black bird named Glimmer, venturing into a dark fantasy world armed with only a matchstick. The game features side-scrolling hack-and-slash combat, large bosses, grotesque yet adorable characters, and interconnected expansive areas, with an overall style reminiscent of Hollow Knight.
As of the latest data collection, OpenCritic has included 18 reviews for A Light in the Dark, with a 100% recommendation rate from critics. Its average score of 90 places it fourth among 2026 games, though three other titles share this same score.
On Metacritic, A Light in the Dark's PC version has a score of 91 based on 7 reviews, the PS5 version has 88, and the Xbox Series X/S version has 85. Calculated by the highest average score across platforms, the game also ranks fourth in 2026, tying for second place in that score bracket with two other titles at 91 points.
Among existing reviews, Console Creatures gave it a perfect 10, praising its exploration, story, and character development; Loot Level Chill awarded it 9.5. The lowest scores on OpenCritic are several 8s, with some reviews noting minor issues with stealth segments and pacing, while others felt the game lacked truly original concepts.
A Light in the Dark is currently on a limited-time discount on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam, with a discounted price of $16.99. The end date for this offer has not been specified.